1

Github for Windows is a "one-click install" thing. There is a problem with it: there are no setup options. It only installs in %appData%\Local\ under \GitHub, \Apps\2.0\YYZRRD9X.HWG\RVTJXJ3M.LBH\github.exe_317444273a93ac29_0003.0000_none_a7edba33c398fcf9, \Apps\2.0\YYZRRD9X.HWG\RVTJXJ3M.LBH\gith..tion_317444273a93ac29_0003.0000_12384c781d7f8ad4

I have file execution blocked in all of %AppData% for obvious reasons. Is there a way to set the installation directory?

Improve this question
8
  • 2
    What are those obvious reasons, because, I don't know them. I think it crazy virtual every application is designed to use %AppData% as a storage location. You should be able to copy and paste the data in that folder and place it in another directory of your choice.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Nov 23, 2015 at 18:28
  • There is nothing that prevents writing and reading, only execution. The reason is exactly what you described: every application is designed to use %AppData% as storage. Presence of executable files in this folder is uncontrollable, so I do not allow them to be executed. Therefore it's only safe to execute from Windows and Program Files (where it requires very explicit permissions to place files). Looking into the files and their relationships now.
    – Nomenator
    Commented Nov 23, 2015 at 18:49
  • Here is a related question with specific instructions for the solution I describe in my first comment.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Nov 23, 2015 at 18:55
  • I was going to submit a specific answer, but the paths you provide are not complete so I can't.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Nov 23, 2015 at 19:05
  • @Ramhound Git installs in the following folders: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\GitHub`, C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Apps\2.0\YYZRRD9X.HWG\RVTJXJ3M.LBH\github.exe_317444273a93ac29_0003.0000_none_a7edba33c398fcf9`, C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Apps\2.0\YYZRRD9X.HWG\RVTJXJ3M.LBH\gith..tion_317444273a93ac29_0003.0000_12384c781d7f8ad4
    – Nomenator
    Commented Nov 23, 2015 at 19:08

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Github for Windows is a ClickOnce installer, and as a user you can't control the ClickOnce installer's target folder. Instead they will always be installed into the "ClickOnce application cache", which is %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Apps\2.0.

ClickOnce applications are always installed in the Apps subdirectory of local application data.

Source

ClickOnce Deployment will install an application in the user Application Cache per user (not in X:\Programe files\folder) and will be managed by the ClickOnce service. There is no way you can install it to another folder directly using ClickOnce. This means you cannot change the ClickOnce installation location.

Source

Nope. You can't. One of the design goals of ClickOnce applications is that they require no administrative privileges, and the only places you can write with impunity on Vista and Windows Fabulous (7) are under the user's profile.

Source

The philosophy behind ClickOnce is a bit different to normal programs installed in "C:\Program Files". By installing the application in the user's directory, the application can be installed without having admin rights and the automatic updating system can work without having any awful security issues.

Source

Improve this answer
2
  • Thanks. I get it. Last point seems to be very conflicting, though. Installing applications without having admin rights is as insecure as it gets. Seems to be no purpose avoiding security issues after that, since they already dumped security into trash anyway. Now on to next question: how to move a ClickOnce application to a different directory after installation? Oh how I miss chmod when working in Windows.
    – Nomenator
    Commented Nov 23, 2015 at 20:44
  • 1
    "Installing applications without having admin rights is as insecure as it gets." It forces the author to write programs that cannot have Admin access, and since they're sandboxed and trapped at the user-level, there's way less to worry about security-wise. on the flip-side, if they wanted to install into the Program Files folder the installer would need to be given administrator permission. Knowing that, and assuming the installer was a piece of disguised malware, which one seems safer?
    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Commented Nov 23, 2015 at 21:44

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .