Change Install Location Windows 10 Apps: Full Guide

You can change where Windows 10 installs new apps by going to Settings > System > Storage > Change where new content is saved, and you can move already-installed apps from the same page. This setting applies only to apps from the Microsoft Store; programs you download from the web install wherever their setup wizard chooses, usually C:\Program Files.

Why Windows 10 Lets You Change the Install Location

Windows 10 normally installs Store apps to your main drive (C:). If that drive is an SSD with limited space, or if you use a small system partition, a few large games or apps can fill it quickly. Microsoft added the ability to choose a different drive for new apps and to move existing ones, mainly to help people with small system drives or with secondary storage like a large HDD or a second SSD.

The setting is per-drive, not per-app. You pick a default drive for all new Store apps, and you can move individual apps later. It does not affect desktop programs (Win32 apps) installed from the internet, nor does it move system files or the Windows installation itself.

How the Setting Works

When you change the default install location, Windows registers that drive as the preferred location for new Store app installations. The apps are still managed by Windows and appear in your Start menu normally. The drive must be formatted with NTFS and must have enough free space. You cannot choose a drive that is a removable USB stick or a network drive.

Moving an existing app copies its files to the new drive and removes them from the old one. Your app data, settings, and logins are preserved because Windows uses symbolic links to keep the app’s registry entries and file paths pointing to the new location. In practice, the app behaves exactly as before, just from a different drive.

Important: this feature only works for apps that support being moved. Some apps, especially those that integrate deeply with the system, may not have the “Move” button available. In that case, you can uninstall and reinstall the app after changing the default location.

How to Change the Default Install Location for New Apps

Open Settings (Windows key + I).
Go to System > Storage.
Scroll down and click Change where new content is saved.
Under “New apps will save to:”, select the drive you want from the drop-down list.
Click Apply.

That’s it. From now on, any new app you install from the Microsoft Store will go to that drive. The same page also lets you change where new documents, music, pictures, and videos are saved, which is a separate setting.

How to Move an Already-Installed App to Another Drive

Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Find the app you want to move in the list.
Click on it, then click Move.
Select the destination drive from the drop-down and click Move again.

Windows will transfer the app files. The time it takes depends on the app size and your drive speed. You can continue using your computer during the move, but it’s best to close the app itself. After the move, the app will launch from the new drive automatically.

What About Desktop Programs (Win32 Apps)?

Most software you download from the web—like browsers, office suites, or games from Steam—is not a Store app. Windows 10 does not control where these install. You have two options:

Choose a custom location during installation: Most installers let you change the destination folder. Look for “Browse” or “Custom” during setup and pick a folder on another drive, e.g., D:\Programs.
Use the app’s own settings: Some apps, like Steam, allow you to create a new library folder on another drive and install games there. Check the app’s settings for a “Download” or “Library” section.

If you already installed a desktop program on C: and want to move it, you generally cannot just cut and paste the folder—that often breaks the uninstaller and shortcuts. The safest method is to uninstall and reinstall to the new location. Some apps have a built-in “Move” feature, but it’s rare.

Common Problems and Fixes

“Move” button is grayed out: This means the app doesn’t support moving. You can try uninstalling and reinstalling after changing the default location, or you can just leave it on C:.

The drive doesn’t appear in the list: Make sure the drive is formatted as NTFS and is a fixed internal drive. External USB drives are not supported. If you have an external drive that you want to use, you can format it as NTFS, but Windows may still refuse because it’s removable.

Apps don’t launch after moving: This is rare, but sometimes a moved app may have issues. First, restart your computer. If it still fails, try moving it back to the original drive, or uninstall and reinstall.

You want to change the default back: Just follow the same steps and select C: (or your system drive) again. Existing apps will not move back automatically—only new installs will use the new default.

Does This Affect Performance?

Yes, but only in terms of storage speed. If you move apps from a fast NVMe SSD to a slower HDD, you may notice longer load times in games or large apps. Conversely, moving from a slow HDD to a fast SSD can improve performance. The setting itself doesn’t slow anything down—it’s purely about which physical drive the files are on.

For most apps, the difference is negligible. For large games with many asset files, the difference can be significant. If you have an SSD and an HDD, keep apps you use daily on the SSD and put large media or rarely used games on the HDD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move Windows 10 system files to another drive?

No. The operating system files must remain on the system drive. You can move user folders (like Documents, Downloads) and some app data, but the core Windows files cannot be moved. Changing the install location only affects new apps.

Does changing the install location affect updates?

No. Windows Update and app updates still work the same. When an app updates, it updates in place on the drive where it’s installed. The default location setting only applies to new installations.

Can I install apps on an external drive?

No, not directly. Windows 10 does not allow Store apps to be installed on removable drives. You can use a drive that is permanently connected (e.g., an internal second drive), but USB flash drives and most external HDDs are not supported. Some desktop programs can be installed on external drives, but they may not run when the drive is disconnected.

Why is my C: drive still full after moving apps?

Moving Store apps only moves the app files, not all the data they generate. Many apps store user data, caches, and settings in your user profile on C:. Also, some apps (like games) may still have updates or additional content on C:. You can also move your user folders (Documents, Downloads, etc.) to another drive using the same “Change where new content is saved” page.

Is it safe to move apps?

Yes, for Store apps it’s a supported feature. Windows handles the move and updates the necessary links. For desktop programs, it’s safer to uninstall and reinstall, because manually moving folders can break the app. Always backup important data before moving anything.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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