How to change the default disk for installing programs in Windows 11

Let's talk about how to change the default disk for installing programs in Windows 11. As you well know, Windows installs new applications by default on the main drive, usually identified as C:. Depending on its storage capacity, This unit can become saturated quickly. Therefore, it's helpful to know how to change the default installation location. Let's get started.

Why change the default disk for installing programs in Windows 11

Before getting into the nitty-gritty, it's worth understanding the reasons behind this change. First, change the default disk for installing programs in Windows 11. It is an excellent way to optimize system performanceThis is because when you free up space on your main drive, your operating system runs more smoothly.

Of course, if you want to change the default installation location, it's because you have a secondary drive or partition. To make the most of it, you can set it as the primary drive for installing new applications. So, you get a better balance in the distribution of available storage, avoiding saturating one unit while the other remains almost empty.

Ultimately, changing the default disk for installing programs in Windows 11 is the best option if you want to optimize your system and take advantage of the available storage capacity. How do you do it? There are several methods: from System Configuration, by modifying the registry, or by using third-party tools.

Method 1: From System Settings

This is the easiest way to change the default disk for installing programs in Windows 11. From System Configuration it is possible manage the installation location and select the drive of your choiceLet's start by detailing the procedure and then look at the main disadvantage of this method.

1. Go to the System settings from the start menu or by pressing the Windows + I combination.
2. Sign in System - Storage.
3. Go to the end of this section and click on Advanced storage settings.
4. Choose Where new content is stored.
5. In the option New applications will be saved in, choose the desired disk (for example, D: or E:).
6. Click on Accept and ready.

As you can see, it's easy to change the default disk for installing programs in Windows 11 using this method. As a reminder, You must have a secondary disk installed or have created a partition on the primary disk. to appear among the save options.

Furthermore, This change will only affect new apps you install from the Microsoft Store.Programs whose installer (.exe) you run from the Downloads folder, USB drives, or installation discs will be installed on the primary drive. To also install these programs on the secondary drive or partition, you must use the following method.

Method 2: Editing the Windows Registry

Editing the Windows Registry is the most comprehensive and effective method if you want to change the default disk for installing programs. This way, all programs, including those installed via executable files, will be saved to another drive. However, keep in mind that incorrect registry editing can cause system problems. Therefore, it is a good idea to perform a Windows 11 backup before making any changes. The steps to follow are as follows:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit in the text field, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_ \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion
3. In the right section of the list, look for the keys ProgramFilesDir y ProgramFilesDir (x86).
4. Double-click each one and you'll see a pop-up window with two sections: Value Name and Value Data. In the latter, you'll see C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86), respectively.
5. Edit the Value Information by the path of the new unit (example: D:\Program Files).
6. Finally, restart the team to implement the changes.

This will set the new drive or partition as the default for installing all apps, both those from the Microsoft Store and executable files. If an error occurs during the process, you can always Restore your backup in Windows 11 so that everything returns to normal.

Method 3: Change the default disk for installing programs with third-party apps

Suppose you have several programs installed on your computer and you want to move them to another drive or partitionDoing this would be very useful to free up space on the main drive and take advantage of the free space on another drive. And the best way would be to transfer programs without having to uninstall and reinstall them on the new drive. Is this possible? Yes, in addition to changing the default disk for installing programs, you can also move already installed programs to a new disk or partition.

Two of the applications you can use are FolderMover and EaseUS All PCTransThe first is a simple application that creates symbolic links to redirect system access to a new location. The second is a much more professional and comprehensive program with various storage management options. Either one is perfect for moving programs. from one drive or partition to another without reinstallation.

For example, to use FolderMove You just have to download the portable file and run it as Administrator. The next step is a piece of cake: Select a source folder and a destination folder, the latter on the new drive or partition. Finally, just click Move and set Symbolic link and The program will move the folder to the new location and create a symbolic link to it. This way, Windows will access the new directory as if it were the original, while freeing up space on the main drive.

Here's how you can change the default disk for installing programs in Windows.

If you've just installed a new drive on your computer, you'll probably want to make the most of all that storage space. One way to do this is to change the default drive for installing programs: You let the primary unit rest and assign a secondary one to install the new applications.

As we have seen, the most effective way to make this change is to edit windows registryRemember that this is a delicate process, so follow the steps carefully to avoid surprises. Once completed, you'll notice how your computer's performance improves while making efficient use of the available storage space.