Windows 10: Changed my programfilesdir and now I can't do anything

Discus and support Changed my programfilesdir and now I can't do anything in Windows 10 Support to solve the problem; Hello guys, So I tried to change the installation path of everything to my 2tb external D: drive becuz my hard drive only has 150gb. I did this:... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Support' started by l4johnny, Apr 26, 2017.

  1. l4johnny Win User

    Changed my programfilesdir and now I can't do anything


    Hello guys,

    So I tried to change the installation path of everything to my 2tb external D: drive becuz my hard drive only has 150gb.

    I did this:

    Open regedit (Start > Run > "regedit"). Then find "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion". Now look in the right pane. Change "ProgramFilesDir", "ProgramFilesPath", "ProgramW6432Dir" and "ProgramFilesDir (x86)". If your secondary drive letter is D:\, then change them to "D:\Program Files", "D:\Program Files", "D:\Program Files" and "D:\Program Files (x86)", in that order that I just mentionned. You should be good to go from here.

    However I think I strayed too far from the path and goofed something up along the way because I cannot do anything on my computer that uses the c drive and when I try to go back to change it, regedit doesn't work. Also even tried to system restore and its just unresponsive and I can't do anything.

    :)
     
    l4johnny, Apr 26, 2017
    #1

  2. After changing default install directory using Regedit, I cannot open Regedit, Task Manager, etc.

    Hello,

    Well yesterday i changed the default install directory using the regedit from run and then i changed just the drivers letter on ProgramFilesDir, ProgramFilesDir (x86) .. (i used this tutorial How do you change the default Installation Directory in Windows 7 64bit?)

    From then my computer wont open task manager or regedit or anything from windows .. Is there anything i can do to undo what i ve done ?

    <Original title - Problem >
     
    PapadopsAlex, Apr 26, 2017
    #2
  3. Default Installation Directory Registry Values

    In my attempt to change the default install drive for programs, I modified the related registry entries in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/WOW6432NODE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWS/CURRENTVERSION. The Common files directories and program files directories were changed
    from C:\ to D:\. I noticed that for ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86), the default directory for both is the Program Files (x86) folder. Wouldn't the default directory for ProgramFilesDir be Program Files as this is not (x86)? I hope this makes
    sense but I would be happy to clarify more if needed. Thank you for any assistance!
     
    Ambition5253, Apr 26, 2017
    #3
  4. LMiller7 Win User

    Changed my programfilesdir and now I can't do anything

    Welcome to the forum.

    Microsoft does not support or recommend this procedure. It is provided for exceptional circumstances, not for general use. Unfortunately many Internet articles miss that part.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...registry-value

    There are issues beyond those mentioned.
    Sorry, I do not have a solution for your problem.
     
    LMiller7, Apr 26, 2017
    #4
  5. dalchina New Member
    You might be able to restore the backup copy of your registry, then reverse the regedit.
    No guarantees whatsoever. You are in perilous territory.

    Otherwise you could try editing the registry offline. (You can research that).

    Whether you'll end up with a reliable system is another matter.

    If you had been using disk imaging, which we constantly and strongly recommend (e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) ) you could have restored your system from a previously created image relatively painlessly.
     
    dalchina, Apr 4, 2018
    #5
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Changed my programfilesdir and now I can't do anything

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