How can I change default location of Windows Live Mail Contacts file?

[1oldguy]

I run a desktop system with multiple physical hard drives. I maintain a strict practice of locating ALL data files on a drive other than drive C. This includes my Internet Explorer Favorites, my e-mail and my e-mail address book. Using Outlook Express under Windows XP, I have been able to do this with no difficulty, though sometimes editing the Registry was necessary.

Now, switching over to Windows 7, I can no longer use Outlook Express. So I am trying to set up Windows Live Mail so that BOTH the e-mail files and the Contacts file (address book) are located on a different drive. There is a built-in provision in Windows Live Mail to change the default location of the e-mail files themselves but there does not appear to be any provision for changing the location of the Contacts file, even by editing the Registry (so far as I can see).

Does anyone know if it is POSSIBLE to do this, and if so, HOW?

Regards to all,
1oldguy

 

[Slartybart]

There's no easy way to change the location of WEMail contacts. Any registry hacks for any Windows application only makes your system less stable. I don't know of any registry tricks for this.

A better way is to move your entire user profile to a sperate partition on the root drive.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/87555-user-profile-change-default-location.html - Method One

This is preferred over changing individual standard folders location in the folder properties (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos) and changing default locations inside an application (Msg Store location).

I set up my system that way, it's much cleaner and a reinstall doesn't affect that User profile partition (unless you do a factory reset or tell the install to use the entire drive).

You should use the root drive so that it is always available when you boot the system.

 

[1oldguy]

Why I prefer not to relocat the entire user profile

It's possible that relocating the entire user profile to another hard drive might be a solution. However leaving it on the root drive would not, as the entire object is to get the contacts file off the root drive. However I really don't like the idea of relocating the entire user profile since most of what is in the user profile relates to operational aspects of installed software programs which are, of course, on the root drive.

The purpose of moving certain files that contain data off the root drive is to protect that data in the event of a root drive crash (virus caused or hardware failure). I have been using this technique for a long time, since at least the era of Windows-95, and it has saved me from disaster on more than one occasion. In my system, all user-created or downloaded data files are stored on a separate physical hard drive and all those data files are periodically backed up onto a third separate physical hard drive.

Anything that wipes out my root drive (which has happened) will only affect the root drive, not other drives where my data are stored. I have, on more than one occasion, had to completely re-install my operating system and all the software. I even once had to replace a defective root drive. But, storing my data files as I do, I have never lost a file in nearly 20 years.

If it turns out that the contacts (address book) for Windows Live Mail cannot be relocatd as I wish, perhaps I will have to use another third party e-mail program.

Thank you for your reply.
1oldguy

 

[Slartybart]

If the 2nd drive is internal, moveing the User profile to that drive does not present any issues.

I was cautious since you could mean external drives -> that could be problematic.

Give moving the User profile to a internal hard drive some more thought - it's far better than moving the location of 5,10,30 folders.

You should continue what sound to be good backup practices and add WEMail contact export to the task.

If I think of something re: contacts location - I'll post it.

 

[Roderunner]

Hi 1oldguy,
I use WLM 2012 with my Gmail account only. BUT I use it signed-in using my Hotmail.com account where all my Contacts are. This allows me to auto add addresses to mail messages, and use Safe & Blocked Sender filtering. I export my contacts in .csv format from my Hotmail acc. for safe keeping.

 

[1oldguy]

I just got a suggestion from someone on another forum (at Microsoft). He suggested using a symbolic link to link to the file on another drive. I had never tried symbolic links before but intend to explore it in a day or so when I get the time. It is possible that this could be the solution.

 

[Roderunner]

I have never heard of symbolis links, more info would be nice. Good Luck.

 

[1oldguy]

Neither had I before this. It seems that a symbolic link is a way to "trick" a program into thinking a folder (directory) that is actually in some other location is in the original location that program uses. If you want more information, go to Google and enter "symbolic links". You will find a host of articles about it. Microsoft also has info. on it on their website.

 

[Roderunner]

OK Thanks.