User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

How to Create User Accounts on another Partition or Disk During Windows 7 Installation ​

   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.
When Windows 7 is installed, 5 or 6 system folders are created depending on chosen bit-version:

  • PerfLogs (Performance Logs), where Windows stores performance and reliability logs
  • Program Files, where applications and software are installed. Windows x86 (32-bit) stores all applications here, Windows x64 (64-bit) only native 64-bit applications
  • Program Files (x86), only in Windows x64. All non-x64 applications are stored here
  • Windows, which contains core operating system files and drivers
  • ProgramData, where some applications store application and user specific settings and configuration files
  • Users. This is the "home" of all user folders. When a new user account is created and this new user logs in first time, Windows creates a set of user specific folders Users\New_User
Moving Windows and Program Files folders is not recommend by Microsoft. However, moving both Users and ProgramData folders is safe and can save a lot of space on system disk. Pictures, mp3’s videos, documents and so on, a user folder with its subfolders can be tens, sometimes hundreds of gigabytes.

For instance, using this laptop of mine as an example, the total size of Users folder and subfolders is at the moment about 240 GB. The size of ProgramData folder is at the moment almost 18 GB. I simply could not have these folders stored in my system C: drive, there’s not enough space.

When installing Windows 7, I recommend using Windows System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) in so called Audit Mode to relocate Users and ProgramData, leaving C: drive only for Windows and applications.

   Warning

An upgraded Windows cannot be sysprepped. As this method is based in sysprepping, this tutorial is valid only for Windows setups which have not been upgraded.

This means that if you have for instance in-place upgraded Vista to Seven, you cannot sysprep. The same applies if you have upgraded from a lesser edition to a better edition, for instance from Windows 7 Home Premium to Professional.

Notice that a repair install is also an upgrade install, so if you have ever done a repair install (= in-place upgrade to same edition), you cannot sysprep.

In other words, when sysprepping an existing Windows setup it only works if the Windows was installed clean and has never been upgraded or repaired using repair install, or if it is the original pre-installed Windows.

Using this method causes Windows 7 to lose activation information, and it needs to be reactivated afterwards. If your Windows 7 is an OEM version, you might not be able to reactivate it, at least not without phone activation option.

   Warning
IE10 Users: Please read this article first: Sysprep Fatal Error With IE 10 (FIX) | System Administration


Complete tutorial as PDF: View attachment Relocate User folders during Windows 7 installation.pdf (1.22 MB)

Kari






Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
Those error messages are telling that the temp folder (the drive where it is located) is full. On which drive you have your Users relocated, how full is that drive?

I have never had these issues, and as you can see if you read through the whole thread, all over 1,000 posts, you are about the first one telling that .NET Framework cannot be installed-
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
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As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
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Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
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Logitech Performance Mouse MX
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50/10 Mbps VDSL
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Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
It is a totally clean install of Windows 7 onto my SSD and a totally empty 2TB HDD to which I moved my User and Program Data to so I doubt that the drive is full but rather it cannot be found/accessed.

Like you said, I found it weird too that I am the first to encounter this situation but through countless clean reinstalling of Windows 7, I figured that if I were to leave the User and Program Data untouched in the SSD, there is no trouble at all in running Windows update and installing .NET frameworks.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Motherboard
Asus H87
You misunderstood my point. Relocated Users folder is most definitely not the reason why installation of .NET Framework 4.6.1 and Avira failed in your case, you need to search the reason elsewhere.

Although quite tired to constantly needing to show that this method works, that the various errors users get are mostly caused by either the user him/herself, or PC having some other issues, I decided to prove my point once more.

I installed Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 today on a test machine (I'm fully moved on to Windows 10), sysprepped it relocating the Users folder to drive D:, and finally installed both .NET Framework 4.6.1 and Avira, the same software you are claiming that can't be installed when Users folder is relocated. Both installations worked perfectly without any whatsoever issues.

Captured the process, too:

 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
Hello people of the forum and Karl, since its yours thread and tutorial ive read 20 times.
First post here and and im looking for help.
Well i built my own system just over a year ago and the ssd was getting full being only 120GB so i read about moving the user folder and program data and here i am. Having done the fresh install and copy and pasted the xml file i get an error when rebooting into oobe mode (Windows could not parse or process unattend answer file[C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml] for pass [oobesystem]. The settings specified in the answer file cannot be applied. The error was detected while processing settings for component [Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup]. )

so i double and triple checked im doing everything correct to which i think i am.. windows is loaded to C drive, i want to move to D drive and windows boot disc is in E drive and file on G drive (USB).
but clearly im going wrong somewhere... here is what my xml file looks like
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
<settings pass="oobeSystem">
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<FolderLocations>
<ProfilesDirectory>d:\Users</ProfilesDirectory>
<ProgramData>d:\ProgramData</ProgramData>
</FolderLocations>
</component>
</settings>
<cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:E:/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 HomePremium" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>
Click to expand...

