moving user folders onto a different drive than the boot drive.

prescott28 · 23 Apr 2012 at 09:39

OK, the title says most of it. My profile in Windows is getting far to large, due to email, so I would like to be able to move it to another drive whilst keeping the same link Windows uses. now, oddly, Windows 8 have the tool for doing this and it take only moments to do it but I am back on Windows 7 now and don't plan to upgrade.

Is there a way to do this in Windows 7?

IndexRated · 23 Apr 2012 at 12:57

There is a way by editing the registry, I think the lifehacker article might be the best:

http://lifehacker.com/5467758/move-the-users-directory-in-windows-7

I was honestly too lazy and went for the profile relocator program:

http://software.bootblock.co.uk/?id=profilerelocator

That deals with user folders.

Raumarik · 23 Apr 2012 at 13:06

Oooh nice find!

Dano · 23 Apr 2012 at 13:21

If it's due to email just move the store location for email.

vertica · 23 Apr 2012 at 13:27

If you're talking about the default user folders (my Documents/picture/music/vids etc) then right click -> properties -> location -> move

jas72 · 23 Apr 2012 at 13:41

then there are the local settings apps data as well. Also you then have other apps (itunes) who decide that user/name is the best place to put all their backups.... everytime you install something you have to watch for it. Some apps offer customised installs but most will put some guff in your default drive like it or not.

prescott28 · 23 Apr 2012 at 15:08

Thanks for the replies, guys. My main problem is the email folder and more generally content in the hidden appdata folder. I managed to move the my documents folder without any problem and its 3 GB of data TomTom delighted in loading into it!

I'm using Thunderbird and I don't see any option in that to move the main store folder - something which would really help.

My problem is related to my 64GB SSD boot drive and my need to clear junk off it so that programmes have enough room.

prescott28 · 23 Apr 2012 at 18:24

Operation success! Using the profile Relocator I was able to move the profiles to another drive with hardly a hitch. The only catch is that it works best with a new install before the user profiles are created. As it happens, I had just moved my machine back from Windows 8 to Windows 7 last night so I just did a re-install this afternoon and everything is fine.

Thanks for the help guys!