How to Stop Installing Apps on Drives Other Than Your Main Windows Drive in Windows 11
Windows 11 lets you control where new apps get installed, preventing them from filling up drives that aren’t your main C: drive.
This setting helps keep your Windows system running smoothly by ensuring important programs stay on the fastest drive.
By default, Windows 11 might install new apps on any available drive. You can change this to always save new apps to your preferred drive, like your C: drive.
This simple change makes managing your computer’s storage much easier and keeps your system drive clear.
Change the default save location for new apps in Windows 11 Settings. Navigate to System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved. Select your primary drive from the “New apps will save to” dropdown.
What Types of Apps Are There?
Windows apps usually come from the Microsoft Store or as separate programs you install from websites. By default, both types of apps try to install on your main Windows drive, often called the C: drive, to keep things organised.
- Microsoft Store apps: These come from the Microsoft Store.
- Standalone apps: These are installed using a setup file from other websites or companies.
By default, Microsoft Store apps install on the C: drive (your main Windows drive). You can move these apps to other drives or choose where new apps install if you want.
App installation location settings in Windows 11, which affect where new programs are saved, can be managed by users. Choosing the primary Windows drive for app installations helps ensure programs run smoothly and avoids potential issues with slower secondary drives. For more detailed instructions on relocating existing applications or selecting default installation locations, consult the provided guides.
How to Prevent Installing Apps on Other Drives
Method 1Use Group Policy Editor (Easy Way)
You can stop apps from installing on drives other than your main Windows drive using the Group Policy Editor. This tool lets you change Windows settings to prevent new apps from being installed on drives like D: or E:, keeping them all on your C: drive.
- Click the Start button, type
Edit group policy, and open the Local Group Policy Editor. - In the left panel, go to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment - In the right panel, find “Disable installing Windows apps on non-system volumes” and double-click it.
- Choose Enabled to stop installing or moving apps to other drives.
- Click OK to save.
Here’s what the setting looks like:
What the options mean:
- Not Configured: Default. Allows apps to be installed on other drives.
- Enabled: Blocks installing or moving apps to drives other than the main Windows drive.
- Disabled: Allows installing or moving apps to other drives.
Method 2Use Registry Editor (More Advanced)
If you have Windows 11 Home or want more control, you can use the Registry Editor to stop apps from installing on other drives. Before you start, it’s very important to back up your registry or create a System Restore point in case anything goes wrong.
- [ADMIN] Press
Windows + R, typeregedit, and press Enter to open Registry Editor. - Navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx - If the Appx folder doesn’t exist, you can create it by right-clicking the Windows folder, choosing New > Key, and naming it Appx.
- Right-click the Appx folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it RestrictAppToSystemVolume.
- Double-click RestrictAppToSystemVolume and set its value to 1 to block app installs on other drives.
- Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer to apply the changes.
To revert the app installation restriction, a user can delete the RestrictAppToSystemVolume DWORD value or change its numerical data from 1 to 0. This action restores the default Windows 11 behavior, allowing apps to install on drives other than the main Windows drive, such as a secondary hard drive.
Summary
- Windows apps can be from the Microsoft Store or installed with setup files.
- By default, apps install to your main Windows drive (C:), but you can move them or install to other drives.
- To stop apps from installing on other drives, you can use Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor.
- Group Policy is easier but may not be available on all Windows versions.
- Editing the registry works on all versions but requires care and backing up first.
- Restart your PC after making changes for them to work.
You can stop apps from installing on drives other than your main Windows drive in Windows 11 by using either the Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. While Group Policy is simpler, the Registry Editor offers more control but requires caution and a backup.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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