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Move Documents and Settings Folder

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9 replies

by kcav

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MS says don?t do it, but if you insist they have a procedure that tells you how to install Windows on drive C,and place the Documents and Settings folder on another drive.

Here are the reasons I have for doing this. First, by moving the Documents and Settings folder to another drive I separate changes made to user configuration files from executable programs, and enhance my ability to control the executable files on my system. Is this a valid assertion?

Second, by moving the Documents and Settings folder off the System drive I reduce drive fragmentation of the Systems drive, and maybe I can back it up less often because it changes less frequently.

What is wrong with moving the Documents and Settings folder off the System drive?

9 replies

by thechas

IMHO, there is nothing "wrong" with moving the Documents and settings folder to another drive.

I use a separate drive for data files so that I only have to back up that drive.

The only "issue" that I can think of is that some programs will still default to using (or creating) a Documents and Settings folder on the C: drive.

I suspect that Microsoft is trying to force "standardization" on file locations.

Keep in mind, that Microsoft has been removing user options in an effort to reduce support calls from user created problems. They want ALL files in fixed known locations to reduce the cost of tech support.

Chas

by kcav

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate knowing what others arte doing with regards to the Documents and Settings folder.

by vernsin

The Documents and Settings keeps all information about users of your Windows. Moving it to other location would result of user profile not found error. It is not recommended to move the Documents and Settings as it may cause you unable to load your profile at all.
All the settings are keep localized to a specific user, the settings changed each time when you login to Windows, hence the comment less changes is incorrect.
For executable, they are mostly located in Program Files folder.

Here are the topics related to Documents and Settings that you need to consider. Below are the structures:
1. My Documents
2. Desktop
3. IE favourites
4. Personal Settings
5. User data and Application data.
There are still many more to list....

If you insist to change, you can do it in the Registry, but I haven't test it out, I suggest you stick to it. Just backup the files you need only.

by kcav

I have moved the Documents and Settings folder off the system drive.

Steps:
(1) went into Local Users and Groups facility and changed the Home folder and Profile path for the current user.
(2) copyied contents of Documents and Settings folder to new drive;
(3) replaced %system% with new path in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList;
(4)rebooted and removed the Documents and Settings folder from the system drive.
(5) rebooted and the Documments and Settings folder was no longer on drive C, but found on drive D.

It will be interesting to see what programs assume that the Documents and Settings folder is on the system drive, and figuring out what to do.

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