Windows 10 cannot find C:\Windows\regedit.exe

[dodo_ezra]

Hi,

After setting up my new computer with SSD drive for operating system, I found that whenever I would download or install something, it would install onto the SSD because it was listed as C, the main hard drive. (Meaning C:\Programm Files was on C, the SSD). I googled and found a tutorial, which told me to open up regedit and look for something, i sadly forgot what exactly it was. I think it was just the programm files thing, which i was supposed to change from C to E, my HDD. I did so.

However, when i tried running regedit again i got the error mentioned above.
Is this reverseable?
I cannot acces regedit anymore.

The exact error message is the following: "Windows cannot find C:\Windows\regedit.exe. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."

How can i reverse what i did, and how do i properly change it so my HDD is the main hard drive to safe/install stuff on? Thanks in advance.

Thanks,

p.s.
Big parts of the post are taken from another post with the same problem in win 7 or 8 (see link), the solution there didn't work for me..
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2672070/windows-find-windows-regedit-exe.html

 

[Colif]

this program files thing, was it changing the default install location? As that has the side effect of breaking all windows updates or driver updates as windows isn't smart enough to have 2 save locations... looks at link... oh, I see it is

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/933700/microsoft-does-not-support-changing-the-location-of-the-program-files-folder-by-modifying-the-programfilesdir-registry-value

wonder why regedit stops working if you change program files default location. Or maybe windows can't find anything as the index is located there, i don't know...

the only fix I have found for this otherwise is a fresh install as from the above link, you break windows with what you did.

At least its new, Reinstall win 10 and instead of setting a default elsewhere, just manually set the save location of every program you want on E. It is safest way until Microsoft give us a better way

when you get to screen asking for licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will continue and activate - don't reuse key as it should be already stored on Microsoft servers.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi,

After setting up my new computer with SSD drive for operating system, I found that whenever I would download or install something, it would install onto the SSD because it was listed as C, the main hard drive. (Meaning C:\Programm Files was on C, the SSD). I googled and found a tutorial, which told me to open up regedit and look for something, i sadly forgot what exactly it was. I think it was just the programm files thing, which i was supposed to change from C to E, my HDD. I did so.

Nope.
Completely wrong (and dangerous) procedure.

As above, I believe the only solution is a clean install.

After, read this on how to manage space between the two drives:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

 

[Colif]

Hi,

After setting up my new computer with SSD drive for operating system, I found that whenever I would download or install something, it would install onto the SSD because it was listed as C, the main hard drive. (Meaning C:\Programm Files was on C, the SSD). I googled and found a tutorial, which told me to open up regedit and look for something, i sadly forgot what exactly it was. I think it was just the programm files thing, which i was supposed to change from C to E, my HDD. I did so.

Nope.
Completely wrong (and dangerous) procedure.

As above, I believe the only solution is a clean install.

After, read this on how to manage space between the two drives:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

I knew your answer as soon as I read you replied.

Odd how Microsoft don't support anyone doing this but still show you how to do it in the link I showed. Some things like this shouldn't be allowed to be changed. Microsoft should just say no, or give people a choice of what gets saved where.

 

[dodo_ezra]

Ohh..

Thank you so much for your help,
The problem I had was with ms office where I couldn't change the installation drive and it took almost all the available space.

Will try to re-install it, but I think its going to be challenging, cause also the reset option is not available,
luckily dell let you download an image of your system.

After wards will try the links you suggested above.

 

[Colif]

download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB << might be more to date than dell one


change boot order in BIOS so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

when you reach the screen asking for licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will continue to install and reactivate once finished

On the screen where you choose where to install win 10, if it gives you an error about GPT drives, delete all the partitions on the hdd and press next. If it still gives error, cancel out of the installer and restart PC and start installer again, it will accept next on that screen this time (some PC just need a restart here)

 

[dodo_ezra]

download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB << might be more to date than...

Thank you soooo much Colif.