Petek: GOG's release of SMACX by default installs the games in the folder C:\GOG Games, not in a subfolder of C:\Program Files (x86). As I understand it, the C:\Program Files (x86) folder has special security settings to prevent malware from infecting a program. Does GOG's release of SMACX pose any security risks? Thanks.
The security features you are mentioning is to do with a Windows feature, called UAC, that restricts permissions for any program that is installed in Program Files/(x86). While this adds some security measures, in reality it conflicts with how many older games need to interact with files in their install directory as opposed to the User folders. Therefore it is highly recommended to install any older games to a separate directory such as the GOG default or C:\Games, for example.
Personally, I install
all my games to the directory C:\Games so as to eliminate any conflicts that UAC may have with their operation. This poses absolutely no security risk so long as the games themselves are from a trustworthy source, and indeed any security software you have installed will be monitoring all programs anyway.
Save yourself the headache and the hassle; just install your games outside of Program Files.
