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

---

• How to Change the Default Location of a User Profile in Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Change the Default Location of Windows 7 User Folders
• How to Restore the Default Location of Windows 7 User Folders
• How to Free Up and Recover Hard Drive Space in Windows 7
• How to Change the User Folder Name of a User Profile in Windows 7

 

[Andyrids]

Hi Kari, On the latest reinstall I decided to follow your tutorial to move the default location of Users and ProgramData successfully and as I am seeing there is quite a few programs that have the default C: location for these hard coded but mostly just when creating desktop and startmenu shortcuts in the Public folder with the exception of Internet Download Manager that dumped a load of cache files quite deep into the ProgramData folder on C: it created... along with an additional set in D: (where they are supposed to be) Windows search and also Avast like to do similar things...

However there is one I can't quite figure out where its coming from exactly the path it creates upon every reboot is "C:\Users\Public\Recorded TV\TempRec" there is never anything in there, I am guess its is something to do with Media Center? but I never use it or have any sort of TV tuner hooked up either... I was wondering if you could shed some light upon this for me please?

After reading through pages and pages of posts on here, Am I correct in assuming that there is no bulletproof way to prevent this annoying behavior ? (or have I missed something)

Thanks.

 

[Kari]

After reading through pages and pages of posts on here, Am I correct in assuming that there is no bulletproof way to prevent this annoying behavior ? (or have I missed something)

We clearly have a very different definition for word "annoying". I have hidden the original Users and ProgramData folders on C: on all Windows Seven machines I have and never see, not even periodically check these folders. They sit there, almost useless but yet needed, doing no harm, taking a few bits or so space, never seen by me, never disturbing me.

Let the folders be there.

Kari

 

[Andyrids]

Thanks for your reply Kari.. Ok so just hide them. Just thinking though since this move was done on a clean install would placing symlinks in those two folders have my desired result to keep it cleared out or have you tried that already and its going to cause problems down the line?

 

[Kari]

Your computer, your risk. You do of course whatever you want to.

I have to try to think not only you but also possible future readers of this thread, not giving information which might later cause issues, so I will just say this: Although both Users and ProgramData are relocated to another drive using this method, some programs need to find them also in their original location. If these two additional folders which never get bigger than a few bits really disturb you, hide them and forget. If you can't forget them I think it's better you reinstall and this time forget the relocation so you don't get these two tiny additional folders.

Kari

 

[Andyrids]

That sounds like solid advice to me mate, I will just hide them then

Thank you for answering my questions pertaining to this.

 

[Kari]

Today we got sad news, one of our own, a senior member and outstanding geek Gary (Britton30) passed away yesterday evening.

Gary was seen here at the forums till the end, he was actively helping other members and visitors alike as late as 20 hours ago, about 9 PM his time. It tells something about his passion that he received the respected Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award last week, the 1st of July, for his work here. Today we got the news, he passed away late yesterday evening.

I owe a lot to Gary. He became a Sysprep guru, for instance in this tutorial thread he posted over 100 times, always politely assisting other geeks and telling about his findings and experiences. If you want to say Good Bye to Gary you can do it here. This post is simply my personal Thank You to a good virtual friend.

Thank you Gary for helping me in this and other Sysprep threads.

Your virtual friend from the other side of the world,

Kari

 

[Soul3chelon]

I'm truly sorry to hear someone has passed. From what I've read he was a great person, and extremely helpful to all who needed it. No doubt he will be sorely missed, and I hope he is at rest.

Though I don't want to seem like I don't care, I do have a bit of a problem.

I've been trying to use the information on the 22nd post where you're supposed to go into command prompt and type in: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot

A small window popped up, stating "Processing clean up phase Sysprep plugins..."

But then a few moments later I received this error:

"A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine."

I looked up solutions on how to fix this. Checked the registry and made sure GeneralizationState was set to 7. Then I tried msdtc -uninstall and then msdtc -install. Neither solutions worked.

