Solved Moving 'My Documents' folder; strange results

[colt]

I recently installed a SSD as the boot drive and made the original HDD a data drive. I wanted to move the data intensive user folders over to the data drive.

I go to C:\users\myName, select My Documents and change location to D:\My Documents.

Before moving, My Documents contains 2535 files, and this is what D:\My Documents shows, so that's fine.

But now there is a new folder in C:\users\myName\ called 'Documents' (the original 'My Documents' folder is no longer listed in C:\users\myName). This new C:\users\myName\Documents folder contains 655 files.

One example of a subfolder in My Documents is the Dropbox folder. In D:\MyDocuments\Dropbox there are 1090 files.

In C:\users\myName\Documents there are 628 files.

 

[colt]

To undo this, I went to D:\My Documents, and in the Location tab, selected Restore Default.

Of course some of the files being copied already exist in c:\users\myName\Documents. So I expected to have to copy and replace (or skip) 655 files. Instead, it turned out to be 649 files, which just adds further confusion.

And once this process completed, the folder in c:\users\myName\ is no longer called 'Documents', it's 'My Documents'.

Would love it if someone could explain the logic of what Windows is doing here (e.g., why was there a 'Documents' folder left in c:\users\myName\ with 655 files?) along with the naming conventions for these user folders.

When I moved c:\users\myName\Downloads to d:\Downloads, it moved the folder, and there was no c:\users\myName\Downloads remaining. This was also surprising because I thought it's supposed to leave a Downloads folder that acts as a pointer to the new location.


Should mention that D: is a Truecrypt encrypted partition occupying an entire HDD. But I think that's transparent to Windows, which just sees it as a regular partition.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you follow exactly the steps to move User Folders - Change Default Location?

Sometimes restoring the default requires extra steps which must be completed at length exactly as shown in User Folders - Restore Default Location - Windows 7 Forums.

 

[colt]

Did you follow exactly the steps to move User Folders - Change Default Location?

I didn't follow this guide per se, but those are the same steps I used.

I'll try again using these steps exactly as written.

Two questions:
1. In step 3, it says to name the new folder without spaces, but in the example provided, the new folder is named 'My Music' with a space. So are spaces ok or not?

2. To access the user folders location, step 5 suggests using shell:UsersFilesFolder
That brings up an explorer view that is very similar to, but not exactly the same as, c:\users\myName\ - the difference I notice is that on the latter, I can select all files and folders, right click and select Properties, and the Properties dialogue box comes up. In the former view (the one gotten to via shell:UsersFilesFolder or alternatively via clicking Start button, then username at the top of right column), when I select all files and folders, right click and select Properties, nothing happens - I think this is a libraries view. But I could be wrong.

Anyway, is it OK for me to access the folder I want to move by going to c:\users\myName\ instead of using shell:UsersFilesFolder?

 

[gregrocker]

Drop the "My" in the name when creating the new folder.

You wouldn't select all User folders to choose Properties box. Do them individually for only the folders you use and want to move.

I only call up the Shell user folders if I need to Restore User Folders Default Location and must reconstruct the folder from scratch because it's been lost and can't be found. You can run the Move operations from your named User folder.

 

[tblob]

And once this process completed, the folder in c:\users\myName\ is no longer called 'Documents', it's 'My Documents'.

Is there any chance that you are seeing window's "libraries" and not folders? The library is called "Documents" and the specific default user folder that is usually included in that library is called "My Documents". Sounds like you may not be familiar with folders versus libraries. If this is not the case, please forgive me.

As a side note, there mere existence of the libraries feature means that you don't even have to move the My Documents folder. The "Documents" library can simply point to a new documents folder of your choosing, in any location or drive, without ever moving anything.

 

[colt]

Drop the "My" in the name when creating the new folder.

Will do, thanks.

You wouldn't select all User folders to choose Properties box. Do them individually for only the folders you use and want to move.

Yes, understood. I only mentioned that to demonstrate that shell:UsersFilesFolder does not bring me to exactly the same view as navigating to c:\users\myName.

You can run the Move operations from your named User folder.

OK, thanks. That's how I performed the move described in the OP. Will do so again using the guide on this forum.

 

[colt]

And once this process completed, the folder in c:\users\myName\ is no longer called 'Documents', it's 'My Documents'.

Is there any chance that you are seeing window's "libraries" and not folders?

Possibly. I just navigated to c:\users\myName\

The library is called "Documents" and the specific default user folder that is usually included in that library is called "My Documents". Sounds like you may not be familiar with folders versus libraries. If this is not the case, please forgive me.

You are correct. I am not particularly familiar with libraries.

As a side note, there mere existence of the libraries feature means that you don't even have to move the My Documents folder. The "Documents" library can simply point to a new documents folder of your choosing, in any location or drive, without ever moving anything.

