...Because not all programs are so self-contained as to be limited to their "install" directory.Really. What happens when you uninstall? You just delete the directory? If that's the case... why uninstall at all? I always thought it was extremely un-computer-savvy to just delete directories instead of using the official uninstaller, but if you can change directories without any adverse affects, why not just delete everything? Why have an add/remove programs list at all?
It depends on the program. Some programs don't use the Registry for all this - they use an INI file, or the location is hard-coded relative to the executable.Right. #include iostream.h and all that (though not an actual lib).
But if the registry includes information like where save files are... wouldn't changing the directory screw that up? Is the path relative...?