Hatrack River Forum: geek alert -- Windows Question

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Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

OK, in Win XP, the directory c:\Documents and Settings\user_name is usually the path to the directory that contains the desktop, application data, my documents, etc..

Is there any way for me to move that directory onto another drive and have windows still use it the same?

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

why?

Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :

I think you can. I know there's this File and Settings Transfer Wizard thingy, and I assume that it moves all that stuff and makes sure Windows knows it's there. But I've never used it.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

Because I keep having to wipe my c:\ drive clean, and I'm sick of haivng to save my personal settings for everything.

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

Well, I can understand that. But wouldn't it just be easier to backup your profile directory every-so-often on CD or something, and restore it after you wipe the drive, than to do all the registry changes and such needed to have it redirect somewhere else all the time?

just my 2 cents
FG

Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :

Geez. Here...

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=236621

Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :

Sure, you just need to use mount points. I'd bet the common practice is to put Documents and Settings on the other drive.

http://emea.windowsitpro.com/Windows/Article/ArticleID/41974/41974.html

A comment in this thread mentions someone who did it: http://ask-leo.com/can_i_move_an_installed_application_to_another_drive.html

This specifies how to put it in a different place during installation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q236621/

You would not be able to it outside of installation.

The reason for this is typically because one wants to keep the system drive fairly "pristine". In *nix its likely done more often than not by experienced users (with a partition if a drive isn't available), because it preserves one partition/disk if the other has problems for some reason.

Another one is that it makes backups extremely easy -- just use a low level copy of the entire disk onto an identical disk, and your user data's all backed up onto a plug and play replacement, meaning zero time restores.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

[Frown]

I'm not willing to re-install windows.

Oh well. Thanks for your help anyway.

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

fugu always knows the answers... [Razz]

Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :

Did you read my link, porter?

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

PC, I suspect the reason FG was asking is because she's in tech support, and has probably learned the hard way that asking why the user wants to accomplish a particular technical task can save everyone a lot of grief.

For example, I once had a user who wanted to move a database file to his desktop because he was tired of using the start menu. I had to pry to find the reason, but I was then able to show him how to use a shortcut instead of moving and relinking a database to a bad place to store it.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

PC -- I skimmed it. It seemd pretty clear that you have to set it up before you install windows.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

PC -- my mistake. It was another page that said that.

I'll try what your link suggests.

Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :

Read past that part. It explains how to do it.

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

Be very careful, MPH.

Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :

Dags, I was an IT manager for two seperate companies. I've worked phone support and have worked in the service center for a computer manufacturer. I know what users are like.

However, I also know that porter isn't just an average user. He knows his way around a PC and was just looking for a little help with a really non-standard request.

He also didn't want to reinstall windows. I'm all about that. I think that reinstalling windows is a cop-out for far too many tech support kiddies.

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

Yeah, I get that. I wasn't commenting on your advice, but rather your seeming frustration with someone else deciding to be more cautious.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

How about this Dag - I'll make a Ghost Image of my HD before I try this. That way even if I completely kill it, I can always restore it to how it is now. [Smile]

BTW, I've started using Norton Ghost as my last ditch fall-back instead of re-installing windows. If something breaks and I just can't fix it, I just go back to a point where things *were* working. [Smile]

Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :

And I approach all things with reckless abandon. [Big Grin]

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

Ghost = good

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

I know.

That reminds me -- I really should acquire a legal version. My unauthorized trial version has *definitely* expired.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

It's extremely easy to move this, Porter. In fact, I always do it, and I always do it after installation.

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

I need to buy that. Gah. I just don't have the $100+.

Edit: But CompUSA has it for $50 w/ rebate...hmmm...

-Trevor

Posted by Bekenn (Member # 6602) on :

Go ye to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx and get TweakUI. That has settings for all of the special directories, which you can modify very easily just by typing (or browsing to) the new path.

I would recommend copying your current "Documents and Settings" directory tree to the new location, and then simply iterating through the special directories using TweakUI. Should be easy and problem-free.