Install Windows Store Apps to SD Card - Guide
Changing the Default App Installation Location in Windows 8
By default, Windows 8 installs all new applications onto the C:\ drive. However, users may desire to alter this setting and specify a different storage location for these apps.
This modification can be particularly beneficial if you wish to install applications to an alternative storage medium, such as an SD card or a secondary hard drive.
Compatibility Across Windows Versions
The process described here is applicable to both Windows 8 and Windows RT operating systems. This ensures broad compatibility across various devices.
This functionality proves valuable for a wide range of users, including those utilizing a Microsoft Surface, other Windows 8-based tablets, or traditional computers.
Scenarios for Utilizing Alternative Installation Locations
A common scenario involves systems with a smaller SSD (Solid State Drive) as the primary drive and a larger, more capacious secondary drive.
Redirecting app installations to the secondary drive can help conserve space on the faster SSD, potentially improving overall system performance.
Furthermore, installing apps to an SD card offers portability and allows you to easily transfer applications between devices.
Preparing the New Drive
Prior to commencing the process, the new installation location requires preparation. Begin by launching a File Explorer window. Locate the drive intended for Windows 8 app installation – be it an SD card, a traditional hard drive, or another storage medium – and right-click to access its Properties.
Verification of the drive’s file system is crucial; it must be formatted as NTFS.
Should the drive currently utilize a different file system, such as FAT, reformatting to NTFS is necessary for proceeding. Remember that many SD cards are initially formatted with the FAT file system.
It is imperative to back up any valuable data residing on the drive before formatting, as this process will irrevocably erase all existing content. Initiate the format by right-clicking the drive and selecting the Format option.
Within the Format window, select NTFS as the desired file system and then click the Start button.
Subsequently, a dedicated folder should be created on the drive to house the applications. This folder can be named according to your preference, for example, "WindowsApps" or "Windows8Apps".
Modifying the Registry Configuration
The next step involves accessing the Windows Registry Editor. Initiate this process by pressing the Windows key, then typing regedit in the Start screen search bar, and subsequently pressing Enter.
Within the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx.
With the Appx key selected, initiate the Permissions dialog by clicking Edit, then Permissions. It is crucial to ensure the Appx key itself is selected to avoid altering permissions for an unintended key.
Proceed by clicking the Advanced button within the Permissions window.
Locate and click the Change link positioned next to the entry for TrustedInstaller.
In the provided field, type Administrators, then click Check Names to verify the entry, and finally click OK. This action grants ownership of the registry key to all administrator accounts on the system.
Activate the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects checkbox and confirm your selection by clicking OK.
Within the Permissions for AppX window, select Administrators and then click the Allow option corresponding to Full Control. Confirm these changes by clicking OK, enabling you to modify the necessary registry setting.
Locate the PackageRoot value in the right-hand pane and double-click it. Enter the path to the folder you previously created; for our example, this is E:\Windows8Apps\.
A system reboot is required for these alterations to take effect. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Relocating Existing Applications [Optional]
Please note that this procedure applies solely to applications installed going forward. Applications already present on your system will retain their original installation paths.
To transfer these existing applications to the new designated location, a process of uninstallation followed by reinstallation from the Windows Store is required.
How to Migrate Applications
- Uninstall the application from its current location.
- Reinstall the application directly through the Windows Store.
This ensures the application is installed in the newly defined directory.
Credit for initially identifying this technique is due to tamarasu, a contributor on the XDA Developers forum.