Define a "standard" location for log files in Windows 7.

[b-morgan]

Since Windows 7 doesn't allow users to write to the installation directory, MyDefrag should have a "standard" location to write log files. Maybe %APPDATA% ?

[jeroen]

The next version of MyDefrag will use a "Data" subdirectory in the MyDefrag folder, and this solves the write problem on Windows 7. I know that the Windows "standard" is to separate executables and data ("Program Files" and "User" folders), but I find that confusing and messy, and prefer to keep everything of a program together in a single folder.

[Kasuha]

Personally I find it much more messy if a program writes to its installation folder. I'd prefer if MyDefrag created a "MyDefrag" subdirectory in the Documents folder for logs as for most people it's much easier accessible place than to go to Program Files folder. It also allows the installations to be on a different disk than working data. And it also allows to put the Program Files folder to a separate zone which can have minimum to none file movement even if SortByName is used on it ... unless something new was installed or updated.

[frank77812]

I think that I prefer the simple option of using a particular folder. This is much cleaner and will be easier for people to understand. Have you guys implemented this yet? Have you ever looked into some sort of schlage access control? I would love to hear more about it.

[ff_mfg]

How about a file flag next to .exe? Small .ini with a customizable path might be even better, but probably a bit of overkill. But file flags are already somewhat frequently used, mostly for portable modes, but sometimes for storing in %APPDATA% as well, for example foobar2000 looks for file "user_profiles_enabled".

Edit: Hmm, wait. MyDefrag doesn't really need multi-user profiles, all users share the same disks.
There is %ALLUSERSPROFILE%, or [Shared] My Documents. I'm not sure what's most correct here...