R – What directory should the installer install an app on Vista

installationwindowswindows-installerwindows-vista

I've nearly completed developing a game for Windows and I'm curious where I should have the installer install it. I know it used to be in "Program Files" but has that changed under Vista?

I know that World of Warcraft now installs under Users/Public/Games… what is the Microsoft-recommended location for games?

Best Answer

In Vista, the recommended directory is still %PROGRAMFILES%.

Note that in Windows 7, Microsoft has enabled the creation of true per-user installations, including support for per-user Program Files. This is a feature of Windows Installer 5.0, and you can read more about it here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd408068(VS.85).aspx