I think ive posted that bit correctly and hopefully you can see where im going wrong.
Here is a copy of the error from the panther file, not sure if this is correct either.
[QUOTExml xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882"
-^][/QUOTE]
or this if i open it in notebook.
<xml xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882"
xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882"
xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset"
xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema">
<s:Schema id="RowsetSchema">
<s:ElementType name="row" content="eltOnly" rs:updatable="true">
<s:AttributeType name="Cls" rs:number="0">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Sev" rs:number="1">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Maj" rs:number="2">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Min" rs:number="3">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="LN" rs:number="4">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Fil" rs:number="5">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Fun" rs:number="6">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Uid" rs:number="7">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Msg" rs:number="8">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="PID" rs:number="9">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="TID" rs:number="10">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Con" rs:number="11">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Exe" rs:number="12">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Mod" rs:number="13">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Err" rs:number="14">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="MD" rs:number="15">
<s:datatype dt:type="hexBinary"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="DT" rs:number="16">
<s:datatype dt:type="dateTime"/>
</s:AttributeType>
</s:ElementType>
</s:Schema>
<rs:data>
</rs:data>
</xml>
<xml xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882"
xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882"
xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset"
xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema">
<s:Schema id="RowsetSchema">
<s:ElementType name="row" content="eltOnly" rs:updatable="true">
<s:AttributeType name="Cls" rs:number="0">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Sev" rs:number="1">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Maj" rs:number="2">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Min" rs:number="3">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="LN" rs:number="4">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Fil" rs:number="5">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Fun" rs:number="6">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Uid" rs:number="7">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Msg" rs:number="8">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="PID" rs:number="9">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="TID" rs:number="10">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Con" rs:number="11">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Exe" rs:number="12">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Mod" rs:number="13">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Err" rs:number="14">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="MD" rs:number="15">
<s:datatype dt:type="hexBinary"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="DT" rs:number="16">
<s:datatype dt:type="dateTime"/>
</s:AttributeType>
</s:ElementType>
</s:Schema>
<rs:data>
</rs:data>
</xml>
<xml xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882"
xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882"
xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset"
xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema">
<s:Schema id="RowsetSchema">
<s:ElementType name="row" content="eltOnly" rs:updatable="true">
<s:AttributeType name="Cls" rs:number="0">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Sev" rs:number="1">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Maj" rs:number="2">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Min" rs:number="3">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="LN" rs:number="4">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Fil" rs:number="5">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Fun" rs:number="6">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Uid" rs:number="7">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Msg" rs:number="8">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="PID" rs:number="9">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="TID" rs:number="10">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Con" rs:number="11">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Exe" rs:number="12">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Mod" rs:number="13">
<s:datatype dt:type="string"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="Err" rs:number="14">
<s:datatype dt:type="int"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="MD" rs:number="15">
<s:datatype dt:type="hexBinary"/>
</s:AttributeType>
<s:AttributeType name="DT" rs:number="16">
<s:datatype dt:type="dateTime"/>
</s:AttributeType>
</s:ElementType>
</s:Schema>
<rs:data>
</rs:data>
</xml>
Click to expand...

Fingers crossed thats correct, i sooo hope you can help me out here its got my head battered.
Regards
Michael
oh and if you need any more info just ask.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
intel core i5-4590
Motherboard
Asus Z97-PRO
Memory
Hyper X 2x4GB DDR3 1866
Graphics Card(s)
intel
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD 840 EVO
WD 1TB
Antivirus
Malware
micks88 said:
Fingers crossed thats correct, i sooo hope you can help me out here its got my head battered.
Regards
Michael
Click to expand...

Hi Michael, welcome to the Seven Forums.

I suspect it is faulty drive letters; the drive D: as target is often more problematic than other drives, read this warning from this same tutorial on our sister site the Ten Forums, it applies to Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, too:

   Warning
If you intend to use drive D: as the location for the relocated Users folder, please read this before proceeding!

Windows "likes" to set the the drive ID letters like this:
  • Drive C: > The system drive where Windows will be installed
  • Drive D: > First optical drive (CD / DVD drive)
  • Drive E: > Second partition on the same disk where the C: is located, or in case that disk only has one partition, the first partition on the secondary disk
Now when you sysprep telling it to move the Users to D: drive, after the reboot Windows might find that the D: is an optical drive and your intended drive D: is now E:, sysprep fails and you have to reinstall.

