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[bug] invasive procedure #2288
Description
Which part?
Desktop app
What happened?
The program installed itself in C: and wouldn't let me use templates on my computer. Could you make the program less picky? Not everything needs to go in C:.
What did you expect?
I was expecting a typical installation—a normal one.
How to reproduce
No response
Logs
Activity
Cedric921 commentedon Oct 17, 2026
I would like to take this.
surfsense_local/electron/electron-builder.ymlhas nonsisblock, so the Windows installer uses electron-builder's one-click default: per user, into%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\SurfSense, with no folder to pick.Proposed change:
nsis: { oneClick: false, perMachine: false, allowToChangeInstallationDirectory: true }. The installer shows a folder page, still installs per user, and needs no elevation. Updates keep running silently into the chosen folder; electron-updater reads the install location from the registry. The appId and the uninstaller key do not change, so existing installs upgrade in place.Two questions before I open the PR:
MrCandypro commentedon Oct 17, 2026
Yeah, that would be good. Two or three screens aren't a problem.
It wouldn't be a problem if the important data were stored on C either; it would be great if we were informed about it.
thanks
Cedric921 commentedon Oct 17, 2026
Thanks @MrCandypro. #2297 adds the folder page. The installer still installs for you alone, needs no admin rights, and updates go into the folder you picked.
On the data: models, workspaces and settings live in
.surfsensein your user folder (C:\Users\<you>\.surfsense), not in the install folder. Nothing in the app says so today, so a follow-up PR will show that folder in Settings › About, with a button to open it.Cedric921 commentedon Oct 17, 2026
The follow-up is #2298: Settings › About now shows the data folder, with a button to open it.