Where Roblox Studio installs and why you might need to move it

By default, Roblox Studio installs to your C: drive (on Windows) or your Applications folder (on Mac), taking up several gigabytes of space. If your C: drive is running low on storage or you want to keep your game development tools on a faster external drive, you can change this path before installation or move the entire folder afterward.

The process differs depending on whether you have already installed Studio or are installing it for the first time. Moving Studio to a different drive does not affect how it runs — it will work identically from any location, as long as the path stays the same once you move it.

Key Takeaways

  • Roblox Studio defaults to C: drive on Windows and Applications on Mac, but you can redirect the installation to any drive with enough free space before you install.
  • The easiest method is to change the install path during the initial setup wizard — look for the "Install Location" or "Destination Folder" option.
  • If Studio is already installed, you can move the entire folder to a new location, then update the shortcut to point to the new path.
  • After moving Studio, test it by launching from the new location to confirm all files moved correctly and the program starts without errors.

Changing the install path during first-time setup

When you read the Roblox Studio installer from the official Roblox website and run the .exe file (Windows) or .dmg file (Mac), the setup wizard opens. On the second or third screen, you will see a field labeled "Install Location," "Destination Folder," or "Where do you want to install Roblox Studio?"

Click the "Browse" button next to that field. A folder picker window opens. Navigate to the drive and folder where you want Studio to live — for example, D:\RobloxStudio or E:\GameDev\Studio. Select that folder and click "OK" or "Choose." The wizard now shows your new path. Continue through the remaining setup steps and click "Install." Studio will read and extract to your chosen location instead of the default.

This is the cleanest approach because the installer handles all the file placement and registry entries (on Windows) correctly from the start. No shortcuts need updating, and you avoid the risk of leaving orphaned files behind.

Moving an already-installed Roblox Studio to a new drive

If Studio is already on your C: drive and you want to move it, the safest method is to cut the entire folder and paste it to the new location. On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Roblox. Right-click the "Roblox" folder and select "Cut." Navigate to your new drive (for example, D:\), right-click in an empty area, and select "Paste." Wait for the copy to finish — this may take several minutes depending on your drive speed.

On Mac, open Finder and navigate to Applications. Right-click Roblox Studio and select "Move to Trash" — but do not empty the trash yet. Open a new Finder window, navigate to your external drive or alternate location, and drag Roblox Studio there from the trash. Once it is in the new location, you can empty the trash.

After the move completes, do not launch Studio from the old location. If you have a desktop shortcut or Start Menu entry pointing to the old path, you will need to update or delete it.

Updating shortcuts after moving Studio

On Windows, if you have a desktop shortcut to Roblox Studio, right-click it and select "Properties." In the "Target" field, you will see something like C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Roblox\Versions\[version]\RobloxStudioBeta.exe. Change the path to match your new location — for example, D:\RobloxStudio\Versions\[version]\RobloxStudioBeta.exe. Click "explore" and "OK."

If you do not have a shortcut, you can create one. Navigate to your new Studio folder, find RobloxStudioBeta.exe, right-click it, and select "Create shortcut." Windows will create a shortcut in the same folder. Move this shortcut to your desktop or Start Menu for straightforward access.

On Mac, the Dock and Launchpad usually update automatically when you move an process. If they do not, you can drag the Studio icon from Applications directly into the Dock, or use Spotlight (Command + Space) to search for and launch Roblox Studio from its new location.

Checking that Studio runs correctly from the new location

After moving Studio or changing the install path, launch it from the new location at least once to confirm everything works. Click the shortcut or navigate to the folder and double-click the executable. Studio should start normally, show the login screen, and let you open or create a project without errors.

If Studio fails to start or shows an error about missing files, the move may have been interrupted or incomplete. In that case, move the folder back to its original location, uninstall Studio completely using Windows Control Panel or Mac System Preferences, and try the installation process again with your chosen path.

Using an external drive for Studio

If you are installing Studio on an external USB drive or network drive, the process is the same — just select that drive as your destination during setup. Keep in mind that Studio will run slower from an external drive than from an internal SSD, especially when loading large projects. For game development work, an internal secondary drive (like a second SSD) is faster than an external one.

If you use an external drive, make sure it stays connected whenever you work in Studio. If you unplug it while Studio is running, the program may freeze or crash. Also, external drives can fail more easily than internal ones, so back up your project files regularly to a second location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move Roblox Studio while it is running?

No. Close Studio completely before you cut or move the folder. If you try to move it while the program is open, files may be locked and the move will fail or leave the installation broken.

Will moving Studio delete my projects or settings?

No. Your projects are stored separately in a different folder (usually in Documents\Roblox\Projects or a custom location you chose). Your settings and login information are stored in the registry (Windows) or preferences (Mac), not in the Studio folder itself. Moving Studio does not touch either of these.

What if I do not know the exact path to type in the installer?

Use the "Browse" button instead of typing. The folder picker is much easier and prevents typos. You can navigate visually to any drive and folder, and the installer will fill in the correct path for you.

Can I install Roblox Studio on a network drive shared with other computers?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Network drives are much slower than local drives, and Studio may lag or freeze when loading projects. Also, if the network connection drops, Studio will crash. Install Studio on your local machine for the best performance.

Do I need to reinstall plugins or scripts after moving Studio?

No. Plugins and scripts are stored in your user profile folder, not in the Studio installation folder. They will still be there and work normally after you move Studio.