My Documents/My Pictures - Alternate Location Possible?


  1. Toddsta
    Posts : 46
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       New #1

    Libraries/My Pictures - Alternate Location Possible?


    Hi good people!

    I would like to have my Windows 7 Pro 64 bit OS customized so that the "Libraries/Documents (pictures/music/video, etc) is on my "D" Drive instead of my "C (boot)" drive.

    Is this possible??

    If so, can you give me 3rd grade instructions as how to do this in a step-by-step?

    I want to be able to use the Windows 7 Live Photo Gallery as my default program to organize the photos as well.

    Does Windows Live Photo Gallery function as a vessel to view and manipulate the photos on the C boot-up hard drive, while the actual photos might be saved by default on my D drive?

    Please help! Thank you for taking the time to think this thru.
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  3. Brink
    Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #2

    Hello Toddsta,

    The tutorial below can help show you how to change (move) the default location of your user folders.

    User Folders - Change Default Location


    I haven't used that program, so I can't help with it.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
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  4. Toddsta
    Posts : 46
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Brink - thank you for that advice!

    I followed the instructions exactly: I created a new file on another drive called "My Pictures" which is what the Pictures folder is called under the "start" menu (instead of "Pictures" which is the title of that folder under the "Libraries" Folder).

    I clicked on "yes" at the end when it asks if I'm sure I want to change the location...but, unlike the instructions... I still have a duplicate copy of all my pictures files/folders on the C drive??!!

    According to the instructions, the original location/folder and files should have disappeared altogether and been moved to only the new/specified drive.

    What did I do wrong? I followed each step exactly as outlined.

    Thanks for your help and patience!
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  6. Brink
    Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #4

    Toddsta,

    If you look at the folder's property page to the one like in step 6, does it show the new location now? If so, the files are stored at the new location now. What you see in the Start Menu is just a shortcut that opens from the new location.
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  7. Toddsta
    Posts : 46
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Good morning.

    Brink - it says: D:\My Pictures.

    All my pictures are now going to the D drive as I intended, but just curious why the same "My Pictures" folder was still showing with a copy of all my pictures in the original location? The instructions said that the original folder would disappear.

    I went back into "Libraries" folder and just 'right-clicked' on 'Pictures' folder (which was the original location for pictures on the C drive) and then clicked 'delete.' The folder is gone, and has not reappeared after a reboot....so I guess I'm good to go now?
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  8. Brink
    Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #6

    These user folders in the Start Menu are special folders with a symbolic link that keep them connected no matter where the true folder location actually is. Think of it as just a shortcut that points to the actual user folder.

    If you do not want you user folders included in the libraries, then you are good to go. If you do want them in there, then you will need to include the D:\My Pictures user folder in the Music library and so on for any other user folder that you moved. The tutorial below can help show you how to if needed.

    Library - Include a Folder
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