Move Frontier_Developments folder

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

Hi,

How do I move the C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Frontier_Developments folder to another drive ?

My o/s runs on a small but fast 240Gb M.2 SSD and I would like all my game files stored on a much larger drive.
Currently Odyssey is taking up nearly 70Gb on the SSD

 

[Robert Maynard]

Moving the EDLaunch directory (and everything in it) will "move" the game.

The launcher installs the game in the "Products" directory which is in the same directory as the launcher.

 

[finglonger]

the easiest way is to just move copy paste (then delete the original) the ED install folder unless your using steam or epic in which case the move needs to be done using steam or epic

if you want to move the Frontier_Developments folder and and Saved Games\Frontier Developments you will need to use symbolic links which can be tricky to setup and get right

 

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

the easiest way is to just move copy paste (then delete the original) the ED install folder unless your using steam or epic in which case the move needs to be done using steam or epic

if you want to move the Frontier_Developments folder and and Saved Games\Frontier Developments you will need to use symbolic links which can be tricky to setup and get right

Hi Finglonger, I've copied the entire game folder over to my D drive however how do I get the launcher to load from that location?

 

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

Moving the EDLaunch directory (and everything in it) will "move" the game.

The launcher installs the game in the "Products" directory which is in the same directory as the launcher.

Hi Robert unfortunately that doesn't work
I have already installed the launcher in my D drive however the installer always places the game files in the AppData folder which is on the C drive
It doesn't offer a target choice; just Install !!!

 

[Robert Maynard]

Are you running the launcher from a shortcut or directly from the executable in the folder?

If the former, is the shortcut pointing to the right instance of the launcher?

 

[finglonger]

I have already installed the launcher in my D drive however the installer always places the game files in the AppData folder which is on the C drive
It doesn't offer a target choice; just Install !!!

thats how most installers work, they will almost always create content in AppData on your OS drive. ive never seen a game ask where you want the config\settings files to be stored

the only thing you can do is to manually move these files and create symbolic links to trick the game into thinking the files are still there

The Complete Guide to Creating Symbolic Links (aka Symlinks) on Windows

Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista all support symbolic links — also known as symlinks — that point to a file or folder on your system. You can create them using the Command Prompt or a third-party tool called Link Shell Extension.

www.howtogeek.com

 

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

Are you running the launcher from a shortcut or directly from the executable in the folder?

If the former, is the shortcut pointing to the right instance of the launcher?

Direct launcher executable in the D drive folder

 

[finglonger]

Hi Finglonger, I've copied the entire game folder over to my D drive however how do I get the launcher to load from that location?

dont forget to recreate or edit your shortcut so it points to the new location

you should be able to right click the launcher exe and select create shortcut then move it to your desktop

 

[Robert Maynard]

Direct launcher executable in the D drive folder

Hmmmm....

Does the WIndows user you use to install / upgrade the game have administrative privilege?

 

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

dont forget to recreate or edit your shortcut so it points to the new location

you should be able to right click the launcher exe and select create shortcut then move it to your desktop

The issue isn't the launcher, it's where it installs the game files.
I can't believe Frontier develops a launcher that forces nearly 70Gb onto the C drive with no option at install to choose a preferred location :-(

I'm willing to uninstall completely if someone can advise how to install Elite onto a D drive.

 

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

I'll try going down the Steam route, however that seems to have it's own issues - unable to locate Odyssey partner key
Lol it's like pulling teeth

 

[finglonger]

you need to move the whole ED install folder to your D drive, once youve done that any future updates, alpha or betas etc will then install to the D drive ie you need to move the "Elite Dangerous" folder, this contains the launcher, any expansions updates etc get installed to the same drive as the launcher

if you install ED fresh then it will ask where you want to install ED, sometimes you need to click advanced to get to the option to select a drive

if you install Steam you either need to install steam to your D drive or create a new games directory. however you will still have files being stored in Appdata. get your steam key from the Fdev store, you dont need to worry about Odyssey so long as your account has odyssey associated with it the steam version of ED will download Odyssey when you launch the game is launched not via steam.. at least thats what mine did.. for some reason i only see ED and ED:H under steam

 

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

you need to move the whole ED install folder to your D drive, once youve done that any future updates, alpha or betas etc will then install to the D drive ie you need to move the "Elite Dangerous" folder, this contains the launcher, any expansions updates etc get installed to the same drive as the launcher

if you install ED fresh then it will ask where you want to install ED, sometimes you need to click advanced to get to the option to select a drive

if you install Steam you either need to install steam to your D drive or create a new games directory. however you will still have files being stored in Appdata. get your steam key from the Fdev store, you dont need to worry about Odyssey so long as your account has odyssey associated with it the steam version of ED will download Odyssey when you launch the game is launched not via steam.. at least thats what mine did.. for some reason i only see ED and ED:H under steam

Thanks Finglonger; looks like the Steam option is working, Odyssey installing and populating the Steamapps Elite Products folder thanks CMDR

 

[Para Handy]

I wonder why some people have their game installed in the Appdata tree? Mine has always defaulted to the Program Files (x86) tree (several different computers) - even though the 32 bit version died a yonk and a quarter ago. What makes it sometimes go into Appdata for people? (I know the frontier support faq list the appdata as an "alternative" - but what exactly determines it?) ...

... just wondering. ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[CMDR JONNYMAC]

I wonder why some people have their game installed in the Appdata tree? Mine has always defaulted to the Program Files (x86) tree (several different computers) - even though the 32 bit version died a yonk and a quarter ago. What makes it sometimes go into Appdata for people? (I know the frontier support faq list the appdata as an "alternative" - but what exactly determines it?) ...

... just wondering. ¯\(ツ)/¯

I'm running Window 10 Pro and always its Appdata, not sure about Windows 7

 

[virosh]

According to some other CMDR it will install in AppData if you are installing with with a normal user without administrator privileges. I haven't tested this myself as mine is installed on a different disk.
However, you can always choose where to install the game from the Launcher's Options menu.