How to move the location of the 'My Documents' folder

Andrew Hart

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How do I relocate the folder 'My Documents' in Win7 Ultimate. When I installed Win7 in March 2010 I moved it from the C: drive (where Win7 was installed and where C: was one of 4 partitions on my No 1 physical hard disk drive, the other partitions being D:, E:, and F:) to my main data drive (H:) (H: is simply one of 3 partitions on my No2 physical hard disk drive, namely G:, H:, and I:) but I have forgotten how I did that. Now my H: drive is constantly having bad sector problems and I want to move the My Documents folder to my I: drive. I have tested the I: drive with Steve Gibson's SpinRite program and it reports that the I: partition has no problems.
 

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Custom build
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Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core i5
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Asus P7P55D-E PRO
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Gigabyte 840 MB Ram
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5 x 1 terabyte Samsung
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Open Explorer. Under Libraries you should see Documents and under, My Documents.
Right click My Documents - Properties - Location tab. Select move and browse to the new location.
 

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    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
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    custom build
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Now my H: drive is constantly having bad sector problems and I want to move the My Documents folder to my I: drive.

I "never" save anything in the Documents folder for the only reason that if Windows gets corrupted, you say goodbye to your work, well there is still a change you can retrieve the files but that is another topic.
What I do I create a specific folder and sub directories on a separate partition or drive and if you feel comfortable, you can create a shortcut to that folder on your desktop.
 

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Windows 7 Ultimate x64Intel i5-6600K 3.50GHzCorsair DDR4 2x8GBMSI GeForce GTX1070 Gaming X
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel i5-6600K 3.50GHz
Motherboard
Asus Pro Z170 Gaming
Memory
Corsair DDR4 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX1070 Gaming X
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On board Realtek
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Dell SP2309W
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OS Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SATA III SSD
2x Hitachi Deskstar 1GB SATA data drives
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA data drive
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Corsair HX650W
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CoolerMaster CM 690 III
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Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO 1x200mm 1x140mm 2x120mm case fan
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Logitech usb keyboard
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Logitech G500 $27 bargain :)
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ADSL2
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Microsoft Security Essential, MalwareBytes
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SRWare Iron, Internet Explorer
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Very happy with this buid.
I struggled a lot to find all compatible parts since I wanted an Intel 1151 based motherboard so to be able to install Windows 7.
I chose this case because it has amazing air flow, it's sturdy and looks good.
The case included 1x 200mm front and 1x 120mm back fans, I added 1x 200mm on the top and 1x120 bottom fans and modded the panels with black stockings for women s

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64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
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64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
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Thermaltake Core P3
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HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Open Explorer. Under Libraries you should see Documents and under, My Documents.
Right click My Documents - Properties - Location tab. Select move and browse to the new location.

Many thanks, Megahertz07. That seems to have done the trick and it move all of the sub-folders like My Music, My Pictures and My Videos as well.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64Intel Core i58 GBGigabyte 840 MB Ram
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core i5
Motherboard
Asus P7P55D-E PRO
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte 840 MB Ram
Hard Drives
5 x 1 terabyte Samsung
Antivirus
ESET Smart Security
Browser
Firefox
Hello Andrew, :)

In addition, the tutorial below can help refresh your memory on how to move your "My Documents" folder.

:ar: User Folders - Change Default Location - Windows 7 Help Forums

Many thanks to you as well, Brink. I will reread this tutorial. It looks familiar and I have a vague recollection that you may have referred me to it way back years ago when I originally sought help here in this forum before moving several folders (not just 'My Documents') in my user profile from my C: drive to my H: drive.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64Intel Core i58 GBGigabyte 840 MB Ram
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core i5
Motherboard
Asus P7P55D-E PRO
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte 840 MB Ram
Hard Drives
5 x 1 terabyte Samsung
Antivirus
ESET Smart Security
Browser
Firefox
I'm with Looked. I deleted My Documents and made a new folder called Ddoc on my data partition. I don't want any of my data on the C partition.
 

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Win 7 Ult 64-bitG620 2.6GHZ Pentium R6 GB
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Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP p6-2020t
OS
Win 7 Ult 64-bit
CPU
G620 2.6GHZ Pentium R
Memory
6 GB
Monitor(s) Displays
25" HPLV2311
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
1 SATA, 1 exterior SATA
Case
HP
Cooling
PSU
Antivirus
Glasswire
Browser
Waterfox; Firefox; Chrome for work
Other Info
Firewall--Glasswire
Similar specs in Gateway DX4200
Verizon FIOS Wired network

1 other Win7 computer-- has SSD
I don't want any of my data on the C partition.

