Windows 7 - User Folders - Change Default Location

The advantage of Shawn's suggestion is that you still have the default folders on C, but they take practically no disk space because they are initially empty. But over time, the system and some programs create all kinds of little folders in those defauld folders - especially in Documents. Those usually take very little space. So they are not a problem for disk space usage.

If you do like Shawn says, you do not have those automatically generated folders mixed in with your own folders which I think is an advantage.

Thanks Brink and whs.

I love it! So you're saying, don't even mess with the user default folders. After the OS is restored, leave the user folders at their default locations. Just "include" the folders on the K drive to their respective libraries. Is there any need to change the Registry entries so My Music, My Pictures, My Videos and Personal reference K:\ drive?

That's even better if I don't have to mess with the user default folders at all.

I'm not concerned about disk space. The real advantage for me is keeping the data and OS on separate drives. If you lose the "C" drive like I did, you don't lose all the stuff collected over the years or vice versa. Besides, it's easier to back up.

Thanks.

No need to anything other than INCLUDE. Just right click on the folders and INCLUDE them into their respecive libraries (you'll see). This is how I do it on all my systems now after I had trouble a few times moving the default locations.

Library - Include a Folder

Just want to make sure I understand what I need to do. On the surface, it sounds too easy. My K drive is still good so I want to acces the drive as is. This is a complete Windows 7 system install. Several years ago when I originally redirected my folders, I thought I had to edit the Registry Shell Folders and edit the libraries to point to the right folder on K drive. Maybe my mind is playing games with me.

See example -



You are saying that I don't have to follow the tutorial "How to Change the Default Location of Windows 7 User Folders" and I don't have to worry about the Registry settings (My Music, My Pictures, My Video, Personal) pointing to the right K folders on the K drive. All I need to do is "Include" them into their respective Libraries and the Registry will end up pointing to their folders on the K drive?

Sorry to repeat myself but I hope to get this correct the first time around.

Just right click on the 'K' folders and INCLUDE into tha appropriate libraries.

Just completed rebuilding my Windows 7 "C" drive. Per instructions, proceeded to INCLUDE my existing "K" documents drive with MY MUSIC and MY PICTURES into the appropriate libraries. However, now there are 3 folders listed for each Library. Under libraries Documents, Music, Pictures are listed My Documents, Public Documents and "K" drive, user folder Music, Public Music and My Music, user folder Pictures, Public Pictures and My Pictures. I'm not concerned about the Public folders.

I loaded an application and it created a new file in the users/owners/My Documents folder. Not what I wanted. I was hoping to have the app place the new file on drive "K" where all my documents are located.

What do I need to do to just have only the appropriate one folder on the existing "K" drive referemced? eg. Library Document reference drive "K", Music reference My Music on "K", My Pictures on "K"?

Yes, what you see is normal. I have the same setup. It is practical because the system and program generated folders go into the default and do not get mixed with your own data. There will not be many (mostly in Documents) and they are usually small.

But if you want to have them in your included folders on K, right click on the Documents library > Properties. Highlight the K folder and click on the 'Set save location' button. Don't forget APPLY.

Library - Set Save Folder

Thank you whs and Brink,

My Libraries are set exactly how I was hoping they would be. It was easy with your help and assistance. Thank you very much.

whs, I like the idea of of keeping the system folder listed in the Library. It keeps me alert as to what an app writes into the system folder.