Well, anyone who has ever used a GOG installer will know that the default path tries to install to Program Files - or Program Files (x86) if on a 64-bit Windows.

Now, as GOG are about getting games working on modern OSes I find it surprising that they use Program Files as the default path, especially for older titles, what with how modern Windows OSes have UAC and DEP that can cause issues with games installed into Program Files.

Me, I have Vista Ultimate x64 (my machine is a little over 3 years old, Windows 7 final retail release was just a little too late for me when I built this machine), so I read up on various Vista and x64 issues in advance. All my games get installed into C:\Games\.

So, any opinions here? What do you think of GOG's installers using Program Files rather than an unprotected folder, being as they aim to get games working on Vista and 7?

Also, presumably Windows 8 has UAC and DEP that affects Program Files in the same way? I've not tried Windows 8 and probably won't, but it could be useful info to some.

Totally agreed. I do almost exactly the same thing.

I don't mind it installing to Program Files. I wish that the installers opened up permission on the GOG.com folder though (making sure to ask permission to do so first).

Right now, I just opened permissions on GOG.com and haven't had issues.

I run vista, I've put all my games in program files. It's only JA2 I run in admin, and that's because I'm too lazy to set up explicit permissions.

I think most people are ok with it. It's the correct place to put programs, so the focus should be on making those programs compatible, as opposed to making the installer hide a compatibility issue.

The %programfiles% folder is one that exists in all windows installations, and it will be translated to the corresponding one automatically, no matter the architecture (32 or 64 bits) or the language. Your best bet for peace of mind is to allow your user full control on the %programfiles%\gog.com folder, or take the extra 5-10 seconds required to install the game in another folder.
Personally, I went with the permissions way, so I just click next in the installers.

Erm. You can change the installer path during install. It takes no more than 5 seconds. Don't be lazy.

UAC's and suchstuff causes problems regardless of install location. Like waiting five minutes for the setup to even initialize.

I agree with the OP, that is really annoying sometime.

I install all of my GOG games (close to 200 now?) into the default program files folder(s), and I've yet to have any problem with a game because of it. Naturally, UAC has been completely disabled as it's an annoying POS no matter what. It only exists to save the average PC owners from their incredibly stupid selves.

Which instantly renders your earlier sentence moot. You might be be smart and careful enough, and take all the necessary precautions to have no need of UAC, but certainly not everyone does.

no deal for me,i have all on C:\GOG

Thanks for all the comments guys. :)

It seems from the above that people are either opening up permissions manually, turning off UAC/DEP, or just installing elsewhere, like C:\Games\ or C:\GOG\. This really does beg the question of why the default is C:\Program Files (x86)\ then. It'd be interesting to hear from GOG, though it isn't really an issue as the path can be changed, but for compatibility and not relying on users to be in the know, use of an unprotected folder would seem a better choice.

Me personally, I install all my games regardless of GOG or disc version onto the root of my D drive (D:\Blood2 etc for example). Granted I have loads of separate game folders on there now but it works for me. Done it this way for years now, long as I can remember actually.

Hindsight, it may have actually been better to do a folder called games origionally and install everything in to that but a bit set in my ways. I always install games to D though so if my Windows install goes awry on my C Drive and I had to format at least I wont particularly lose anything, just retreive docs and game saves that are in the relevant directories before a format.

With regards to compatability, DEP and UAC can cause serious issues especially with older titles if installed into Program Files. I think they should set the installer to at least install to a root as default. Granted a lot of the older members know to install to a different directory than default. Newer users though (maybe not as experienced) that have just discovered GOG may just do default install and then need help when things dont work.

Ideally, the GOG installer could offer an option to save a path to the registry, and offer to install a game either to Program Files, or to a new path, or to the path saved in the registry. The system could default to the path in the registry if one is present, or to Program Files if not (there is no better option for a default folder that works in all versions of Windows - instead of choosing some other folder, it's probably better to add a bit of info to the installer, to encourage users to specify their own folder for increased compatibility).

I'm not sure if GOG's coders consider such a feature worth the effort though. Might make sense to enter it into the wishlist.

I have UAC/DEP turned off and keep all my GOG games in "C:\Program Files\GOG" I've never known there to be any issues. The new Galaxy client that was just released uses the C:\ as it's default install location.

Is there any benefit to installing them in "C:\GOG"?