Can I relocate AppData to a location off my C:\ drive?


  1. lbeck
    Posts : 65
    Win 7 pro 64 bit
       New #1

    Can I relocate AppData to a location off my C:\ drive?


    I have installed a much smaller SSD to be used as my boot drive and for special programs only. I have been able to redirect the My Documents folder to a larger HDD to save space. Yet, when I go to C:\Users...AppData I see about 40 GB of stuff stored there.

    I think this is program application data. How can I move that to my larger drive and also have future appdata directed there rather than my smaller boot drive. Also, what danger, if any, is there in doing this?

    Thanks
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  3. Gator
    Posts : 1,810
    Dual Boot: Windows 8.1 & Server 2012r2 VMs: Kali Linux, Backbox, Matriux, Windows 8.1
       New #2

    It is not recommended to move this folder. A better idea is to make sure you keep it clean by using disk cleanup or a program like CCleaner. This should not be too large as long as you keep it cleaned up. Also, the size of this folder can be a little misleading. If you really want to move this folder, check out the link below.

    Complete Guide to Symbolic Links (symlinks) on Windows or Linux
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  4. lbeck
    Posts : 65
    Win 7 pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Can you explain why the size may be misleading? I suspected this since properties reports it as 40 gb on my 128 GB SSD. My mental estimate estimated that it shouldn't be that large.
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  6. Gator
    Posts : 1,810
    Dual Boot: Windows 8.1 & Server 2012r2 VMs: Kali Linux, Backbox, Matriux, Windows 8.1
       New #4

    Well it can be misleading because a lot of times what is in that folder is only program settings that are being loaded on the fly and temp data. Also, if you have an Appdata program that is that big, its most likely a backup of some sorts that is causing it. Unless you have A LOT of programs. Did you try disk cleanup and/or CCleaner to clean it up? Or if you want to you can poke around the folder and find out exactly why its so big.

    You can use a program like WinDirStat to see what folders are the largest.
    https://windirstat.info/
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  7. lbeck
    Posts : 65
    Win 7 pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thanks Gator.

    Yes, I did use CCleaner and it didn't help much. Most of my space is apparently used by stuff that I need or want. I did install windirstat and I think I like it better. I had been using sequoiaview and TreeSize that do much the same things, but windirstat combines them.

    I think I'll just continue to work with the free space that I have - and on your advice I won't mess with the AppData folder.

    I'll continue to play around with my files and folders to maximize my SSD free space. I'm learning as I go....

    Thanks again
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