Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Move the Users Directory in Windows 7

Move the Users Directory in Windows 7:

LifeHacker has a good explanation of using junctions

This seems to be an easier way to move profiles with junctions.

This is the same as Lifehacker but clearer (and the one I used)

This is the essentials:

2 cautions:
1. X:\ is probably the virtual repair drive so don't try to perform action with X as an option.
2. Two word lables need to be in quotations "Program Files", or you will get a syntax error.

Enter Recovery (be careful about drive designations)
For most users, this can be accessed by pressing F8 at boot, and choosing “Repair your computer,” but is also present on a Windows install DVD.

robocopy "E:\Users" "D:\Users" /COPYALL /MIR /XJ
robocopy "E:\Program Files" "D:\Program Files" /COPYALL /MIR /XJ
robocopy "E:\Program Files (x86)" "D:\Program Files" /COPYALL /MIR /XJ

rmdir "E:\Users" /S /Q
rmdir "E:\Program Files" /S /Q
rmdir "E:\Program Files (x86)" /S /Q

mklink "E:\Users" "D:\Users" /J
mklink "E:\Program Files" "D:\Program Files" /J
mklink "E:\Program Files (x86)" "D:\Program Files (x86)" /J

Now, reboot. If all goes well, you should see something similar to the image below. Both Program Files and Users directories still exist, but now possess a small shortcut icon.

I did this and it works. I am still confused about seeing the folders on C:  Yes the Users (etc) folder has a junction shortcut symbol but the folders under Useres do not. I presume they are symbolic.

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