Well, there isn't an easy answer to that question honestly, or I don't know it for sure.

Virtual store is used when an old app (as in pre-Vista) would need to write data to a folder where the user running it does not have permission to write to (for example a non-admin account trying to run data in Program Files); the write will get redirected to C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\{program path here} (same thing for registry entries).

Now, virtualization is enabled only for 32bit interactive processes and administrator writable file/folder and registry keys. This means that even disabling UAC, the data may still be or not be written in the Virtual Store, depending on how that software is written and the permissions required by it.

My advice would be to keep UAC enabled if you're running Windows 7 or Vista SP1 (they fixed a lot of the UAC annoyances in that service pack) because it does provide an additional layer of security.

The short gist of UAC is that it prevents every elevated launch and asks the user for permission, which means that you always know if something is trying to hijack your session and do something nasty. With UAC off that elevation flag is ignored (well, the ERROR_ELEVATION_REQUIRED error code is ignored) and elevation is granted automatically for most requests (there are some exceptions but are mostly related to the kernel so even malware doesn't go that deep).

Alright, i'll just keep UAC on and make the Game folder on C, then go from there.

thanks a lot guys.

(This is the best hit I got when searching, it's kinda related)

On my desktop the games are installed on a different harddisk. That was not an option when I bought a laptop. Have been installing them to C:\Games so far. After registering with GOG I'm starting to install those games on C:\GOG Games so I have all those in one place. That seems to work allright so far (as others above have indicated).

But one thing puzzles me. When I start to install a game it defaults to C:\Program files (x86). I've changed it to C:\GOG Games twice now, but it still persists trying to throw it into Program Files.

Is it possible to change the default GOG install folder so it goes directly to C:\GOG Games for all future installs? How do I do that? It doesn't seem to "take" when changing it during installs :(

It is possible, but I doubt you'd want to do it. You'd have to recompile the installers.

Ouch! In that case it's probably better I pass ;)

Since you seem to be a staff person (unless I am mistaking icons and whatnot in my messages : hey, I'm still new to this stuff! :D), can you pass on the info that this would be a nice option to have?

I checked through my registry for anything with "GOG" and I did notice the default DOWNLOAD location was stored there (quite a few places actually). So I reckon it would be possible to do the same for the default INSTALL location. Feels odd that under Options when installing it says we can change the default install location, but it has no effect. Or it only matters for that one game, which makes it pretty useless given we naturally only install a game once (unless something gets F-ed up).

Hardly the biggest issue to change the location each time I install a game, but particularly in light of the issue with save games in Win 7 due to UAC it would make sense to have a default install location outside of Program Files. Most people won't change it, and will therefore potentially run into issues with their savegames (at least locating where they are on the disk).

... is clicking on "Options" and changing the folder manually every time you install a game that much of a big deal? :)

I definitely am not a staff person. :p

(In case I was, I definitely would have not used InnoSetup for the installers, instead would have used Advanced Installer, but that's just me.)

The installers are somewhat of a mess, adding useless registry keys for no good reason, and occasionally messing up with Games Explorer, that I can agree with.

Use the button Luke . . . =)