Windows 7 start menu and shortcuts point to wrong location and are unchangable?!?

[justJuhTai]

Hi.

Hopefully someone is able to help. I recently purchased a new PC that I've decided to run Windows 7 on once again, having a personal dislike of Windows 8.

Currently the system is running 1 SSD for the operating system and 1 HDD for programs and other files. Wanting to seperate my OS from my HDD as much as possible, I searched these forums for a solution to allow me to place my Program Files and Program Files (x86) on the HDD.

In doing so - I found a Regedit solution that involved editing 2 Reg keys under %systemroot%\syswow64\regedit - I changed the ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86) values so that they now point to my F drive over my C drive.

However, in doing so I have found that although the programs install okay - when a shortcut is generated on the desktop and in the start menu, the Path does not match with the files location and instead points towards the C drive. I have tried going into the properties of the file itself and editing the shortcuts so that they point towards the F drive - however upon pressing Apply and Ok - the path reverts back to it's previous C drive state, despite clearly editing it moments ago.

Has anyone had similar? Is there a solution I am missing at this point? I would love to hear it!

 

[justJuhTai]

Why play with regedit? The reason is quite simple.

Most programs are set to automatically write to the C drive (or the name of the drive where your operating system is situated).

In some cases, there is no option to install on any other hard drive, an oversite I feel in a lot of cases. For example, installing the Nvidia 380.20 drivers via the Nvidia Experience system - it simply installs. no file location options. no playing around. Just straight up installs.

The regedit itself allows you to ensure that these programs install *only* on the drive of your choice automatically.

Not to mention it's also a slight convenience when given the option to where a program puts its files - as I can simply zip through the installer without having to edit the location Lazyness on that front for certain.