To change the installation path for Visual Studio Code after it has already been installed, the primary method involves uninstalling Visual Studio Code and then reinstalling it to your desired location.
Changing the installation directory for an application like Visual Studio Code typically requires specifying the path during the initial installation process. Once installed, simply moving the program files folder is not recommended and can lead to issues because registry entries, shortcuts, and other system configurations point to the original location.
The Process: Uninstall and Reinstall
If you need to install Visual Studio Code on a different drive or in a specific folder, follow these steps:
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Uninstall Visual Studio Code:
- Go to your system's "Add or Remove Programs" or "Apps & Features" settings.
- Find "Visual Studio Code" in the list of installed applications.
- Select it and click the "Uninstall" button.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
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Download the Installer:
- Go to the official Visual Studio Code website (https://code.visualstudio.com/) and download the latest installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
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Run the Installer and Choose Installation Path:
- Launch the downloaded installer.
- During the installation process, you will be prompted to choose the installation directory. This is where you can specify the new path where you want Visual Studio Code to be installed.
- For Windows users: The installer usually offers an "Browse" or "Change" button next to the default installation path. Click this to select your desired folder.
Managing the Download Cache During Reinstallation
When uninstalling and reinstalling Visual Studio (which is different from Visual Studio Code but the reference mentions a "Download cache section" which is more relevant to full Visual Studio environments, though sometimes installers have similar options), you might encounter options related to the download cache.
Based on the provided reference:
If you've already installed it and want to change the location, you must uninstall Visual Studio and then reinstall it. In the Download cache section, decide whether you want to keep the download cache, and if so, where you want to store its files. Check or uncheck Keep download cache after the installation.
While the reference specifically mentions "Visual Studio" and its download cache, the core principle applies to changing the location: uninstall and reinstall. The detail about the download cache is more pertinent to the larger Visual Studio IDE installer, but the underlying necessity to reinstall to change the path is the key takeaway applicable to Visual Studio Code.
- Download Cache: Some installers (especially larger ones like Visual Studio IDE) download installation files to a temporary location. You might have options during uninstall or reinstall regarding keeping this cache. Keeping the cache can speed up future modifications or repairs, while removing it frees up disk space.
- Deciding on the Cache: If the Visual Studio Code installer (or an associated component) presents an option about a download cache:
- You can decide whether to keep the cache.
- If keeping it, you might be able to specify where to store these cache files.
- Look for options like "Keep download cache after the installation" and check or uncheck it based on your storage availability and potential future needs.
In summary, changing the installation path after the fact requires a clean uninstall followed by a fresh installation where you select the desired location.