OK, so if I'm understanding this correctly,

1. I can create a d:\documents folder (in the root of my data drive)
2. add this folder to the 'Documents' library

My goal is to move the data intensive user folders (at least the ones that can be easily moved without registry editing or special programs) like My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos, My Music, and Downloads to the data drive. Can I use the libraries feature to accomplish this? Wouldn't it still require physically moving the files in these user folders from the boot drive to the data drive?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, you can as an alternative first try copying User folders to the data drive to add to Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

Then set that folder as Library - Set Save Folder - Windows 7 Help Forums

I'd keep the C user folder in the Library so you can see visually if anything lands in it to drag over to the data drive's User folder.

If this is to your liking then it isn't necessary to move the shell User folder.

 

[colt]

Yes, you can as an alternative first try copying User folders to the data drive to add to Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

Then set that folder as Library - Set Save Folder - Windows 7 Help Forums

I'd keep the C user folder in the Library so you can see visually if anything lands in it to drag over to the data drive's User folder.

I can do this, but to accomplish the goal of getting my user data (see below quote) off the boot drive and onto the data drive, wouldn't there be extra steps?

If I understand this correctly, the steps described above would ensure that new files and new saves of existing files would placed in the designated folder(s) on the data drive, but would not change the location of existing files in c:\users\myName\

My goal is to move the data intensive user folders (at least the ones that can be easily moved without registry editing or special programs) like My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos, My Music, and Downloads to the data drive. Can I use the libraries feature to accomplish this? Wouldn't it still require physically moving the files in these user folders from the boot drive to the data drive?

Or are you suggesting I should:
1. add a new folder on d:\ to a library, e.g., add d:\My Documents to library 'Documents'
2. set d:\My Documents as the default save location for library 'Documents'
3. drag and drop contents of c:\users\myName\My Documents into d:\My Documents

 

[Barman58]

Try this ...

Create required empty folders on the data drive (you can also use an existing folder even if it contains files ans sub folders)
Go to user area on System drive, and for each folder

Right click on each Special User Folder in Turn
​

Select Location Tab
​

Select Move
​

Follow prompts and choose the option to move files
​

OK out of dialogue
​

This will ...

move the contents of the special folders to your new locations,
remove the original folders on the system drive,
Reset the default libraries to point to the new folders

​

That's it

 

[colt]

Try this ...

Create required empty folders on the data drive (you can also use an existing folder even if it contains files ans sub folders)
Go to user area on System drive, and for each folder

Right click on each Special User Folder in Turn
​

Select Location Tab
​

Select Move
​

Follow prompts and choose the option to move files
​

OK out of dialogue
​

This will ...

move the contents of the special folders to your new locations,
remove the original folders on the system drive,
Reset the default libraries to point to the new folders

​

That's it

Yeah, that's what I did initially, as described in the OP:

I recently installed a SSD as the boot drive and made the original HDD a data drive. I wanted to move the data intensive user folders over to the data drive.

I go to C:\users\myName, select My Documents and change location to D:\My Documents.

Before moving, My Documents contains 2535 files, and this is what D:\My Documents shows, so that's fine.

But now there is a new folder in C:\users\myName\ called 'Documents' (the original 'My Documents' folder is no longer listed in C:\users\myName). This new C:\users\myName\Documents folder contains 655 files.

One example of a subfolder in My Documents is the Dropbox folder. In D:\MyDocuments\Dropbox there are 1090 files.

In C:\users\myName\Documents there are 628 files.

Not clear on why the file counts differed. But I used 'Restore Default' to undo this. Going to try again following this guide step by step:

Did you follow exactly the steps to move User Folders - Change Default Location?

When libraries were brought up, I was just wondering what advantage, if any, they offer over the move procedure you described. As far as I can tell, even with using libraries, if one's goal is to get user data off the boot drive, one would still have to drag/drop contents of the c:\users\myName folders to the new folder that was added to the library.

 

[Barman58]

I've used this technique for every set-up I've performed for myself and clients since Vista and I cannot remember one problem in what must be thousands of installs.

The difference in file numbers I would assume are due to hidden system files that are not duplicated during the procedure, ( Default.ini, Thumbs.db, Etc.)

I use libraries where I need to consolidate multiple locations into one place, for example I have a regular pictures folder, that is completely standard, and used for screen-shots downloaded pictures Etc, I also have a drive dedicated to my personal images and these are both in the pictures library. I also have a library for resources that points to lots of diverse locations containing images, font's photoshop actions Etc. Another library is for Work in Progress and brings together the current files from the pictures. documents, video, Etc standard folders.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, you can as an alternative first try copying User folders to the data drive to add to Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

Then set that folder as Library - Set Save Folder - Windows 7 Help Forums

I'd keep the C user folder in the Library so you can see visually if anything lands in it to drag over to the data drive's User folder.

I can do this, but to accomplish the goal of getting my user data (see below quote) off the boot drive and onto the data drive, wouldn't there be extra steps?

If I understand this correctly, the steps described above would ensure that new files and new saves of existing files would placed in the designated folder(s) on the data drive, but would not change the location of existing files in c:\users\myName\

Yes, you would copy the User folders to the data drive first as stated. After they are there then you'd delete the contents of the C: user folders.

