x86 Program Files directory (registry keys) change makes no effect

Hi there:

Thought I might just go to the "official" site for support Anyway I've
got the 64-bit installed, glad it's based on 2003 Server, it runs smoother
then x86.

I understood that in x86, if you go
HLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion in registry and change the
default ProgramFilesDir and CommonFilesDir to somewhere else ("D:\Program
Files" in my case), then all the installation will go install to where I
pointed it at. However, I noticed that in 64-bit there are two additional
keys for 32-bit programs. Of course I did what I usually do and changed to
"D:\Program Files\x86" for 32-bit and "D:\Program Files\x64" for 64-bit, also
the common files directories too.

Problem is, for 64-bit programs it will redirect to where I changed it to
but the 32-bit ones just won't, it'll keep going into "C:\Program Files
(x86)" directory... Is there something I missed? Please help Thanks!

 

I am not sure you can do this at all. The redirection is carried out behind
the scenes, and I think that the system depends entirely on this practice in
order to do the 64/32bit trick. The processor is having no problems running
both types of processes - it is specifically built to do that, but the OS
needs to maintain an Iron Hand in a Steel Glove to manage the task.

Tony. . .

PS. I, myself is the sort of person that used to dream up various schemes to
set-up's that would fit in more nicely with my own way of working, and I
deliberately kept away from XP and stayed with my trusted Win2K until the
64bit came along. This is becoming so complex that you risk sabotaging your
self, I strongly advice to get used to sticking with the way of the system.
It will be aggravating at times, but it will be nice to. So much you can
stop thinking and worrying about.

 

The System is Your Friend, Steve.

 

Indeed DP... well I just resized the partitions and Ghost the x64 back to
C:... guess I'll just have to keep them at default location now huh Well
that's alright I don't use that PC too often anyway.

Thanks again.

 

You can move it, but I don't recommend it. Look in the WOW6432Node for the
locations of what you need to change.

 

You don't want to change these after installing.
You can change them before install by creating a slipstream install (via
tools like nLite).

Even then you have a minor problem with the install being a little off:
- WordPad (path) entries in the registry are not updated durring install,
need to do a search/replace
- There some other files that are still added to the old ProgramFiles path,
these can be moved into the 'correct' folder after install (the paths in the
registry are correct).

I set my ProgramFiles path to c:\App (and c:\App(86), and the SetupFiles
path to c:\Set.
Been running like this since Jan without a problem.


cmk