Python - how can I change default path when installing modules?

Question

I'm trying to install a Python Module by running a Windows installer (an EXE file). The Problem is that the default python folder and the defualt Installation Library are set To disc D:\ and are grayed out (meaning I can't change it). It might be fine is some places, but in my computer, D is the DVD drive, meaning that no installation is possible.

Is there any way to change this or to overcome this?

Answer 1

It's not "default folder", and there's a reason there's "found in registry" next to the version. You need to re-register the Python installation if you've moved it, either by installing it again (without removing) in the same folder, or changing the directory saved in registry (HKCU\Software\Python\PythonCore\X.X\InstallPath, possibly on Wow3264Node) either manually or using registration script.

Answer 2

Because what you're installing (you don't say what it is) seems to be standard distutils-generated installer (as Cat Plus Plus points out in his comment) you don't have to install it by running installer. You can install it using easy_install program what allows you to choose which Python to use. See my answer to Can I install Python windows packages into virtualenvs? question.

EDIT

Now I see in your comment you're installing setuptools. This complicates things a little bit as this is the package which contains easy_install tool I mentioned above. You have chicken/egg problem here... There's solution for this, however. You can use ez_setup script to install setuptools without using exe installer.