[Rd] Feature request: Change default library path on Windows

Gabor Grothendieck ggrothend|eck @end|ng |rom gm@||@com
Sun Jul 25 16:16:41 CEST 2021


At the very least it would be nice if there were a function that displays all
the locations/paths currently being used in R.

On Sat, Jul 24, 2021 at 6:15 PM Steve Haroz <steve.haroz using gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I'd like to propose moving the default library install location on Windows from:
> %USERPROFILE%/Documents/R
> to some other location such as:
> %USERPROFILE%/R
>
> For many users the Documents folder is backed up or synchronized.
> Installing libraries thrashes Documents, and it causes synchronization
> issues with Dropbox (I confirm this one), OneDrive, and users with
> Network IT policies.
>
> The vast majority of R users won't touch that folder and don't need it
> backed up. And, its contents are not really "documents".
>
> There are many blog posts and websites with people complaining about
> it or offering workarounds that involve hand editing setting and
> environment files, which reduces R's usability and accessibility.
> * https://community.rstudio.com/t/help-regarding-package-installation-renviron-rprofile-r-libs-r-libs-site-and-r-libs-user-oh-my/13888/5
> * https://accelebrate.com/library/how-to-articles/r-rstudio-library
> * https://community.rstudio.com/t/r-studio-library-installation-directory/30725/2
> * https://twitter.com/sharoz/status/1418712098444546057
> * https://twitter.com/JoeHilgard/status/1419025358070878210
>
> This change should not interfere with any project environment managers
> like renv. It should just change the global default for Windows R
> users.
> Also, I believe that on Mac it is not in Documents, but it's in the
> equivalent of %USERPROFILE%/R.
>
> Thanks,
> Steve Haroz
>
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