This alternative is explained at the very top of User Folders - Change Default Location - Windows 7 Help Forums:

Tip
If you are just wanting to save HDD space, then you might consider this below to be able to access the files from your libraries with the files actually located where you like instead. This way you will not have to worry about any potential issues that come with moving user folder locations. For example, whatever partition you move your user folders to will now be included in a system image in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

• Create a new folder at any location you want.
• Move any files you want into the new folder.
• Include the new folder into a library (Windows 7 or Windows 8) of your choice.
• If you like, you can also set the new folder to be the default save to location (Windows 7 or Windows 8) for the library as well.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I took an easier approach when I set up my notebooks with an SSD. I just shrunk the C: partition to the needed side and made a data partition with the new unallocated space. Then I simply dragged the Documents folder from my User folder to the new partition. I found the link in the Start Menu for the My Documents library followed the folder to the new location. Easy peasy. Win 7 did regenerate the Documents folder in the User folder but, since I save anything there, it doesn't take up any room and is harmless, so I just ignore it.

 

[gregrocker]

The alternative to copy the folders to data drive and then link via Libraries arose out of the inability of Windows Backup Imaging to save the image of C without also including the data partition when User (System) folders had been moved there. Data is best backed up using Backup User and System Files and not imaging.

So if you want to image C with User folders moved via their Location tab to data partition use an alternative imaging suite like Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums.

I should add that I simultaneously Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with OneDrive
by rooting User folders in the OneDrive folder on D data partition.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

The alternative to copy the folders to data drive and then link via Libraries arose out of the inability of Windows Backup Imaging to save the image of C without also including the data partition when User (System) folders had been moved there. Data is best backed up using Backup User and System Files and not imaging.

So if you want to image C with User folders moved via their Location tab to data partition use an alternative imaging suite like Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums.

I should add that I simultaneously Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with OneDrive
by rooting User folders in the OneDrive folder on D data partition.

After the horror tales (ok, that may be a bit strong) I had read about problems with Windows native imaging, I opted instead to use Macrium Reflect so those issues weren't a problem for me.

 

[colt]

Yes, you would copy the User folders to the data drive first as stated. After they are there then you'd delete the contents of the C: user folders.

This alternative is explained at the very top of User Folders - Change Default Location - Windows 7 Help Forums:

Tip
If you are just wanting to save HDD space, then you might consider this below to be able to access the files from your libraries with the files actually located where you like instead. This way you will not have to worry about any potential issues that come with moving user folder locations. For example, whatever partition you move your user folders to will now be included in a system image in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

• Create a new folder at any location you want.
• Move any files you want into the new folder.
• Include the new folder into a library (Windows 7 or Windows 8) of your choice.
• If you like, you can also set the new folder to be the default save to location (Windows 7 or Windows 8) for the library as well.

Ah, I see. Drag/drop contents in new folder first, and then add new folder to library and set it as the default save location.

The alternative to copy the folders to data drive and then link via Libraries arose out of the inability of Windows Backup Imaging to save the image of C without also including the data partition when User (System) folders had been moved there. Data is best backed up using Backup User and System Files and not imaging.

So if you want to image C with User folders moved via their Location tab to data partition use an alternative imaging suite like Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums.

Thanks, it's helpful to know why people used libraries for the purpose of moving user folders off the boot drive, rather than simply using the built-in move location function.

In terms of backup method, I use Ghost to cold image the boot partition and use file/folder backups for data partitions. Given that, does it make more sense for me to use the move location function instead of the libraries feature to get the user data off the boot drive and onto the data drive? Any advantages to using libraries feature for someone who is cold imaging their boot drive with an external program like Ghost, and thus doesn't have to worry about the Windows Backup limitation?

 

[gregrocker]

It's down to your personal preference. I have tried both and prefer moving User folders but I also move them into the OneDrive folder on data partition so that they sync to cloud storage and with all of my other devices which are set up the same way. This way I get backup, storage and sync at no cost and with no effort other than initial setup. Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with OneDrive

 

[colt]

Did you follow exactly the steps to move User Folders - Change Default Location?

OK, had a chance to follow this guide.

Result is the same as described in the OP. See, I'm not nuts!

Prior to the move:
c:\users\myName\My Documents has 2582 files and 7.5GB.



After the move, d:\My Documents has 2582 files and 7.5GB. Looks good, but . . .
c:\users\myName\Documents still has 663 files and 4.3GB!


1. Should I assume that since the total number of files at the source prior to the move matches the total number of files at the destination after the move, that all files did transfer over?

2. Why isn't Windows deleting all the files from the source?

I suppose I should restart the computer to see if the files at c:\users\myName\Documents go away, but I'm kind of nervous that doing so might nix the ability to 'restore default' in case it's necessary in light of this seemingly aberrant behavior.

Another oddity: When I take screenshots, they go into My Documents\Dropbox. After the move, the screenshots aren't landing anywhere. They aren't in d:\My Documents\Dropbox or c:\users\myName\Documents\Dropbox.