There are many times when internet has answers to many questions. To get the right answer, you need to search for the right keyword and it comes from practice. Let us learn how we can fix the error Unable to Change “Shared Feature Directory” Under Feature Selection.
One of my blog readers pinged on Skype and told that they need quick assistance as they are unable to proceed with SQL Server installation. They were trying to install SQL Server 2014, but they were unable to change the shared feature installation directory in the setup.
As we can see above that both the textbox and browse button were disabled and it was stopping them to choose the desired path.
WORKAROUND/SOLUTION
I was able to find the cause for them. As per my search on the internet, if there are any shared components installed on a server in the default path, then we will not be able to change the default shared future path. It is not just a SQL version which we are installing. Even if we have any other instance shared directory installed in other drives. We will not be able to change the path during the next installation. So, what can be done? Well, if you really want to install the shared components in some other drives, then the currently installed drive, then we need to uninstall currently installed instances and have to install the new instance in different drives.
Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.SQLAuthority.com)
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