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windows-installernsis

install in ProgramData folder using NSIS

I'd like to install some application data in C:\ProgramData folder using nsis installer. I'd like to avoid hardcoding it, because it may not be on C: drive.

The documentation https://nsis.sourceforge.io/Docs/Chapter4.html doesn't have any constant that defines ProgramData. What is the nsis way of installing in ProgramData folder?

Solution

  • Microsoft moved and renamed some of the special folders in Vista. %ProgramData% is CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA and you can get that path in NSIS:

    Section
SetShellVarContext all
MessageBox MB_OK "$LocalAppData"
SetOutPath "$LocalAppData\MyAppsData" 
File /r mydata\*.*
SectionEnd