How do I move my user profiles back to C:\user

[Kaktussoft]

Extract from my response to you in your other thread about this same subject:

Of course you can move the profile folders back to C:. Simply move your personal docs, pics and media (the content of the folders you have moved) from folders like Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos and so on in Users\Your_Username to an external device to make the current profile folders as empty as possible.

Now move the profile folders back to C: using the same method originally used for moving the folders, and upgrade.

How about settings in files in appdata? They still point to E!
Many references to E in registry as well.

You can do the move as KARI explains. But afterwards logon as RICK and run regedit. In HKEY_CURRENT_USER search for E:\users\rick and replace it with C:\users\rick

 

[Kari]

How about settings in files in appdata? They still point to E!
Many references to E in registry as well.

I do not know the method the OP had used to move folders (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/87555-user-profile-change-default-location.html), but reading the tutorial by Shawn now it seems that all registry related things will also be taken cared of.

The method I prefer automates everything; wherever you relocate the main user profile folder, all references to absolutely everything including AppData content "follow the suit". This is because the sysprep method changes the values of environment variables in a way which makes it easy for registry and settings to know what's happening and where the data is located.

 

[sargan]

I followed the instructions exactly as per tutorial.

You mention your new preferred method.

I have an existing W7 64 bit Ultimate install.
All I want to do is revert the profiles back to standard ...

Which is the best (simplest) method for me .... my profiles were moved as per tutorial ... and reside on E:\users\name and I need to get them and all registry settings back to C:\users\name

I have 3 profiles in total - 2 individuals and a guest.

I can just go though Tutorial again transposing destinations .... but if there is easier way I'll happily use.

 

[sargan]

[/QUOTE] How about settings in files in appdata? They still point to E!
Many references to E in registry as well.

You can do the move as KARI explains. But afterwards logon as RICK and run regedit. In HKEY_CURRENT_USER search for E:\users\rick and replace it with C:\users\rick[/QUOTE]


Not sure if this was a Q for me or not.
I have not changed anything yet ... other than moving pics, video, music, data off to a HDD to reduce profile size. No chnage to profiles or Registry - so they are still pointing to E:\

 

[gregrocker]

The tutorial clearly says in a red box to save a Win7 backup image because of the riskiness of this venture.

I would never move the entire User profile but instead only the active User folders using http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html or http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html. The AppData is intergrated into the registry so should remain with the OS on C.

Did you follow Method Two: To Restore the Existing User Profile's Default Location? What is the exact problem?

 

[Kari]

I would never move the entire User profile but instead only the active User folders using http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html or http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html. The AppData is intergrated into the registry so should remain with the OS on C.

"I think it is so. Ergo, it must be a fact." (Unknown philosopher)

Greg, I think it's time you set up a test system (vm is OK) and install Windows 7 as told in this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...reate-move-during-windows-7-installation.html.

Test it a few weeks, try to "break" it. Relocate the main profile folder several times to various drives, install apps, make system images and restore them. Do everything in your power in trying to get it fail.

When you then post your results, I promise I won't say "What did I tell you!".

I could write an essay about this subject to bore everyone, but the essence of it can be said quite shortly. In fact, I said it already in this thread, only three posts before yours:

How about settings in files in appdata? They still point to E!
Many references to E in registry as well.

I do not know the method the OP had used to move folders (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/87555-user-profile-change-default-location.html), but reading the tutorial by Shawn now it seems that all registry related things will also be taken cared of.

The method I prefer automates everything; wherever you relocate the main user profile folder, all references to absolutely everything including AppData content "follow the suit". This is because the sysprep method changes the values of environment variables in a way which makes it easy for registry and settings to know what's happening and where the data is located.

There's nothing wrong in doing things "my way". There's nothing wrong in criticizing a method or way to do things if you are sure you know it and have valid arguments against it. However, criticizing something purely because "I think it's not going to work" without any valid facts or arguments to support the objection, it is simply wrong.

Please test yourself. I am really sincere saying I promise not to say "What did I tell you!" afterwards.

