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

Kari said:

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

Kari said:

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

Kaktussoft said:

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 (User Profile - Change Default Location), 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.

gregrocker said:

I would never move the entire User profile but instead only the active User folders using User Folders - Change Default Location or Library - Include a Folder. 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: User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation.

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:

Kari said:

Kaktussoft said:

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 (User Profile - Change Default Location), 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

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!

Kaktussoft said:

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