New Application Install Path

[Carol]

When installing new apps is it best to accept the default
path? I don't always like what a program is named and
usually rename them in Explore after install is done so
they make sense to me and I can find and organize them in
the folders I prefer on the opening menu reached from
START. I know at least doing it this way I am only
changing a short cut and leaving the working parts where
they were originally installed on set up. I was just told
to do that on the initial install instead. i.e. when
given the choice of a default path instead putting in my
own. A simple ex: Installing Dream Catcher's Nancy Drew
Game which I eventually want under "GAMES" in my opening
menu. Instead of the default should I put C:\Games\
(accept the default from here on)? All thoughts on this
much appreceiated. I was told by letting every new app
load under Program Files it will slow my system down. Is
this true?

[peter]

I frequently tell programs where I want them to be installed.As an =
example I do not want a game to install under my work directory so I =
point it to my Game/name of game.
This does make it easier to find under start/programs and also keeps my =
desktop cleaner.
One Game folder on the desktop has all my games in it instead of 10 =
different icons on the desktop.
I also shorten the name of the install directory during =
installation...Dream Catcher Nancy Drew becomes simply Catcher as an =
example.Using 2 HD I can then dictate where I wish the program to be =
placed so that one HD does not become too full and therefore slower.
peter
"Carol" > wrote in message =
...
| When installing new apps is it best to accept the default=20
| path? I don't always like what a program is named and=20
| usually rename them in Explore after install is done so=20
| they make sense to me and I can find and organize them in=20
| the folders I prefer on the opening menu reached from=20
| START. I know at least doing it this way I am only=20
| changing a short cut and leaving the working parts where=20
| they were originally installed on set up. I was just told=20
| to do that on the initial install instead. i.e. when=20
| given the choice of a default path instead putting in my=20
| own. A simple ex: Installing Dream Catcher's Nancy Drew=20
| Game which I eventually want under "GAMES" in my opening=20
| menu. Instead of the default should I put C:\Games\=20
| (accept the default from here on)? All thoughts on this=20
| much appreceiated. I was told by letting every new app=20
| load under Program Files it will slow my system down. Is=20
| this true?


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[Sharon F]

I change mine all of the time. I have Windows on C: and all of my programs
installed on D: One of the screens during setup asks you to confirm the
location of the program. That path can be changed then and there. (Run the
"custom" installation if the default choices don't offer this opportunity.)

It really is up to you where you want the program installed but *please*
make your changes only during the program's installation. If you change
folder names after the installations, you can break the programs. Unless you
are fully aware of the consequences, do not change any of the file names in
the program's folders either.

You can change the names of folders and shortcuts that are displayed in the
Start Menu folders. These *start menu items* are separate and distinct from
the *actual program folders and program files.*

Change the start menu items however you see fit. Doesn't matter when - right
after the program installs or months later. The only folders I recommend
leaving alone in this area are Programs, Accessories and Startup since many
installation routines will look for these specific names.

You may want to read up on shortcuts a bit. Shortcuts are a very useful and
basic tool in Windows. The shortcuts point to objects (files, folders, etc).
You can have many shortcuts in various locations (desktop, start menu, in a
toolbar) that point back to a single target that resides in a single
location.


--
Sharon F
Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User


Carol wrote:
> When installing new apps is it best to accept the default
> path? I don't always like what a program is named and
> usually rename them in Explore after install is done so
> they make sense to me and I can find and organize them in
> the folders I prefer on the opening menu reached from
> START. I know at least doing it this way I am only
> changing a short cut and leaving the working parts where
> they were originally installed on set up. I was just told
> to do that on the initial install instead. i.e. when
> given the choice of a default path instead putting in my
> own. A simple ex: Installing Dream Catcher's Nancy Drew
> Game which I eventually want under "GAMES" in my opening
> menu. Instead of the default should I put C:\Games\
> (accept the default from here on)? All thoughts on this
> much appreceiated. I was told by letting every new app
> load under Program Files it will slow my system down. Is
> this true?

[Unknown]

I created a new file and call it 'download'. I download everything into it.
When I need something and I know I downloaded it , I merely search for
download and open it. Doing this also gives me the oportunity to have two
levels of a program. Example: I download and install program x. Six months
later I download update for program x. However after a few days it causes
problems. I can then delete it and reinstall the earlier version. Hope this
makes sense.
"Carol" > wrote in message
...
> When installing new apps is it best to accept the default
> path? I don't always like what a program is named and
> usually rename them in Explore after install is done so
> they make sense to me and I can find and organize them in
> the folders I prefer on the opening menu reached from
> START. I know at least doing it this way I am only
> changing a short cut and leaving the working parts where
> they were originally installed on set up. I was just told
> to do that on the initial install instead. i.e. when
> given the choice of a default path instead putting in my
> own. A simple ex: Installing Dream Catcher's Nancy Drew
> Game which I eventually want under "GAMES" in my opening
> menu. Instead of the default should I put C:\Games\
> (accept the default from here on)? All thoughts on this
> much appreceiated. I was told by letting every new app
> load under Program Files it will slow my system down. Is
> this true?

[Alex Nichol]

Carol wrote:

>When installing new apps is it best to accept the default
>path? I don't always like what a program is named and
>usually rename them in Explore after install is done so
>they make sense to me and I can find and organize them in
>the folders I prefer on the opening menu reached from
>START

I very rarely do accept it. First I often want to choose a different
partition, and even if I decide to let it be in Program files I rarely
want to satisfy
"Bloggs Software\Bloggs wonder\Bloggswun version 6.7\"
- so it gets something *much* truncated. And usually also select a
folder that is already there in the Start Menu system, rather than
letting it make one of its own at the top level. Though even then I
find I am editing out entries after for Readme, License, even uninstall.


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
Bournemouth, U.K.