How Do I Change the Installation Folder of My Software in NI Package Manager?

I want to change the destination directory for software I download and install using NI Package Manager (NIPM).

There is no explicit way to change the installation folder in the user interface of NI Package Manager (NIPM). NI provides with the following steps a possible but not officially supported workaround to achieve this. Please note that NI does not guarantee a working installation for all NI software even the installation process could be completed successfully. 

In order to change the installation folder, registry edits are required. Follow the steps below to change the default installation directory of NI software before running your installations:

1. Manually create the desired root directory for your NI software, i.e. D:\Bin\NI\
2. Open Registry Editor. This can be done by using Windows search for "Run" and inputting "regedit" in the open prompt.
3. Manually create the following registry keys and add a string value with the name and data included below:
   • (32-bit) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\National Instruments\Common\Installer 
     • NIDIR= <Installation Directory Path>
   • (64-bit) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\Common\Installer
     • NIDIR64= <Installation Directory Path>

The 32-bit key will change the installation directory of 32-bit software and the 64-bit key will change the installation directory of 64-bit software. These two keys should generally not point to the same installation directory. These edits need to be made before installing the software for them to work. 

Additional Information

If you'd like to change the installation directory for NI Package Manager itself:

1. Manually create the desired directory for NIPM, i.e. D:\Bin\NI\NIPM\ 
2. Manually create the following two registry keys: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\CurrentVersion and Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\CurrentVersion
3. In each registry key created, add a string value with the name Path and the data equal to the desired installation directory path, i.e. D:\Bin\NI\NIPM\ Note: Contrary to above, both the 32-bit key and the 64-bit key will point to the same installation directory for NIPM.
4. Install NI Package Manager . 

You will then also have to follow the steps in the Solution to ensure all subsequent installs using NI Package Manager will be installed in your new directory.