To be sure you are able to use drive D: for the relocated Users folder you need to set the drive letters manually before the sysprep is run. In Audit Mode you can do this for instance with Disk Management by manually changing the drive letters:
  • Change the optical drive letter to something at the end of the alphabet, I use X:
  • Change the drive letter of the partition or disk you intend to use for the Users folder to D:
  • If the partition or disk you want to use already has a letter D:, change it to something else, close the Disk Management, open it again and change the letter back to D:
See the tutorial at our sister site the Seven Forums: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/82994-drive-letter-add-change-remove-windows.html

I recommend to always set drive letters manually to override the defaults but this is especially important for those wanting to use drive D: for relocated Users folder.
Click to expand...
(Quote from Users Folder - Move Location in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums)

If you can access the system, the error log tells more. If possible find the log file setupact.log in C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther and post it here.

If nothing else helps, my recommendation is to restore a system image and start from beginning.

Kari
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
Hi Kari, (apologises for above - wrong spelling of your name) thanks for the reply and the speed.
i think this is what you are after. i shall change the drive letters around like you say and await anything else you have to say about the below.
thanks
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
intel core i5-4590
Motherboard
Asus Z97-PRO
Memory
Hyper X 2x4GB DDR3 1866
Graphics Card(s)
intel
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD 840 EVO
WD 1TB
Antivirus
Malware
Thanks
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
intel core i5-4590
Motherboard
Asus Z97-PRO
Memory
Hyper X 2x4GB DDR3 1866
Graphics Card(s)
intel
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD 840 EVO
WD 1TB
Antivirus
Malware
Sorry for super long posts, I thought as much when posting there would be another way.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
intel core i5-4590
Motherboard
Asus Z97-PRO
Memory
Hyper X 2x4GB DDR3 1866
Graphics Card(s)
intel
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD 840 EVO
WD 1TB
Antivirus
Malware
micks88 said:
and final part i hope..
im sure there would of been another way to do that.. short way or something.
Click to expand...

In the future, please zip the log files and upload them as attachment. Using QUOTE tags with long log files makes the posts annoying to read!

You could also use CODE tags but in this case it would have not helped you because the log file has over 30K characters whereas the max length of a post is 20K characters.

To keep this thread readable please edit all your previous three posts and remove the quoted parts of the log file, I've seen them and there was nothing to find.

That being said, the only error messages I can see are a few SYSPRP WinMain:The sysprep dialog box returned FALSE which only confirms my suspicions; in my opinion what happens is that you are telling to sysprep in answer file to move the Users folder to drive D:, but the OOBE boot (so called Welcome Mode) gives ID C: to Windows system drive, then D: to optical drive, and finally E: to the drive you think is D:.

As sysprep cannot relocate a system folder to an optical drive, it fails.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
Thanks so much Kari, I will try doing it later when home from work if you think my relocate file is fine
So I'll follow the change drives like you say, change d drive to something else click OK and then go back and put back to d..?
Also I've change cd drive to M, so I will change that in the relocate file.
And finally I am fine using G drive for USB to hold reclocate.xml file?

Fingers crossed it works.

Kari thanks for you help and excellent tutorial, does this forum not do beer tokens etc to say thanks to people.?

Regards
Michael
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
intel core i5-4590
Motherboard
Asus Z97-PRO
Memory
Hyper X 2x4GB DDR3 1866
Graphics Card(s)
intel
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD 840 EVO
WD 1TB
Antivirus
Malware
Just to let you know Kari, Ive got the system up and running now. Sysprep worked straight away once I changed the drives like you said.
Thanks for all your help and excellent tutorial.
I will be reading more on here and see what else I can learn.
Regards
Michael
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
intel core i5-4590
Motherboard
Asus Z97-PRO
Memory
Hyper X 2x4GB DDR3 1866
Graphics Card(s)
intel
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD 840 EVO
WD 1TB
Antivirus
Malware
micks88 said:
Just to let you know Kari, Ive got the system up and running now. Sysprep worked straight away once I changed the drives like you said.
Thanks for all your help and excellent tutorial.
I will be reading more on here and see what else I can learn.
Regards
Michael
Click to expand...

