Windows 7 - Change the location of the 'Users' folder.

[PixelChef]

Hi,

Recently reinstalled windows 7 and lost a few game saves which were within the Users folder (App Data > Roaming, etc), which I didn't think to back up.

I would like to move my Users folder to a different hard drive and make it the default so that I never lose this data again. I have searched the web and found a few solutions but there seems to be mixed views on them all, some people saying it didn't work etc.

Can someone reccomend the best method please?

 

[PixelChef]

You should be able to use symbolic links to store data on a different Hdd as if it was on your c: drive. Google it for an in depth method to do this.

ok, I thought that would be the best method, I saw this guide: http://lifehacker.com/5467758/move-the-users-directory-in-windows-7

Thanks

Leave 'users' where it is, and move the folders within.
Then go to the folder you wish to relocate such as MY Videos, My pictures, My whatever, and right click it, choose location, and specific the exact location you want for it.
Let windows do the move.
That way the system knows where it is meant to be.

Steam files etc will all save to the correct location under the my documents on your alternative drive.

Unfortunately this does not work for the Appdata folder which is the one I want to move. I've done this already for my documents, pictures etc.

In an ideal world all of my game save files would be in the same place (i.e. Steam directory or my documents), but unfortunately this isn't the case. Some games save the data to Appdata.

If you really want to do it, The safest way is to do it with Sysprep and an xml file. It hasn't failed me yet (Unless I was an idiot) If it does break however, It'll need a reinstall of windows.

I shall have a look into this method thank you.

 

[PixelChef]

When it comes to Folder Redirection within Windows 7, you can move each individual App Data folder (Local, LocalLow, and Roaming) to an alternate location by using Windows Explorer to access the App Data folder and then right click on any of the respective folders to access the Properties window. Within the properties window of the Local, LocalLow and Roaming folders, you should see a Location Tab. Within the location tab, you will see an option to move the folder to a separate specified location. After you type in the desired location, remember to click the “Apply” button and then “OK”. More on Folder redirection in both Windows 7 and Windows 8 can be found on the TechNet site here.

Jessica
Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro
The Springboard Series on TechNet

Hi,

Thanks, didn't try that. However I've just tried to move the Local folder to another drive using this method and during the copy process after I click apply, it gets stuck on the file "UsrClass.dat", it says that it is open in System.

I've tried closing all programs but it still won't move, any ideas?

 

[PixelChef]

I've been using this method since 7 came out and it works great, I got it from a windows mod forum ages ago, Best of all you can do this at any point in time, No reformat needed. -

This method has seemingly worked .

Thanks very much!

Thanks to the others who offered advice as well.