How to install windows 7 to c:\winnt folder?

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by patriotzhou, Feb 18, 2010.

  1. patriotzhou

    patriotzhou MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    Hi all,I am trying to install windows 7 to c:\winnt or any other folder names,any idea?
    Default,windows 7 will install to c:\windows,how to change the default folder?
    Thank you.
     
  2. sam3971

    sam3971 MDL Guru

    Nov 14, 2008
    2,235
    311
    90
    Why would you want to change that?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  3. patriotzhou

    patriotzhou MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    long story,currently xp is installed to c:\winnt,so for win 7,we want to retain same folder(c:\winnt).
    I searched online,can not find anything,so any idea,thanks.
     
  4. blackranger

    blackranger MDL Senior Member

    Dec 28, 2009
    466
    33
    10
    that's the default setting for OS, not like a software that you can choose a destination to store the core program files.

    maybe u can do this with the help of another computer, paste the system files into the specified folder. I haven't try it before so u should backup your system before doing this, or use vmware.

    I doubt that is it necessary not to move the boot files from C:\ to C:\winnt?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  5. secr9tos

    secr9tos MDL Addicted

    Jul 28, 2009
    999
    133
    30
    ...and the benefit of this change would be????
     
  6. patriotzhou

    patriotzhou MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    thanks everyone!
    what I want is install the windows 7 to c:\winnt,just like windows 2000(just the %systemroot% would be c:\winnt,not default c:\windows).I know windows 2k/xp/2k3 can change the %systemroot% name during the setup,but how come windows 7 can not,not sure about vista.
     
  7. Stannieman

    Stannieman MDL Guru

    Sep 4, 2009
    2,232
    1,818
    90
    I know that in win95 setup (probably also win98) you could chose, but don't know for win7/vista.
    Anyway, when the windows folder is somewhere (even just in one place) hardcoded than it's not possible
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  8. MadSheep!

    MadSheep! MDL Junior Member

    Jul 12, 2009
    72
    23
    0
    besides the visual thing is anything other that can help you with that change?
     
  9. Stormcrow

    Stormcrow MDL Junior Member

    Jul 30, 2009
    76
    1
    0
    Could be he has some badly-written apps or scripts are hard-coded to the old path.

    Regardless of *why* he wants to do it, it would be good to allow users to select the installation path if they wanted to.

    --
    SC
     
  10. carbuck

    carbuck MDL Novice

    Jan 24, 2010
    4
    0
    0
    You could Vlite the install disc, changing nothing but the directory that the Windows files are installed to
     
  11. secr9tos

    secr9tos MDL Addicted

    Jul 28, 2009
    999
    133
    30
    #11 secr9tos, Feb 18, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2010
    Well the problem is that u need to change all references from C:\WINDOWS to e.g C:\WINNT on ur complete system and that manually coz I don't believe that there is any tool available for this job.

    EDIT:

    for example u have to change the following:

    * BCD Store
    * Any registry keys directing to C:\WINDOWS\*
    * Environment Variables

    and so on..
     
  12. Stannieman

    Stannieman MDL Guru

    Sep 4, 2009
    2,232
    1,818
    90
    yep, and from somewhere external like a dualboot windows or winpe disk, it's not possible to do that with a running windows
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  13. guanellaluigi

    guanellaluigi MDL Novice

    Feb 18, 2008
    15
    4
    0
    Maybe you could install W7 in its default path and then set up a hard link (junction point) between c:\windows and c:\winnt.
    Like the ones already set up between C:\Users and c:\Documents and settings
    Try with dir /a c:\ and see if hard links can be your solution.
    You would end up with a standard W7 install, but older programs will be happy.
     
  14. MadSheep!

    MadSheep! MDL Junior Member

    Jul 12, 2009
    72
    23
    0
    #15 MadSheep!, Feb 21, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2010
    If it is for older programs then open the cmd with admin rights and right

    you created a virtual link for the older programs :)

    @Stormcrow

    For everything a "why" exists
     
  15. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
    9,039
    3,388
    300
    Why can't you just not make an image of the system with acronis put it on another partition the install windows 7 then use VM ware and import you xp acronis image in and run it as virtual machine.
     
  16. 3sidedcube

    3sidedcube MDL Member

    Oct 1, 2009
    166
    24
    10
    the reason you cannot put win 7 in the folder is because win 7 is totally different to older windows

    from win 95 up till xp you have to install the os where as win vista and win 7 are images that are written to your whole hard drive a bit like Norton ghost imaging or acronis imaging so technically you cannot put it in a folder on your hdd drive and install win 7 in that folder.
    but on another note you could always partition your hdd using partition magic split the hdd and then install win7 on the partition that way you would get dual boot - but look into this first google is your friend there :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...