Thanks for telling that, always good to know the good news, too :)
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
Success! Before replaced the system folders (from "U"), I signed out my account, and logged with built-in administrator account. I started copy the User + ProgramData files to "C" in Audit mode. I created the "Test" account, and the first login, I was able to use my original profile. I writed same computer name.
(I can't speak english well, perharps to read)
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel i5-3770
Motherboard
Asus Z77-A
Memory
Kingston KVR16N11/4 x4
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire R9 380 Dual-X 2 GB
Monitor(s) Displays
Benq GW2760
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Evo 120 GB x2, Samsung 850 Pro 250 GB, WD20PURX 2 TB x3, WD30PURX 3 TB, Seagate ST2000DM001 2TB, Hitachi 1 TB, Toshiba 1 TB, etc
PSU
Corsair HX 650 v2
Case
CM 690 II advanced
Cooling
Noctua NH-D14
Keyboard
Logitech MK270
Mouse
Gigabyte M6900 v2
Internet Speed
30/30 Mbps
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security
Browser
IExplorer 11
Hello everyone , this is my first post on 7 forum . I apologize for my bad English .
Kari , I followed your excellent tutorial and everything works , thanks for your work ! Now I want to create a backup to restore everything if disaster happens . I read the whole topic , but it's very long and my Aapproximate English does not help me . Can you please illustrate e the procedure to back up and how to use it in case of need? I would be really grateful ! Greetings from Italy
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
padela said:
Hello everyone , this is my first post on 7 forum . I apologize for my bad English .
Kari , I followed your excellent tutorial and everything works , thanks for your work ! Now I want to create a backup to restore everything if disaster happens . I read the whole topic , but it's very long and my Aapproximate English does not help me . Can you please illustrate e the procedure to back up and how to use it in case of need? I would be really grateful ! Greetings from Italy
Click to expand...

Ciao Padela. Devo dire ti amo il vostro paese. Ho vissuto più di 10 anni a Roma, a due fermate con il tram numero 2 da Piazza del Popolo, e le estati a Fosdinovo nei pressi di Carrara, Toscana :)

The best practice is to do a system image containing all partitions on both the Windows system disk, and the disk where you have relocated the Users folder. You can use any third party imaging tool, or create the system image with built-in Windows Backup tool.

Tutorials:
  1. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
  2. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html
Kari
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
Thank you Kari. I was moving Users folder on a much harder way.
- I recently installed Win 7 on a new computer relocating Users folder to D: using your tutorial.
When I tried to install Autocad it gave me an error. It couldn't find C:\Users\Public\Documents (that is now on D:). So I launched Regedit and searched for C:\Users and fond two places that where using C:\Users\ (I don't remember where). I edited and changed to D:\Users and then I could install Autocad. So I recommend every one to do the same search and replace.
- As many people are adding a SSD as main disk (for speed) cloning their HDD, I ask you: Can C:\Users be relocated on a working Win 7 the same way you describe on User Profiles - Relocate to another Partition or Disk, using the same XML-script used for relocating Win 7 during installation?
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Megahertz07 said:
I ask you: Can C:\Users be relocated on a working Win 7 the same way you describe on User Profiles - Relocate to another Partition or Disk, using the same XML-script used for relocating Win 7 during installation?
Click to expand...

Yes. The process is explained quite detailed in a tutorial on our sister site the Ten Forums: Users Folder - Move Location in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Browse to part Method Two: Relocating Users folder on an existing Windows installation in that tutorial. Although the tutorial, video and screenshots are for Windows 10 the process itself is exactly the same in all Windows versions starting from Vista.

Kari
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
Just a quick note. This does not work any longer.
I have tried and tried, verified that everything is correct..

Some type of error at "Line 4 column 5"
FYI
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Win7 Professional 64
CPU
i7 Sandy Bridge
Motherboard
Asus p8z77 Deluxe
Memory
Corsair Vengeance
Graphics Card(s)
HD6970
Hard Drives
Western Digital Black
Antivirus
McAfee
Browser
Chrome
7of9 said:
Just a quick note. This does not work any longer.
I have tried and tried, verified that everything is correct..

Some type of error at "Line 4 column 5"
FYI
Click to expand...

Just a quick note: this works perfectly, as it has always worked. The error is a typo or other user caused issue you have made or caused.

FYI
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
Hi Kari,

Thanks for that info. I don't know what I'm doing wrong then.
I have verified, re-verified and re-verified the typed text. And it just won't work. I get the same error over and over again.
I would just copy and paste from the link you provided, but I get a message saying "that information is oudated and has been archived".

Just like your win10 video tutorial doesn't work for my win10 pc. Which I will post in the 10 forums.

But keep up the great work!
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Win7 Professional 64
CPU
i7 Sandy Bridge
Motherboard
Asus p8z77 Deluxe
Memory
Corsair Vengeance
Graphics Card(s)
HD6970
Hard Drives
Western Digital Black
Antivirus
McAfee
Browser
Chrome
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