Linux gives the user power to make a mess in so many way....why the need for additional steps just to change the install folder name or location?

I much rather how Windows installers work, by default they install where everyone installs, but they give you the option of doing differently at install time, without the need of recompiling things nor doing manual changes after the installation.
edit: oh and there is even a trend now for also offering the option of keeping config files in the install folder instead of in the shared folder for config files