Your virtual friend,

Kari

 

[gregrocker]

Kari your integrity is never in doubt with me or anyone I've ever heard, just different ways of doing things.

I respect your bringing Sysprep to consumers here and tout it at MVP Summit as an example of where IT Pro solutions have been popularized with consumers.

Just because I have different preferences for minimalism and automated methods doesn't mean I look askance on any of your more advanced solutions. Indeed I admire them and felt a sense of attack when I read technotainment writer Bott's misguided attack on the real tech pro's.

I wish I had time to broaden my borders more to accept your exciting challenges for Sysprep and Windows 8, but I am swamped to the point I can barely clear my case reply queue or answer new cases for my own specialties in real time any longer. The forums is breaking attendance records as Win7 reaches new heights of popularity wuth masses of XP and Win8 refugees installing it, often to perplexing EFI BIOS which are each different requiring specialized troubleshooting that can drag out for days. It can take twelve hours a day to handle the former caseload that took half that long, getting up during the night to keep cases going.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Moving user profile location has to be done BEFORE the user account is created. So during installation phase for example in audit mode.

Moving it later will give you small or major problems.

Best way in my opinion is (done when logged on with another user):

1. Copy the user profile folder and everything inside to onder drive. Do it with robocopy and copy permissions/owner.
2. Delete the old stuff.
3. Make a symlink using MKLINK command to new profile location.

So do the move trick on NTFS level instead of registry! Programs don't even notice you moved it!

 

[Kari]

Moving user profile location has to be done BEFORE the user account is created. So during installation phase for example in audit mode.

Moving it later will give you small or major problems.

Wrong. As the procedure can be reversed, it can also be redone.

The sysprep method for instance can be used without issues whenever user wants to. I've done it on systems a couple years old. Again, my recommendation is to set up a test rig and test yourself. Really. Test it and try to make it fail. I give you the same promise than I gave to Greg, I will not say afterwards "What did I tell you!".

What happens when you run Sysprep with an unattended answer file to relocate the main profile folder on an existing Windows 7 installation:

• The folder Users will be moved to another drive, completely with every existing user profile and everything they contain
• All future user profiles will automatically be created in the new location
• An OOBE first run boot is run, it's this phase where Windows checks the system and sets new environmental variables
• All profile related environment variables get new values, for instance when the procedure is done and user has relocated the Users folder on X: and types various profile related environment variables to Explorer addressbar followed by Enter, he is taken to:
  • %temp% > takes user to X:\Users\ProfileName\AppData\Local\Temp
  • %userprofile% > takes user to X:\Users\ProfileName
  • %localappdata% > takes user to X:\User\ProfileName\AppData\Local
  • ... and so on

Kari

 

[sargan]

The tutorial clearly says in a red box to save a Win7 backup image because of the riskiness of this venture.

I would never move the entire User profile but instead only the active User folders using http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html or http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html. The AppData is intergrated into the registry so should remain with the OS on C.

Did you follow Method Two: To Restore the Existing User Profile's Default Location? What is the exact problem?

I followed this Tutorial and installed w7, and again when I did a clean new install a year ago.
Is it a question of just following the original STEP1 .. and reverting profiles back to C:\

I have profiles on E:\ including appdata folder

The original point was I have to move these back to C:\ as Microsoft does not support 'repair' with Profiles being anywhere else.
When I looked on C:\ there have been some profile items added post move (details in thread #8) and do I overwrite these or merge when I move profiles back ?


If repair doe snot work I'll export profiles using Win tools, do a clean install and then import profiles, just would like to try repair first to avoid having to reinstall all programs & drivers .... takes days to get it all working again.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Moving user profile location has to be done BEFORE the user account is created. So during installation phase for example in audit mode.

Moving it later will give you small or major problems.

Wrong. As the procedure can be reversed, it can also be redone.

The sysprep method for instance can be used without issues whenever user wants to. I've done it on systems a couple years old. Again, my recommendation is to set up a test rig and test yourself. Really. Test it and try to make it fail. I give you the same promise than I gave to Greg, I will not say afterwards "What did I tell you!".


