Forum Discussion

Re: Unable to change game installation directory from EA desktop app

I had the exact same issue. However I did a little more digging and I found a perfect workaround. The only limitation is that you cannot change it on a per game basis as it is changing the global default for the EA Play Desktop application.

Exit the EA Play Desktop application by clicking the file menu option (3 line icon in the upper left corner) and click Exit.
Open the Windows File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<USER_NAME>\AppData\Local\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop. (<USER_NAME> is the Windows user you are logged in with).
- Example: C:\Users\jdoe\AppData\Local\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop
Open the user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini file in a text editor (Notepad, Notepad++, etc.)
- Example: user_17732925385589217201.ini
Edit the user.downloadinplacedir variable to have the correct path to use to download/install games.
- Example: user.downloadinplacedir=D:\Program Files\EA Games\
Save the changes to the user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini file.Relaunch the EA Play Desktop application and the default install location will now be correct.

9 Replies

Klordona
5 years ago
@rhentz Amazing worked like a charm, thanks for finding that work around
Void_Hunter
4 years ago
@rhentz hey umm cud u do like a video thingy cuz i cant understand step 3
rhentz
4 years ago
@Void_Hunter wrote:
@rhentzhey umm cud u do like a video thingy cuz i cant understand step 3

Here is a screenshot that should answer your question as to which file to open.

EDIT by EA_Jason: Made image clickable.
polYtoXXic
4 years ago
Boah......This change in the Config File is GOLD !!!! THX Alot. This was driving me nuts, to be not able to change the stupid directory.
Sometimes Programmers try to enable so many fancy features that they forget so simple things like an adjustable directory.....
THX for HELP !!!!
leandjoao
4 years ago
@rhentz Thank you so much!!
MSPCricket
4 years ago
Thanks to post #30 (rhentz)
The solution for me was slightly different as in my case the directory for user.downloadinplacedir was already set to desired directory yet EA Play kept installing to the C drive regardless.
1. Exits EA Play Application
2. Navigate to C:\Users\<username>\Appdata\Local\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop
3. Located user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini
4. Copied user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini over to the desktop
5. Deleted user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini within the C:\Users\<username>\Appdata\Local\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop directory
5. Launched EA Play Application then closed it down to generate a new user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini within the C:\Users\<username>\Appdata\Local\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop directory
6. Opened user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini located on the desktop using notepad
7.Copied line user.downloadinplacedir=<directory>
8. Opened user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.ini located within the C:\Users\<username>\Appdata\Local\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop directory
9. Pasted the line copied on step 7 and saved
emilovik91
4 years ago
I've tried this. It didn't help. ☹️ The game still downloads into another location than the location assigned by me. ☹️
DJSparkez
4 years ago
Another possible fix I found is through this reddit post: EA Desktop App - Downloads temp files going to C drive. Anyway to change this? : origin (reddit.com)
More specific the answer from HenpeckedLeader with the link to another help forum.
This are the steps I took:
1. I deleted the cache through the ea desktop app
2. Close the EA desktop app
2. Deleted the origin folder in AppData/Local
Hope it helps someone.
MrOlinad
Rising Novice
4 years ago
@MSPCricket yes!!! Thank you sir!