I installed AVP today and when I was looknig at the shortcut, the start folder is C:\program files(x86)\Galaxy client

This is an issue for me. I have a small SSD for my operating system and I don't install ANYTHING to the C:. But when I was installing AVP, I don't think I was offered the option for the Galaxy Client. I chose to install the game itself to my E:. But I do not want this on my C:. Did I miss an option or was it not actually offered?

i am un sure as to where i can even download the galaxy client. i have the installer, but i don't think thats the right thing. where did you get it?

It installs automagically with AVP classic

This is from a blue from AvP 2000 topic: While he did not answer the install directory issue, I would assume once Galaxy is offered as separate download, it'll allow you to install it anywhere you want like any other GOG software.

Uh... good that I did not have time up until now, I wanted to test this galaxy thing on the weekend... But my system is set up like the OPs and therefore I won't install AvP... meh... now I feel bad for grabbing it for free without testing the galaxy client.

You can try use innoextract to unpack the installer. There are two separate folders in it: app - with the game itself - and tmp - with Galaxy installer and other additional stuff. AvP worked without installing the game under Wine, and I was able to install Galaxy client using extracted installer, but it crashed every time I tried to run it. I'm pretty sure its because of Wine, so chances are it will work without problems under Windows.

No, it's not Wine's fault. I tried the exact same thing with the Witcher Adventure Game on Windows, and the GOG Galaxy client was (is) crashing. I expect the same for AvP. I assume that's because, as GOG stated, what's included with the games is not the full client.
That's probably also the reason why the client portion automatically installs in the specific path, and why GOG recommends to let the game also install in the auto-chosen path.

So where would the rest of the "full client" come from if not from the installer? And requiring a specific path to install and work correctly is kind of lame...

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough - only a portion of the client's features are available to install as part of beta testing these two games (and these specific features), the rest of the features are either not ready yet or not included and that's why it doesn't run as a standalone application. i.e. the included installer is not for the full-fledged client.

As for the path, they explained their reasoning when the beta testing of the Witcher game went live, you'll find the relevant post(s) in the game's subforum, if you're interested.

Ok, I get it now. You actually didn't fully explain why I couldn't launch it though. ;) Galaxy needs parameters to run and path in launching shortcut looks like:

Why not just use a symlink?

Not everyone is a Linux magician. Not to mention that symlinks barely exist in the Windows operating environment.

Sure they do, they've been actively used since Windows Vista (there are several symlinks in a default installation, and there's a tool bundled to create them).

And even since Windows 2000, another, similar feature have been available - junctions - though an application to create them wasn't bundled with the system until Vista, as far as I know.

To your credit though, creating either a junction point or a symbolic link does require one to be acquainted with the command line.

Eh Symlinks are ok, but I'd really rather not go through the trouble on a regular basis. I used to use it to move games on and off my SSD for faster loading but in the end it got confusing remembering what was where, and whether or not I had space to move another game. It got cumbersome moving parts of some games too, like Skyrim, and it confused my installed mod installers (Wrye Bash and NMM, particularly). In the end it was just a touch too tricksome.