I've never used sysprep before and I'm not even sure what I'm doing. I got a new hard drive, and wanted to transfer my user profile and program files to it since the hard drive with Windows on it is only 40 gigs. Thus why I'm here and trying this Sysprep option.

I'm currently running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit Edition on a Gateway laptop. The Windows install is relatively new - about 4 days old (My old hard drive died on me so I had to replace it with something else quickly, and all I had was that 40 gig at the time).

Any help would be appreciated. I really would rather not have to reinstall everything again.

Edit: I just tried the IE10 fix, even though I currently have IE11. I tried to change the values but it kept throwing me an "Error while trying to write the new value's contents". I'm definitely opening regedit as admin, so I'm not sure what's going on.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Soul3 mate I am no expert Kari will answer I suspect as soon as he sees this but if you are just copying the small drive to the larger one why not just clone it? with Macrium.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download and then work on it??

 

[Kari]

I've been trying to use the information on the 22nd post where you're supposed to go into command prompt and type in: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot

A small window popped up, stating "Processing clean up phase Sysprep plugins..."

But then a few moments later I received this error:

"A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine."

I looked up solutions on how to fix this. Checked the registry and made sure GeneralizationState was set to 7. Then I tried msdtc -uninstall and then msdtc -install. Neither solutions worked.

Hi Soul3chelon, welcome to the Seven Forums.

The culprit is most probably the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service (WMPNetworkSvc). When it's running, Sysprep always fails.

Stop the said service first by giving this command in administrative Command Prompt:

net stop WMPNetworkSvc

Now run the Sysprep, it should work this time.

Whatever you do, do not forget to backup your system first, at least your personal files and folders. also do not forget this warning:

   Warning

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.

Soul3 mate I am no expert Kari will answer I suspect as soon as he sees this but if you are just copying the small drive to the larger one why not just clone it? with Macrium.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download and then work on it??

In this case this is not a solution to OP's issue; OP is not trying to clone the smaller disk but instead free the space in it by moving the main profile folder Users with all its subfolders (user profiles) to the new bigger disk, keeping already installed Windows running on the original smaller disk.

Kari

 

[Yippee38]

Thank you for this document. I've used it many times, and continue to do so, and have linked it for friends many times. It's great!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

No probs Kari just thinking out of the box and maybe give a little extra time to sort the small drive out in case of accidents doing it.

 

[namitutonka]

Kari does have great advise, plus a long history of it as well. He'll aslo advise you on fine single malt Scotch if you ask him.

 

[Soul3chelon]

I've been trying to use the information on the 22nd post where you're supposed to go into command prompt and type in: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot

A small window popped up, stating "Processing clean up phase Sysprep plugins..."

But then a few moments later I received this error:

"A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine."

I looked up solutions on how to fix this. Checked the registry and made sure GeneralizationState was set to 7. Then I tried msdtc -uninstall and then msdtc -install. Neither solutions worked.

Hi Soul3chelon, welcome to the Seven Forums.

The culprit is most probably the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service (WMPNetworkSvc). When it's running, Sysprep always fails.

Stop the said service first by giving this command in administrative Command Prompt:

net stop WMPNetworkSvc

Now run the Sysprep, it should work this time.

Whatever you do, do not forget to backup your system first, at least your personal files and folders. also do not forget this warning:

   Warning

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.

Soul3 mate I am no expert Kari will answer I suspect as soon as he sees this but if you are just copying the small drive to the larger one why not just clone it? with Macrium.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download and then work on it??

In this case this is not a solution to OP's issue; OP is not trying to clone the smaller disk but instead free the space in it by moving the main profile folder Users with all its subfolders (user profiles) to the new bigger disk, keeping already installed Windows running on the original smaller disk.

Kari

Ah thank you for answering. I apologize for not posting sooner.

