Forcing Apps to install to a specific place

[StormStrikes]

Hello all. Ive been using the resources on this site for a couple months now playing around with unattended XP Pro installs for my home computers. I havent ventured much into the RunOnceEx stuff yet as I have been more or less experimenting with what stuff I can take out, services I can turn off and so on, trying to document all that Ive been trying and Ive got it pretty much lined out on that front. Ive got IE8, WMP11 and .Net Framework 3.5 integrated. I started with an XP Pro source CD with SP3 that I burned back in 2008.

I think now its time to turn the corner on the RunOnceEX stuff and try to install the apps I frequently use (mostly open source/free stuff) but a few commercial pieces as well. I think I understand how to use the RunOnce commands, but the issue I have is I like to install my apps in places other than the default 'My Programs' folder. I know, I know, Im just flaky that way I guess.

My question is how can I use the RunOnceEx commands to force the program to install to a custom location? For instance, taken from Unattended guide:

REG ADD %KEY%\005 /VE /D "Adobe Reader 6" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\005 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\AdobeReader6\AR6.msi /qn" /f

If I understand correctly, the above code will run the AR6.msi from the install folder that has been copied over as part of the install process and will install Adobe Reader in its default location, something like My Programs\Adobe\Adobe Reader.

I like my programs installed in the root directory and I organize them from there. Utilities, System, Security, Mozilla, folders like that and place each app in a folder based on its purpose. Just helps me find it and keep track of it and I guess Im just anal like that.

Anyway, how can I use the above code for other apps to force them to install to a location other than the default? Ive thought about changing the Windows default My Programs location in nLite to point to the root drive but I dont know how effective that would be nor how wise.

[StormStrikes]

Anyone have any ideas? If its just links to read how to do this I'll take that too, I dont mind reading through instructions and learning. But any input would be much appreciated.

Edited February 4, 2010 by StormStrikes

[MrJinje]

Try ORCA MSI Editor. Very useful tool, should be able to change the default directory on most MSI.

http://www.google.com/search?q=msi+editor

Edited February 4, 2010 by MrJinje

[StormStrikes]

Cool, I'll give that a shot. I assume, then, Id have to convert all the .exe's over to .msi's to be effective?

[Martin H]

Some installer-types supports specifying the install-directory through a command-line parameter e.g. '/D' for Inno Setup and NSIS installers...

Also FYI...

winnt.sif:

[Unattended]
ProgramFilesDir="foo:\bar"

Registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]
"ProgramFilesDir"="foo:\\bar"

I guess also temporarilly by adding 'set programfiles=foo:\bar' before the app-installs in a NT command script...

[StormStrikes]

Okay, I was kinda hoping for a more simple solution like that, though prepared to do more if needed.

My next question is could I do something like this:

[Unattended]
ProgramFilesDir="C:\"

Then on a case by case basis specify:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]
"ProgramFilesDir"="C:\Mozilla\Firefox"

Would that work or am I off base?

[MrJinje]

Are you familiar with CMENU, if not have a read.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=47645

Edited February 5, 2010 by MrJinje

[StormStrikes]

You had me all worked up over that after reading it, but the download links dont work unfortunately and google doesnt seem to turn up anything I can use either.

[StormStrikes]

Okay, think I found a copy of it elsewhere. I'll get that installed and give it a shot and see what comes of it.

[MrJinje]

N/M

Edited February 5, 2010 by MrJinje