Windows 7: Changing download directory for Windows Media Center

Hi, I'm new so I'm expecting big things from the forum. I want programs that I download through Windows Media Center to be downloaded to a directory on an exernal drive rather than WMC's default directory. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My C: drive would appreciate it too. Thanks.
heruns

I really didn't think I was asking such a difficult question. I'm at least glad a few people LOOKED at my post. Well, if no one knows the answer then maybe someone can tell me when I might possibly get it.
Heruns

Not sure how you can change it within WMC, but you could create your folder on your external storage, and then link it back to the WMC folder.

1. create your folder on external storage
2. copy contents of WMC download folder to folder on external storage
3. delete the WMC download folder
4. mklink new folder to WMC download folder:

mklink /j <external storage folder> <WMC download folder>

When WMC downloads now, it will still download to it's original folder, but windows will re-direct it to the folder you created on the external storage.

Hope this helps.

You just use the preferences facility inside WMC to set the storage folder of your choice... however, that said, it'll only work *IF* the external drive has a *FIXED DRIVE LETTER* you realise...

I looked for "preferences", but the only thing I could find when I opened up WMC that looked like it might be it was "settings". That didn't have a preference subcategory. Therefore, I need assistance in finding the "preferences" location. I hope that you can help me further. Thanks.
heruns

Qbers wrote, "Not sure how you can change it within WMC, but you could create your folder on your external storage, and then link it back to the WMC folder.

1. create your folder on external storage
2. copy contents of WMC download folder to folder on external storage
3. delete the WMC download folder
4. mklink new folder to WMC download folder:

mklink /j <external storage folder> <WMC download folder>

When WMC downloads now, it will still download to it's original folder, but windows will re-direct it to the folder you created on the external storage.

Hope this helps"

A couple of questions:
1. I have no problem with step 1;
2. at this point I don't have anything in the WMC download folder to copy over to the external drive;
3 & 4. if I delete the WMC download folder how does WMC know where to send it?;
what do you EXACTLY mean by "mklink the new folder to WMC download folder"?;
How can anything be linked to a folder I have already deleted?; Where is the
mlink command actually inserted? Do I have to do it through the command prompt
window (DOS); If so, is there a path that has to be designated before the
command?; Is it done through the registry instead?

I guess my point is that I don't know how to do it and I need more like step-by-step instructions. Sorry to make busy work for you. I do hope you will take the time to help.
heruns

Hi heruns.

OK, step 1 is OK, step 2 can be ignored if empty.

If you follow the mklink link to WikiPedia, it explains what it does.

Basically it allows you to put a "junction" in place so that data is diverted to a different location without having to worry about changing the application.

If you delete the folder that WMC uses, and then use the same name in the mklink command, then WMC won't know any difference.

Perhaps step 4 should have read:

4. Open a command prompt (start –> “cmd” –> enter)
Next create a directory junction by entering :

mklink /j <external storage folder> <WMC download folder>

I don't know what the name of the WMC download folder is, but that's what need to go into the <WMC download folder> parameter.

So for exmaple, if you have created a folder on your external storage call X:\WMC_DOWNLOADS, and the WMC downloads folder was call c:\Program Files\Windows Media Center\Downloads, then the command would be :

cd c:\Program Files\Windows Media Center
mklink /j c:\Program Files\Windows Media Center\Downloads X:\WMC_DOWNLOAD



I hope this helps !!

So where did this screen-grab come from?

Hi,

Thanks for the "visual" help. This allowed me to find the right place to make the changes I wanted to. As far as I know, the case can be closed. Thank you everyone who lended a hand.

Walter

I am having this problem also, I store the files on external hard drive but when I expand the WMC library it seems to copy the files and reduces C: availability. I can't even find the WMC download folder, can someone give me the path? also, if I take the steps described above will it cause a problem for the pics/music paths that I have given to WMC?
Thanks