I ended up just reformatting and reinstalling again while using the tutorial. Everything came out perfectly. My 40 gig is housing Win 7 while my 500 gig is housing my user profiles and all my installations.

Hopefully someone else will use the information you gave me to help them. Either way, again thanks for answering, and thank you for that tutorial as well.

 

[cobrien84]

DELETING "Old" (Relocated) User and Program Data Folders

Kari:

I downloaded, "inhaled" (and used) your original (2010?) PDF entitled "Relocate User folders during Windows 7 installation" with GREAT results (on a Win7Pro machine) a few months ago, as it neatly solved a variety of challenges I'd been facing keeping my data separate from the OS and Apps. The problem (subsequently apparent) came with the desire to reinstall Win7Pro AGAIN, in that (even if I carefully relocate my data FROM the User Folders TO Temp Folders) I don't know the easiest way to DELETE the "old" User (and Program Data) Folders (from the "other drive") to prepare for a clean install. And while I read parts of your "recent maintenance thread", I'm easily frustrated due to my greater familiarity with Unix~! Suggestions (PLEASE!)

Thanks, Chuck

 

[Kari]

Kari:

I downloaded, "inhaled" (and used) your original (2010?) PDF entitled "Relocate User folders during Windows 7 installation" with GREAT results (on a Win7Pro machine) a few months ago, as it neatly solved a variety of challenges I'd been facing keeping my data separate from the OS and Apps. The problem (subsequently apparent) came with the desire to reinstall Win7Pro AGAIN, in that (even if I carefully relocate my data FROM the User Folders TO Temp Folders) I don't know the easiest way to DELETE the "old" User (and Program Data) Folders (from the "other drive") to prepare for a clean install. And while I read parts of your "recent maintenance thread", I'm easily frustrated due to my greater familiarity with Unix~! Suggestions (PLEASE!)

Thanks, Chuck

Hi Chuck, welcome to the Seven Forums.

First, this (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/319903-windows-7-image-customize-audit-mode-sysprep.html) is wrong thread for both your question and and my response. I'll ask mods to move both to where they belong, to the relocation tutorial thread.

OK, then to your issue. Reinstalling when ProgramData and / or Users folders are relocated to another drive follows exactly the same procedure as when reinstalling Windows 7 when those folders are in their original location. This is how it is recommended to be done:

• Backup your user data to an external drive (personal files and folders of all users under the main profile folder Users)
• Boot PC with Windows 7 install media
• Delete and recreate the partition or drive where you had the Users relocated using Drive Options while installing as told in this tutorial, step 8. It is important that the drive is completely wiped, deleting and recreating it takes care of that
• Continue installation until the first OOBE boot (Windows asking initial user and computer name)
• Enter Audit Mode as told in relocating tutorial
• Relocate ProgramData and / or Users folders with Sysprep
• Finalize installation
• Restore the user files from backup

When backing up user data, please notice that you should not backup the hidden AppData folders in each individual user profile folder as this would lead to problems when restored to new installation. This means that you should not backup the whole Users folder for instance by dragging & dropping it to a backup location, nor should you backup individual user profile folders as whole, as this would also copy the AppData. Instead you should only backup the user content from each user profile, folders like Documents, Pictures, Favorites and so on and all other user created stuff, not the system created AppData content.

ProgramData folder does not need to be backed up as it contains data created by programs and applications which will be recreated automatically when you reinstall your software after reinstallation of Windows.

That's it.

Kari

 

[BPhillips]

Hi Kari,

I had a bit of a problem using your tutorial, and was wondering if you could help figure out what I did wrong. I'm trying to do a fresh install of Windows 7 Professional x64 with an Intel processor. I made the necessary changes to the xml file you, first changing "amd64" to "intel64", then trying "x64", and of course running the command for sysprep.exe., and I keep getting an error stating:


"Windows could not parse or process unattend answer file [C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml] for pass
[oobeSystem]. The answer file is invalid."

Any ideas or suggestions on what might be causing this?

