Vista users....

[CaptainHaplo]

AVG - there are really good reasons not to install games to Program Files or Program Files (x86) - its because of vista permissions scheme and its good in theory/bad in practice shadow copy.

First - the Program Files folders are protected via permissions. Installs pften require you run them with admin level priviledges (this assumes your normal logon does not have elevated or admin rights to the box) and if the sftw installs - then runs from the installer (as many applications do) - the first run of the sftw is at the elevated permission level. Because its in the "protected" program files directory, things such as config files are written - and then when the app is run as normal (via user level permission) - these configuration files will not be permanently changed as they should. This causes things like - first run graphix autodetect - you exit - patch your game - go back in - decide hey - I want to run at a higher resolution - or change texture detail, etc. Its possible that you can make the changes - save and run fine - but next time you open the game - your back at the "detected" settings - because the game couldn't correct/rewrite the config files because of permissions and file location.

The other bugger is windows "shadow copy" mess. The idea is sound - it keeps a backup copy of a file just in case something screws up. Bad implimentation means you might edit a file - and see it in the right place - but it won't work as edited - but rather works like the default file did. This is because windows is using a shadow copy of the file - the ORIGINAL file at that - in an effort to "protect" you. You have to track down the shadow copy and blow IT away to get your "new" file to work right.

This doesn't happen with everything - its a bit quirky - but it can and has caused people alot of problems. Keeping things OUT of the "protected" files area keeps headaches from happening.