How can I change default location of Windows Live Mail Contacts file?

I run a desktop system with multiple physical hard drives. I maintain a strict practice of locating ALL data files on a drive other than drive C. This includes my Internet Explorer Favorites, my e-mail and my e-mail address book. Using Outlook Express under Windows XP, I have been able to do this with no difficulty, though sometimes editing the Registry was necessary.

Now, switching over to Windows 7, I can no longer use Outlook Express. So I am trying to set up Windows Live Mail so that BOTH the e-mail files and the Contacts file (address book) are located on a different drive. There is a built-in provision in Windows Live Mail to change the default location of the e-mail files themselves but there does not appear to be any provision for changing the location of the Contacts file, even by editing the Registry (so far as I can see).

Does anyone know if it is POSSIBLE to do this, and if so, HOW?

Regards to all,
1oldguy

It's possible that relocating the entire user profile to another hard drive might be a solution. However leaving it on the root drive would not, as the entire object is to get the contacts file off the root drive. However I really don't like the idea of relocating the entire user profile since most of what is in the user profile relates to operational aspects of installed software programs which are, of course, on the root drive.

The purpose of moving certain files that contain data off the root drive is to protect that data in the event of a root drive crash (virus caused or hardware failure). I have been using this technique for a long time, since at least the era of Windows-95, and it has saved me from disaster on more than one occasion. In my system, all user-created or downloaded data files are stored on a separate physical hard drive and all those data files are periodically backed up onto a third separate physical hard drive.

Anything that wipes out my root drive (which has happened) will only affect the root drive, not other drives where my data are stored. I have, on more than one occasion, had to completely re-install my operating system and all the software. I even once had to replace a defective root drive. But, storing my data files as I do, I have never lost a file in nearly 20 years.

If it turns out that the contacts (address book) for Windows Live Mail cannot be relocatd as I wish, perhaps I will have to use another third party e-mail program.

Thank you for your reply.
1oldguy

I just got a suggestion from someone on another forum (at Microsoft). He suggested using a symbolic link to link to the file on another drive. I had never tried symbolic links before but intend to explore it in a day or so when I get the time. It is possible that this could be the solution.

Neither had I before this. It seems that a symbolic link is a way to "trick" a program into thinking a folder (directory) that is actually in some other location is in the original location that program uses. If you want more information, go to Google and enter "symbolic links". You will find a host of articles about it. Microsoft also has info. on it on their website.