And for every software I install, I always go into the settings and set its working/save directory in the data partition or a separate drive in my case.
You'll notice that often programs automatically set a directory in the Documents folder which is a good thing for shared computers due to privacy concerns but if you're the sole administrator, then don't do it.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64Intel i5-6600K 3.50GHzCorsair DDR4 2x8GBMSI GeForce GTX1070 Gaming X
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel i5-6600K 3.50GHz
Motherboard
Asus Pro Z170 Gaming
Memory
Corsair DDR4 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX1070 Gaming X
Sound Card
On board Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell SP2309W
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
OS Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SATA III SSD
2x Hitachi Deskstar 1GB SATA data drives
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA data drive
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
CoolerMaster CM 690 III
Cooling
Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO 1x200mm 1x140mm 2x120mm case fan
Keyboard
Logitech usb keyboard
Mouse
Logitech G500 $27 bargain :)
Internet Speed
ADSL2
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essential, MalwareBytes
Browser
SRWare Iron, Internet Explorer
Other Info
Very happy with this buid.
I struggled a lot to find all compatible parts since I wanted an Intel 1151 based motherboard so to be able to install Windows 7.
I chose this case because it has amazing air flow, it's sturdy and looks good.
The case included 1x 200mm front and 1x 120mm back fans, I added 1x 200mm on the top and 1x120 bottom fans and modded the panels with black stockings for women s
And for every software I install, I always go into the settings and set its working/save directory in the data partition or a separate drive in my case.
You'll notice that often programs automatically set a directory in the Documents folder which is a good thing for shared computers due to privacy concerns but if you're the sole administrator, then don't do it.

True, but I no longer have the My Doc folder. I removed that, Library, My Videos and My Music, I think with Classic Shell.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 7 Ult 64-bitG620 2.6GHZ Pentium R6 GB
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP p6-2020t
OS
Win 7 Ult 64-bit
CPU
G620 2.6GHZ Pentium R
Memory
6 GB
Monitor(s) Displays
25" HPLV2311
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
1 SATA, 1 exterior SATA
Case
HP
Cooling
PSU
Antivirus
Glasswire
Browser
Waterfox; Firefox; Chrome for work
Other Info
Firewall--Glasswire
Similar specs in Gateway DX4200
Verizon FIOS Wired network

1 other Win7 computer-- has SSD
I "never" save anything in the Documents folder for the only reason that if Windows gets corrupted, you say goodbye to your work, well there is still a change you can retrieve the files but that is another topic.
What I do I create a specific folder and sub directories on a separate partition or drive and if you feel comfortable, you can create a shortcut to that folder on your desktop.

That's one reason for moving the Documents folder to another drive or partition. Another is to allow using different programs for backing up the C: partition and your data.

Speaking of backups, if you backup your data, you won't have to worry about losing it if something gets corrupted.
 

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Win 7 Ultimate 64 bitIntel i7-3930KKingston HyperX Genesis 32GB Kit (8x4GB Modul...MSI R7850 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC Radeon HD 7850 2...
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7-3930K
Motherboard
ASUS P9X79 WS
Memory
Kingston HyperX Genesis 32GB Kit (8x4GB Modules) 1600MHz DDR
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MSI R7850 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR
Sound Card
Asus Xonar Essence STX
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Hard Drives
Samsung 128GB 840 Pro SSD (1),
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Samsung 4TB 850 EVO SSDs (16) external backup drives used in 2.5" hot swap bays in the computer.
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Corsair HX750w
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Antec Two Hundred v2 (modified)
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Cooler Master GeminII S524 120mm (fan replaced with a 140mm)
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Logitech G510s
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Logitech M525 (two in use)
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=< 32Mbps down, 8Mbps up
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AVAST!, MBAM, SAS, Spybot S&D (all but MBAM free) Glary Util
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IE11
Other Info
LSI 9211-8i HBA card (8 SATA III ports), 2.5" & 3.5" Hot Swap Bays, HooToo HT-CR001 PCI-E to USB 3.0 Internal Hub + 6 Slot Card Reader, and LG Model CH12LS28 BD-ROM Optical Drive. Also, ScanSnap S1500 ADF duplexing scanner, Canon 9000F flat bed scanner, Corsair SP2500 2.1 speakers, Samsung CLP 415nw laser color printer, Cyberpower PP2200SW UPS
I have a small (128G) SSD (for windows and programs and Lubuntu) and a HDD for data.
I have the speed of an SSD and the size of a HDD at a low price.
I have moved all C:/users to D:/Users so everything related to the user (configuration, data, temporary folder etc) is on the HDD.
I have used the Kari tutorial to do it.
User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation - Windows 7 Help Forums

https://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/general-discussion/399687d1499298283-my-computer-freezes-randomly-while-hdd-light-turns-solid-red-relocate.zip
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    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
  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    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
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