Changing the default installation directory

In windows, all the programs are installed into the C:\Program Files directory by default. I don't like it because I always install software to another volume. Filling the C drive with files can cause problems and I use that partition for so many other purposes also.

Today you will learn to change the default installation directory so that you wont have to change the path manually. First open registry editor by typing regedit in the run box (in XP) or by doing the same in the search box in Windows 7 start menu. Then, navigate to : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Find the key named ProgramFilesDir. By default, this value will be C:\Program Files. Edit the value by double clicking on it. Close the editor and reboot your PC.

Change folder background in Windows XP

Here is an interesting and funny trick to change the background image of folders in Windows XP. It is an old trick but still many people don't know about it.

Note: this trick will not work in Windows 7.

First open notepad and copy the following code:

[ExtShellFolderViews]
BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC=BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC
[BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC]
IconArea_Image=Image Location

Now replace the Image Location to the path of the image. For eg F:\Images\Image1.jpg

Then save the file with name "Desktop.ini" and copy the file to the desired location.

Done! Now reopen the folder and you will see the background image .

Regards,
Prince