Install other than drive "C"

[ApplicationNinja]

The year is now 2025, is there still no way to install other than drive C? This is outrageous! Most systems have a small drive "C" and need to install elsewhere, why is this not possible?

[Bob_Schor]

It appears to be "possible", but perhaps difficult, to install software on the 😧 drive in Windows 10.  However, it appears that on Windows 11, you might be able to say "Install on D:".  Do a Google search.

P.S. -- I haven't tried this.  However, from the very limited exposure to Windows 11 that I've had, I think I prefer Windows 10 ...

Bob Schor

[Yamaeda]

Solved: Installing LabVIEW on a drive of your choice - NI Community

[ApplicationNinja]

This is not an official solution, this is a hack. It's the year 2025, the installer itself should prompt / ask where someone would like to install the software, not be required to use a "hack" to install it that might not be supported if the software doesn't work correctly.

[Yamaeda]

I have it installed on D:, and i did it without any hack, but it was so long ago i don't remember how i did it. I think it's easier if you use the Install Offline from the download page.

[ApplicationNinja]

I am using the install offline version, but there is no option within the installer itself to select any install location.

[Scott_Richardson]

NI previously documented steps to pre-direct NIPM based installers where to install on the following page, but they have cleared the information:

Can I Change the Installation Folder of My Software in NI Package Manager? 

See below for a previous copy of that page.

This is also a nice summary of this type of changes:

Install LabVIEW to a different directory

Hope this helps...

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How Do I Change the Installation Folder of My Software in NI Package Manager?

Updated Nov 10, 2020

Environment

Software

• Package Manager

I want to change the destination directory for software I download and install using NI Package Manager (NIPM).

There is no explicit way to change the installation folder in the user interface of NI Package Manager (NIPM). In order to change it, registry edits are required. Follow the steps below to change the default installation directory of NI software before running your installations:

1. Manually create the desired root directory for your NI software, i.e. D:\Bin\NI\
2. Open Registry Editor. This can be done by using Windows search for "Run" and inputting "regedit" in the open prompt.
3. Manually create the following registry keys and add a string value with the name and data included below:
   • (32-bit) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\National Instruments\Common\Installer 
     • NIDIR= <Installation Directory Path>
   • (64-bit) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\Common\Installer
     • NIDIR64= <Installation Directory Path>

The 32-bit key will change the installation directory of 32-bit software and the 64-bit key will change the installation directory of 64-bit software. These two keys should generally not point to the same installation directory. These edits need to be made before installing the software for them to work. 

Note: This process is not guaranteed to work for all NI Software.

Additional Information

If you'd like to change the installation directory for NI Package Manager itself:

1. Manually create the desired directory for NIPM, i.e. D:\Bin\NI\NIPM\ 
2. Manually create the following two registry keys: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\CurrentVersion and Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\CurrentVersion
3. In each registry key created, add a string value with the name Path and the data equal to the desired installation directory path, i.e. D:\Bin\NI\NIPM\ Note: Contrary to above, both the 32-bit key and the 64-bit key will point to the same installation directory for NIPM.
4. Install NI Package Manager . 

You will then also have to follow the steps in the Solution to ensure all subsequent installs using NI Package Manager will be installed in your new directory.

[ApplicationNinja]

Again, these are hacks and not supported. In the year 2025, there needs to be a fully supported solution from National Instruments, not hacks.

[alexderjuengere]

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@ApplicationNinja wrote:

Again, these are hacks and not supported. In the year 2025, there needs to be a fully supported solution from National Instruments, not hacks.

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https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA03q000000YGxgCAG&l=en-US

The NI Package Manager (NIPM) user interface does not offer a direct option to change the installation folder. Be aware that NI does not guarantee that all NI software will function properly if the installation folder is modified using alternative ways, even if the installation process completes successfully.