Installing a Windows application is usually quick and easy: start the setup program, click on "Next" a few times, and if necessary, you will be able to accept the license agreement. However, if you approach the whole thing too carelessly, you often have several chances to adjust the result to your wishes. Not infrequently, you even catch an unwanted browser plug-in or other advertising waste. In more and more installation routines emerges for some time, a question whose answer has more impact than is apparent at first glance: Should the program after installation for all users or only for the just registered account are available?
This question is not so easy to answer meaningful, because what is technically behind it, differs from program to program: Some installation routines thus decides where the actual application lands on the disk, others make only dependent on who a program icon in the Start menu or on the desktop gets to see. Even on a computer used by a single user, the answer does matter.
On the wrong path
Traditionally, installed applications are in the C: Program Files folder. In addition, there is the C: Program Files (x86) folder for 32-bit programs in Windows 64-bit editions. Here they are actually in good hands: On NTFS drives, the default rights determine that every logged in user can execute them from there. However, changes to the files are reserved for administrators, which makes sense, as well. Inexperienced users without these rights can not cause any damage. Even malware has comparatively difficult to manipulate software installed there, because they would first have to gain administrator rights. However, the concept of such a protected programs folder also has the disadvantage that users without appropriate rights for each (security) update need the help of an administrator.
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Recent setup programs often allow the user to choose between a local and a global installation. What is technically behind it, is hardly apparent
Also, the program folders are on the system partition, is a double-edged sword: On the credit side, they end up with a backup in the backup copy. That should be so, because many applications are not worth much without associated entries in the registry. In addition, many programs need additional files that the installer has stored in the Windows folder. The time-consuming policy of basically installing programs on a system drive other than the system drive has therefore proved impractical.
Big chunks
Nevertheless, it may be useful in some cases to install one or the other program outside the Windows partition. Here are mainly games to call: they are often very large, so occupy a lot of space. However, it often gets tight, especially on the system drive, especially if it is a tight SSD. According to experience, games are also rather frugal, as far as registry entries and system files are concerned.
Where an installer explicitly provides for the input or selection of a destination folder, the default is usually the correct choice. In these cases, it is also clear what is behind a possibly following question after the installation for all or only for the current user: It is then only about the program icons - more about it.
If a setup program does not ask for a destination folder, but offers the choice of an installation for all or just for one account, the program code often ends up in a folder within the user profile, usually somewhere below "C: UsersKontonameAppDataLocal". ,
He is not really in good hands there: the file rights do not protect him from manipulation by experimenting users or malware. This may be sensible for applications with frequent updates: they can then import the program without asking for admin rights, often even without the user noticing anything at all.
But even that can be a problem: If the computer is protected by Software Restriction Policies (SRP) against malware, such an update invalidates an exception rule set there and prevents the program from even starting.
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For a software installation "Just for me", the executable code may end up in the unprotected user profile
In addition, the profile folder is on the system drive by default. In case of doubt, applications installed there will also prove scarce SSD space - if several users want them, even several times.
Fast access
Setup programs that offer the selection of a destination folder, with the question "For all or just for you?" usually just know where to put the program icons. The same usually applies if an installation routine requires administrator rights from the outset. To understand what's behind the question, you need to know how some of the special folders in Windows work, including the Start menu and the desktop.
Behind both are real file folders on the hard drive, but not just one but two of them: one system-wide and one belonging to the current user account. Thus, the content of the start menu is composed of the folders "C: ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms" and "C: UsersKontonameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms".
Everything on the desktop will be displayed, which is in "C: UsersPublicDesktop" or in "C: UsersKontonameDesktop". Changes to the content of system-wide folders require admin rights. His personal start menu and his own desktop may be managed by each user; Everything that he saves on the desktop or pinned to the start menu ends up here as well.
For instructing an installer to drop icons only on their own desktop or in their own start menu, there is really only one reasonable reason: Besides you, the computer uses very inexperienced users who might confuse the additional icons, or children who are aware of the existence of the installed program should know as little as possible.
Conclusion
If you are given the option of installing an application, whether you want it system-wide or just for yourself, in case of doubt the global installation is the better choice. On a machine that you use alone, you protect your software from overwriting - either by accident or through malware. The only price you pay for this is occasionally confirming the UAC query when the program finds an update.
Even on a shared PC, the system-wide software installation is usually recommended for the same reasons. By way of exception, the opposite decision may be the right one here if you do not want your co-users to use the installed program or prevent it from being used.
Nevertheless, keep your eye on setup programs! Those who simply click on "Next" blindly do not usually get the best result. Depending on the application, optional components may be essential for use or unnecessary ballast. A space-constrained system drive can make sense other than the default installation target.
If you are not busy with the initial setup of a computer, newly installed software often only serves a single purpose. Allowing her to create a desktop icon is often counterproductive: Tomorrow, this will probably only distract attention from the really important shortcuts.
