Have 8.0.8 through various upgrades on another computer and got a new one. I decided to try and install fresh on the new one and copy over settings, but the installer seems to want to default to user//appdata/Local/Programs/Kicad/8.0. Is there some reason why this changed? I’m worried that if I move the install folder, some other setting or whatever pointing to /program files/kicad/8.0 will break. Why would an installer want to install into Appdata? I’ve only seen Python and VS Code ever want to store themselves there. Is there a reason I shouldn’t try to install in “Program Files”?
Maybe because you installed as user this time and as admin last time?
Is this a result of the install for all users or just you choice? MS have changed the default
I think @davidsrsb has it right: it’s whether you choose to install for “all users” or “just me”.
Goodness knows why MS have started installing stuff in appdata. Clearly - from the name - it was intended to store application data, not applications. Also, the Programs folder is protected against unauthorised writes, which appdata isn’t.
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I think that is correct. I went ahead with the install changing the folder and it said I did not have permission to install the C runtime. I don’t know what made me try again, but I did, and it installed this time. So far so good.
A little research reveals that tne reason for moving apps into ‘appdata’ is that updates can occur without requiring administrator privileges, thus making it more convenient for the user and even allowing automatic updates without the user being involved at all.
Kind of unfortunate. As a non Windows user it would seem ‘appdata’ is something I’d want to back up regularly. Stuffing programs in there is inconvenient at best.
That’s an interesting point. In fact I don’t back up ‘appdata’, but for those who do, having perhaps gigabytes of program files in there would be a real nuisance.
I must say, installing applications into ‘appdata’ feels kludgy to me.
On the contrary, you aren’t supposed to backup AppData entirely 
AppData contains Local\Temp for example is basically “the user’s temp directory” aka full of trash you don’t want to back up lol
AppData\Roaming is technically the “this is where programs store configs that can be replicated to other systems” which is why it’s called Roaming because you can do that in Windows networks.
AppData\Local in general are “shit applicaitons store that shouldn’t be replicated to other machines”, its wwhere kicad also stores a 3d model cache, games store shader caches, etc.
AppData\Local\Programs is the official microsoft path for user mode installed applications
AppData\Local\Packages are where Microsoft Store installed apps go.
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