Moving profile folders (docs, pics, etc.) via command line?

[Donny Bahama]

For a variety of reasons, I like moving profile folders to a separate drive. Currently, I do this using the procedure found here but that's GUI-based and I'd like to be able to automate it. Does anyone know if there's a shell command that can accomplish this task? I don't want to just robocopy it or move it - the beauty of the linked procedure is that the OS knows that the folders have been moved (and their new locations) so all the favorites links and shortcuts in an Explorer window, the desktop, etc. are all automatically and transparently updated.

 

[whs]

Move files and directories to another location

 

[Donny Bahama]

Thanks for the response whs but you obviously didn't read my entire question...

I don't want to just robocopy it or move it - the beauty of the linked procedure is that the OS knows that the folders have been moved (and their new locations) so all the favorites links and shortcuts in an Explorer window, the desktop, etc. are all automatically and transparently updated.

I'm not a shell newb and am well aware of the move command, but it does not do the same thing as the procedure I linked.

 

[whs]

I see, fair enough.

 

[mjf]

Not sure if this is what you are wanting?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html
It may be what you are doing already.

 

[Alejandro85]

An option could be replace the original folder with a junction that takes its place. That could be done entirely under command line, but must be done under a separate, administrator account. Good thing is that after the procedure is done, nothing else needs to be changed, since, every program will still use the old path, and the junction will do the redirection to the new path.

It would be something along the lines of:
Logoff the affected account.
Using a second, administrator account, move the whole profile folder to the new location.
Create a junction in the users folder, with the exact same name as the original profile had
Login in the affected account. Everything should work as before.