Question regarding changing default location of Music and video files

Topjack · 01 Jan 2014

I was reading in the tutorials about changing default location of files and folders and not sure if I understand it correctly. I would like to take my Windows 7 Library and move it from my C: drive to my HDD which is D: C: is my SSD 80gb that has my windows 7 on it and D: drive is a 500gb HDD that I use for storage. I use iTunes and the music and movies take up way to much space on the C: drive. In the past I have tried installing iTunes on D: but all music and video's went to those folders on C: If I can relocate the Libraries, my space problem would be helped greatly.

Brink · 01 Jan 2014

Hello Jack,

Yep, you have it confused just a bit.

You would not be able to move a library since a library is just a collection of folders.

If you like, you could include a folder (new folder if needed) that's located where you want to save the files at in a library. Afterwards, set that folder as the default save location of the library. This way anything you save into the library will get saved to the folder by default.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

Topjack · 01 Jan 2014

Brink, Not sure if my old brain understands completely. Lets say I go into D: and create a folder named Library. and then go into C: user, locate the folder for music and video right click each and change default location to D: Library. Would that then put all music and movies on the D: instead of C: ? I recently reinstalled Windows so as of now I have not re installed iTunes that my music and movies are on. My hope is to have any video and music I install default to the new location so as not to take up any more room on my C: SSD.

Brink · 01 Jan 2014

Not quite.

Folder and Library are separate items.

Be sure to read the links in my post above and below to help with more details.

Basically, you would do this below for each Music and Videos library: :)

Create a New Folder on D: with a name you like.
Move/copy any files (ex: videos) into that New Folder on D:.
Include the New Folder in say your Videos library.
Set the default save location of the Videos library to be the New Folder on D:.

jc836 · 01 Jan 2014

To answer this--you want to move the folders containing the Music and Video files from C: to D:. If that C:\Library (or whatever)is correct, then create a folder called Library on the D; drive. Then you can copy ALL of the folders in the C:\library folder to D: by using the Paste command for the new Library folder. This will take everything, including the existing folder structure and put it on D:. Once you are absolutely positive that everything has been copied and backed up externally too-then you can delete the files on C giving you the added space you want.

BE ABSOLUTELY certain to BACK UP everything that you will be moving. Good luck

whs · 01 Jan 2014

It is actually dead simple.

Any folder in any partition or disk (internal or external) can be included into any library. Just right click on the folder and INCLUDE it into the library of your choice.

If you want to make that folder the 'default folder', go to the library properties where you can set that.

Note: the folder must be on a disk - USB flash drives do not work with that.

Topjack · 02 Jan 2014

Thank you all for your help. I now have a better understanding of how to do this. One last thing I enjoy coming to this forum and everyone has been great when it comes to helping others. Now to take my new info and make the changes before I forget lol.

Brink · 02 Jan 2014

You're most welcome. I'm glad that we could help. :)

whs · 02 Jan 2014

Brink said:

You're most welcome. I'm glad that we could help. :)

Slartybart · 02 Jan 2014

Yes, you can change the Location of certain user folders (Properties->Location Tab)
See: User Folders - Change Default Location

Yes, Libraries reference many folders, so you can simply make a new folder for your items (can be any type... not just docs,pics, mux,vids), add that to teh coresponding Library, and make it the default save location in the Library.

Often older applications do not take into account the Library default save location and default to the My folders. It is a minor note.

I think the reference to Library folder on D might have added some confusion. Either way (moving the My folder location or adding folders on D) works.

Topjack said:

..... Lets say I go into D: and create a folder named Library. and then go into C: user, locate the folder for music and video right click each and change default location to D: Library.
.....