What happens when you run Sysprep with an unattended answer file to relocate the main profile folder on an existing Windows 7 installation:

• The folder Users will be moved to another drive, completely with every existing user profile and everything they contain
• All future user profiles will automatically be created in the new location
• An OOBE first run boot is run, it's this phase where Windows checks the system and sets new environmental variables
• All profile related environment variables get new values, for instance when the procedure is done and user has relocated the Users folder on X: and types various profile related environment variables to Explorer addressbar followed by Enter, he is taken to:
  • %temp% > takes user to X:\Users\ProfileName\AppData\Local\Temp
  • %userprofile% > takes user to X:\Users\ProfileName
  • %localappdata% > takes user to X:\User\ProfileName\AppData\Local
  • ... and so on

Kari

You're refering to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...reate-move-during-windows-7-installation.html ? "During installation" it says

 

[Kari]

You're refering to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...reate-move-during-windows-7-installation.html ? "During installation" it says

The tutorial name is misleading, I admit that.

However, at the very beginning of the tut is an Information box where you can see the highlighted text:

   Information

There are several methods to move user profiles to another disk or partition after you have installed Windows 7. The easiest way is to use Audit Mode and System Preparation Tool, both built-in Windows 7 features, to permanently move the location of the folder Users.

This tutorial shows how to relocate both Users and ProgramData to another disk or partition when doing a new, fresh and clean install of Windows 7. If you have already installed Seven, and you'd like to move those folders away from their default location in C: drive, please read first post number 22 in this thread. Follow the steps told in that post, and continue then from beginning of the page 4 in this tutorial.

The post #22 mentioned then explains how it's done on an existing installation:

OK, I have tested a new, different scenario now on three PC's, and it works. Here's what you should do if installing Seven on SSD and relocating User folders using this method, or if for any reason wanting to move ProgramData and / or Users after Windows is already installed. This method can be used whenever you want to relocate Users to another disk on an existing installation of Seven.

If you want to install Seven on an SSD: Install Seven normally to SSD, disconnecting all other disks. After Windows has booted first time normally after installation, shut the computer down and reconnect other disks. Reboot Windows.

Relocating Users and ProgramData folders when Windows Seven is already installed:

Run Command Prompt as administrator by clicking Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories, then right clicking Command Prompt and selecting Run as Administrator:

View attachment 128354

Type this to command prompt: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot, hit Enter.

View attachment 128355

Windows reboots now to Audit Mode, "thinking" it's been started first time as the message on screen shows:

View attachment 128356

Now continue from beginning of page 4 in tutorial, and follow the steps described. Running the script causes Windows to move ProgramData and Users folders from C: to another disk or partition, also moving all content of said folders. The later you do this, the longer it takes because Windows has more to move.

Notice that this really makes Windows think it's first boot, so you have to select country and keyboard layout and again create a user account when first time booted in OOBE (normal) mode after running the script. Because the Users folder already contains your user account folders, you get an error message if trying to input the same name:

View attachment 128342

Use a temporary name, for instance Test to continue first boot routine. When Windows stops for login, choose your old account to login, for instance in my case I chose here Kari and not the account Test which I just created:

View attachment 128343

When finally in Windows desktop, go to User Accounts and remove the unnecessary Test account. That account has yet no folders to remove because Windows does not create user folders when user account is created; the user folders are only created when user logs in first time.

That's it. Works without any problems whatsoever.

Kari

 

[sargan]

Guys .. as I am not installing windows, only wish to move profiles back to C:\ ... should I use the script just to move profiles, as you describe above "The post #22 mentioned then explains how it's done on an existing installation:". or is do I just move them (revert) as per the original tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/87555-user-profile-change-default-location.html

 

[Kari]

No Sargan. I want to apologize, this thread of yours has gone a bit off topic or at least expanded the topic beyong your original issue.

You need to revert the move of your profile folder(s) using the same method you originally used. You will create a total mess if you now use the Sysprep method to revert something you did with the registry editing method.

 

[sargan]

Thanks .. I'll go do that .... I'll admit did seem to be getting quite involved.