 

[Kari]

Hi Kari,

I had a bit of a problem using your tutorial, and was wondering if you could help figure out what I did wrong. I'm trying to do a fresh install of Windows 7 Professional x64 with an Intel processor. I made the necessary changes to the xml file you, first changing "amd64" to "intel64", then trying "x64", and of course running the command for sysprep.exe., and I keep getting an error stating:


"Windows could not parse or process unattend answer file [C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml] for pass
[oobeSystem]. The answer file is invalid."

Any ideas or suggestions on what might be causing this?

Hi BPhillips, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Your issue seems to be you can't read English .

The tutorial says quite clear that if you have a 64 bit Windows (tutorial does not separate 64 bit Windows on AMD and Intel processors) the line 4 in answer file (script) should be as in below:

<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="[B][COLOR="DarkRed"][SIZE="4"]amd64[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">

To be more accurate, in the explanations I state this:

• Row 4: If you are installing Windows x64 (64-bit), value prosessorArchitecture should be amd64
• Row 4: If you are installing Windows x86 (32-bit), value prosessorArchitecture should be x86

The tutorial does not have any separate instructions for AMD and Intel processors, nor does it tell to be creative and invent the values for variables by yourself.

Nowhere in the tutorial do I tell to use the value "Intel64" for variable "ProcessorArchitecture"; you have invented that value for this variable by yourself, it is not a valid value, nor have I told to use it or any other value than amd64. As the value "Intel64" you have invented is not recognized as a valid value for the variable "ProcessorArchitecture" it causes a so called syntax error and, naturally, the Sysprep fails.

To put it short: For sysprep all 64 bit Windows installations are amd64, regardless if you have an AMD or an Intel processor. An unattended answer file (an XML file to give instructions to Sysprep) has a strict syntax; you cannot "be creative" and invent your own commands and variable values.


Kari

 

[BPhillips]

Thanks, Kari, reading English was indeed my problem (sad considering it's my native tongue). Guess that old saying is right ... there are no stupid questions, only stupid people.

 

[iamc3k]

Kari,

Great tutorial. I used this when I built my current rig. It's got a 250Gb SSD and a couple 1Tb spinners. It worked great...for 6 months. Now, I'm getting some odd issues. I cannot keep a power profile, for one. I -suspect- the profile is linked to the user account's expected location.

Regardless, I'd like to, err, undo this. Is that possible without a total W7 reinstall?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Kari]

I do not believe the location of the user profile folder has anything to do with your issue. What makes you think that is the reason, would be interesting to know it?

To move folders back to C: or relocate them to a new drive is simple:

• Backup (move) the user data in user profile folders to an external location
  • The more content various profile folders contain, the more time is needed for Sysprep to move them and more can go wrong. I always recommend first moving all user data to external location. Notice that this applies only to user created data like pics, docs and so on; you should never move system folders like AddData manually
• Edit the answer file script shown in this tutorial by giving the new location in between the <FolderLocations> tags (in below example to C:):
  

  <FolderLocations>
  [B]<ProfilesDirectory>[COLOR="DarkRed"]c:\Users[/COLOR]</ProfilesDirectory>
  <ProgramData>[COLOR="DarkRed"]c:\ProgramData[/COLOR]</ProgramData>[/B]
  </FolderLocations>

• In all other aspects regarding the syntax of the answer file and especially the bit architecture and location of the original Windows install media when the Sysprep command is given, consult the tutorial as this "re-relocation" process is done exactly the same way
• Save the answer file as an XML file to root of any drive except C:, run Sysprep from elevated Command Prompt as shown below (in this example the answer file is called MyAnswerFile.xml and is located on drive X:):
  
  
  %windir%\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe /OOBE /REBOOT /UNATTEND:X:\MyAnswerFile.xml
• After reboot the folders are back on C: drive. Restore the user profile content from backup

Notice that Windows needs to be reactivated after this.

Kari