How to relocate installation folder in MetaDefender Core on Windows?

Overview

Some users prefer to install or move the installation folder to a specific storage location but are unsure which files or folders will be created after running the installer. Creating a procedure and listing the necessary paths can help users make informed decisions when selecting or relocating installation directories.

Use Case

Relocating the installation folder from C:\Program Files\OPSWAT\MetaDefender Core\ to a new location, e.g., E:\OPSWAT\MetaDefender Core.

Prerequisites

Users need to prepare a directory in advance for storing temporary files.

Steps to Configure

1. Stop the MetaDefender Core Service

Stop the MetaDefender Core service (ometascan or OPSWAT MetaDefender Core) before proceeding.

2. Move the Installation Folder

Manually move the entire MetaDefender Core folder from: C:\Program Files\OPSWAT\MetaDefender Core
to the new location: E:\OPSWAT\MetaDefender Core\

3. Create new temp folder with full permission in the new installation folder:

Full path of a directory to use for storing temporary files. Users need to prepare this directory in advance.

MetaDefender Core creates a subfolder called resources in this folder.

4. Update the Windows Registry

• Open the Registry Editor (regedit).
• Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OPSWAT\Metascan
• Update the InstallationFolder value: Edit the InstallationFolder key and change its value to the new path: E:\OPSWAT\MetaDefender Core
• In Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OPSWAT\Metascan\global, add new value for tempdirectory with new data: E:\MetaDefender Core\temp
• Under Metascan, create a new key and name it internal.
• Inside internal, create a new String value and name it data_directory.
• Set the data_directory value to: E:\OPSWAT\MetaDefender Core\data
• This change ensures that MetaDefender Core correctly references the new data path for its database, updates, and other critical files.

• In Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OPSWAT\Metascan\logger, edit the new path for logfile and nginx_logfile
  1. logfile: E:\MetaDefender Core\data\logs\core.log
  2. nginx_logfile: E:\MetaDefender Core\nginx\nginx.log

• Change a Windows service executable path:
  • Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ometascan
  • Change data value of Image Path to “E:\OPSWAT\MetaDefender Core\ometascan.exe”

5.SSL configuration reset:

MetaDefender Core relies on nginx for its web interface. On startup, nginx will check the configured location for the SSL certificate, will attempt to load it into C:\Windows\Temp\ometascan and then will start and be ready to accept connections.

If at any time the certificate is deleted or removed, nginx will no longer be able to start and this will cause Core to completely fail. the best option will be to reset the SSL configuration and, once the Core service is successfully restarted using HTTP, the certificate can be imported back into the MetaDefender Core certificate inventory and the HTTPS configuration can be reenabled.

6. Restart MD Core service:

Start the MetaDefender Core service (ometascan or OPSWAT MetaDefender Core) and verify that the application functions correctly in the new location.