Program Files - Folder Move Program

Running Windows 8.1. What I want to do is move a program to a new
folder under program files. I create the new subdirectory and copy the
files to it and delete the original subdirectory. The program runs fine
from the new subdirectory. I change all the shortcuts to point to the
new subdirectory. But when I run the program using the icons in which I
have changed the shortcut location windows reinstalls it to the original
subdirectory I want to move it from and also recreates the deleted
subdirectory and changes all the shortcuts back to the recreated
subdirectory. So how do you move a program and make windows understand
that is where you now want to run it from? How does windows decide to
recreate a deleted subdirectory and put the program back in it? Since
the install program has been deleted how does windowst even find the
files that have been moved?

Hopefully what I wrote here is not too confusing.

Bill

On Sat, 27 Sep 2014 15:12:08 -0800, "Bill Bradshaw"
wrote:

Running Windows 8.1. What I want to do is move a program to a new
folder under program files. I create the new subdirectory and copy the
files to it and delete the original subdirectory. The program runs fine
from the new subdirectory. I change all the shortcuts to point to the
new subdirectory. But when I run the program using the icons in which I
have changed the shortcut location windows reinstalls it to the original
subdirectory I want to move it from and also recreates the deleted
subdirectory and changes all the shortcuts back to the recreated
subdirectory. So how do you move a program and make windows understand
that is where you now want to run it from?


There is an occasional exception, but as a general rule, you can *not*
move a program. You end up with many important references to the
program, in the registry and elsewhere, pointing to the old location
and screwing everything up.

The way to do what you want is to uninstall the program, then
reinstall it in the place where you want it.

"Bill Bradshaw" wrote in message . ..
Running Windows 8.1. What I want to do is move a program to a new
folder under program files. I create the new subdirectory and copy the
files to it and delete the original subdirectory. The program runs fine
from the new subdirectory. I change all the shortcuts to point to the
new subdirectory. But when I run the program using the icons in which I
have changed the shortcut location windows reinstalls it to the original
subdirectory I want to move it from and also recreates the deleted
subdirectory and changes all the shortcuts back to the recreated
subdirectory. So how do you move a program and make windows understand
that is where you now want to run it from? How does windows decide to
recreate a deleted subdirectory and put the program back in it? Since
the install program has been deleted how does windowst even find the
files that have been moved?

Hopefully what I wrote here is not too confusing.

Bill


Does the installer program list where it installs the files?
If so, then try uninstalling the program, run the installer
again and edit the location to your preferred layout.

Bill Bradshaw wrote:
Running Windows 8.1. What I want to do is move a program to a new
folder under program files. I create the new subdirectory and copy the
files to it and delete the original subdirectory. The program runs fine
from the new subdirectory. I change all the shortcuts to point to the
new subdirectory. But when I run the program using the icons in which I
have changed the shortcut location windows reinstalls it to the original
subdirectory I want to move it from and also recreates the deleted
subdirectory and changes all the shortcuts back to the recreated
subdirectory. So how do you move a program and make windows understand
that is where you now want to run it from? How does windows decide to
recreate a deleted subdirectory and put the program back in it? Since
the install program has been deleted how does windowst even find the
files that have been moved?

Hopefully what I wrote here is not too confusing.

Bill



Program Files folder is owned by TrustedInstaller, which is
a service rather than an account (something I learned only
the other day).

Attempts to write to Program Files folder, result in the
material being redirected to the roaming folder. Where the
folder is no longer owned by TrustedInstaller. The OS is
designed, so that if you "view" Program Files, the
contents of roaming folder display in there as if the file
was really in the folder. When it isn't.

The "redirect to roaming" behavior was added for backward
compatibility, so programs which wrote "preferences" into
their Program Files folder, would get to keep the results.

It's also possible, that TrustedInstaller implements Windows File
Protection. But I can't find enough details to know what
TrustedInstaller (Windows Modules Installer) does with respect
to attempts to replace Program Files contents. Your symptoms suggest
the stuff is being put back somehow.

And those are some hints, why you shouldn't do it that way,
to a modern (booby trapped) OS.

Paul

"Bill Bradshaw" wrote in message
. ..
Running Windows 8.1. What I want to do is move a program to a new
folder under program files. I create the new subdirectory and copy
the files to it and delete the original subdirectory. The program
runs fine from the new subdirectory. I change all the shortcuts to
point to the new subdirectory. But when I run the program using the
icons in which I have changed the shortcut location windows reinstalls
it to the original subdirectory I want to move it from and also
recreates the deleted subdirectory and changes all the shortcuts back
to the recreated subdirectory. So how do you move a program and make
windows understand that is where you now want to run it from? How
does windows decide to recreate a deleted subdirectory and put the
program back in it? Since the install program has been deleted how
does windowst even find the files that have been moved?

Hopefully what I wrote here is not too confusing.

Bill

The program is SlimCleaner and does not allow you to pick an install
directory. Probably for security reasons. Thanks for the replys.

Bill