Can Users Folder Be Put on Different Drive?

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  1. Posts : 288
    Windows 7 64-bit
       #1

    Can Users Folder Be Put on Different Drive?


    I'm looking at getting a solid state HD to put Windows boot files on. 120Gb ones look 'reasonable' these days at around £150.
    Although I have 4 x 500Gb at the moment, my Photos and Games are on separate drives, but my Windows drive is using around 160Gb mainly because my User folder is there with Documents, Music, etc.
    Can this be relocated? If so, how?
    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,978
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Imacken,

    This can help show you how to. :)

    User Profile - Change Default Location

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 288
    Windows 7 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Shawn. Thanks again. This forum always has been a real pleasure to use.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,978
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    You're most welcome. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 571
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #5

    Based on the information in this post, I was finally able to move the User folder to another drive.
    This is something I've been thinking about doing for a long time.

    It worked! But there is a caveat I think worth mentioning:
    Some of the programs I had installed have "broken" because of this change. They are still looking for their information in the User Folder's original location- which, of course, no longer exists.

    Something to think about before implementing this option.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #6

    @rap33042

    Next time when reinstalling, you might want to try this: User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

    Because it changes the value of the environment variable %userprofiles% before even the first user account is created, changing the value from C:\Users to whatever you want to, it is 100% safe and fail-proof method to relocate user folders. All new accounts are automatically created on chosen drive, no need to repeat the procedure if you for instance have to restore system to a point before you manually moved the folders.

    Kari
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 71,978
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #7

    rap33042 said:
    Based on the information in this post, I was finally able to move the User folder to another drive.
    This is something I've been thinking about doing for a long time.

    It worked! But there is a caveat I think worth mentioning:
    Some of the programs I had installed have "broken" because of this change. They are still looking for their information in the User Folder's original location- which, of course, no longer exists.

    Something to think about before implementing this option.
    You may be able to uninstall and reinstall these programs, or use OPTION TWO in the tutorial to create a new user account and create new shortcuts for the programs to fix this.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 571
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #8

    You are absolutely right, Kari.

    I mention this only because I did it after I had a lot of programs already installed- it wasn't a W7 re-install.

    It hasn't been catastrophic; only a couple of programs 'broke' and I didn't have to re-install the programs to get them to work.

    Thanks for the input & link, though.
    I'll certainly remember this if I ever have to re-install W7- shee! I hope I don't have to do that again anytime soon
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,978
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #9

    I've added a warning in the tutorial to help.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #10

    If an app looks AppData from old location and there's no way to change it, maybe as first aid you could create C:\Users\Your_User_Name\AppData again, and move the folders / files needed back to respective Local, LocalLow and Roaming subfolders?

    Might just work.

    Kari
      My Computer


 
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