I have to admit that I shamelessly “steal” any info available on the net when it comes to SQL Server. Just to give you a quick example: Brent Ozar and Jonathan Kehayas both have some neat articles about installing SQL Server. Of course, I use the Next > Next > Finish feature, just as anybody else, but every now and then some wise IT managers are asking me “why did you do this”. Then I get to tell him or her that is because some guys said that this is good practiceJ.
Anyway, moving on, I want to point out how to change the default installation of SQL Server.
Change the default installation path
Truth be told, I have no idea how to change the default installation path for SQL Server per se, but rather to where the Program Files folder will reside. To change the default location:
- Go to Registry Editor (regedit); on my local machine (Windows 7), the sequence is Start > type regedit in the Search Programs and Files text box, and click regedit.exe.
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
You should see something similar to the window (ok, dialog box; stop it, you technical writers) below:
As you can see, the CommonFilesDir entry holds the default path of Program Files. Simply change the value data in the Edit String dialog box (double-click the entry to get there) and you’re done.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
io
SQL-PLAY 