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Express installs on PC harddisk (not C: drive), BaseCamp does not find it - solution

Former Member
Former Member
Hello to all,

I'm new to this forum and did a number of searches relating to my issue and my solution for it. Nothing found so far, so I better share my solution.

I'm using Garmin motorcycle navi systems like Zumo 550 since 2006 (still does the job!) and since one year a Zumo 345.

Using current versions of maps (Europa) and software (Express, Basecamp) I had the following issue, but did find a pretty simple solution.

Normally, as far as I understand it, Express installs the software and map(s) assuming that when you will be using Basecamp to develop a new route your Zumo has to be USB connected. For map information it uses the map(s) installed in your Zumo. This, however, is from a usage point quite slow and tedious. It does work, but it gets too slow to be comfortable.

However, Express does offer a function to install the map(s) to your PC's harddisk. Even better, it allows for selecting another drive/path then the usual C: drive. For me, that's where the OS is located and the usual software. For the big sizes of maps, it's a lot better to use another, big, disk like D: or E: or whatever. So, selecting a non-standard map on say the E: drive does the trick.

Express does install everything, but also/still installs the map(s) on the C: drive. Come to that later. It also installs the map and stuff on your E: path selected. Fine.

Not fine is the fact that Basecamp later on does not find this E: based map. Zumo is not connected and the only map is the default worldmap. Where is my Europe map? It is installed, so why not usable?

Checking the C: based installation maps, I find a subdirectory called Maps. In this folder there is a link to the E: drive map. And it's content, the path where the E: map is located, is indeed present and seems OK.

Why does Basecamp not follow this link?

More or less by accident, I found the solution. But, I do not really understand it: I renamed the original link file to X.backup and made a new link to the E: based map. Checked it and that link was OK. Restarted Basecamp and voilà! My European map can be selected and used.

So, I now have a working system on a Windows 7 system. Just to make sure, I did the same Express installation on another Windows 10 PC in our house. Installing the map on a non-C: drive. The same malfunction in Basecamp, no map found, removed the original link, made a new one and now this one also works!

As stated, I have no clue of the reason, but it may be a user/Admin rights issue of some sort? On both systems I am a user with Admin rights.


So for all of you wanting to have the map on a non-C: drive, above solution works. But, it's not clear why !

Garmin, anybody?

Met vriendelijke groeten / With kind regards,

Bart Sanders

P.S.: In order to free up space on your C: drive, the map also installed here can be deleted safely. Another +5 Gb for the OS to work with!