Move your Documents And Settings USERNAME profile off of the C: drive
Microsoft (and too many other amateurs) dump everything onto the C: drive. They aren’t cognizant of the advantages of using partitioning or logical drives.
What follows is a power user tip that allows you to relatively easily move ALL your personalized settings in C:\Documents and Settings to another partition. This is a damm sight easier than messing with TweakUI, X-Setup, etc.
I keep my settings on my D: drive. This way, if I have to wipe the C: drive to refresh Windows, I can easily get most of my settings and old files back instead of starting from ground zero. This has worked for me in Win2k and WinXP and has made systems refreshes a lot easier over the years.
Note that you’re really just changing one registry sub-key here. The rest is just to logoff the user account, copy the settings to the new location and then logon to the user account.
Step 1
1. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
2. Under this key, there will be some number of profiles (usually 6), each of these which represents a user name that you will find under C:\Documents and Settings.
3. Click on each PROFILE key entry and look at the value ProfileImagePath to identify which one represents your username.
4. Inside the registry editor, using RegEdit or a clone registry editing program (I use Registrar Lite), edit this ProfileImagePath value that represents your username and CHANGE the path to where you want to move your settings to. In my case, I wanted to move my settings from C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME to “D:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME”.
5. Save this new path value in the registry editing program.
6. Now export the whole profile key that contains this value. You will be prompted for a file name to save the exported information to. Pick a location on your hard disk (not on the C drive) and export the key. When you finish the export and look at the output file, it should look something like this (note that exported filename locations inside the registry always represent a single “\” character with two “\\” characters)
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-21-220523388-484763869-725345543-1003]
"ProfileImagePath"="D:\\Documents and Settings\\USERNAME"
"Sid"=hex01,05,00,00,00,00,00,05,15,00,00,00,7c,eb,24,0d,dd,e8,e4,1c,07,e5,3b,\2b,eb,03,00,00
"Flags"=dword00000000
"State"=dword00000100
"CentralProfile"=""
"ProfileLoadTimeLow"=dword68b90756
"ProfileLoadTimeHigh"=dword01c5b12b
"RefCount"=dword00000001
"RunLogonScriptSync"=dword00000030
"OptimizedLogonStatus"=dword0000000b
7. Delete everything below your new path name. It should now look like this:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-21-220523388-484763869-725345543-1003]
"ProfileImagePath"="D:\\Documents and Settings\\USERNAME"
Step 2
1. Now do a full reboot (don’t just logoff/on) and sign into the ADMINISTRATOR account
2. Copy C:\Documents and Settings\Username folder (including all sub-folders) to the new path location where the target users personal settings are to be saved (D:\Documents and Settings\XYZ in this example).
3. Logoff the Administrator account and back onto the User account
4. Run the registry file you previously exported to and edited with the .REG extension (right-click it and choose merge)
5. Reboot the computer again and logon to the USER account
6. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\Username and try to delete the complete folder structure
8. If Windows allows you to do this, then you have successfully transferred your settings to the new path location and all is well. Voila!
9. If Windows says that you can’t delete it because it or something in it is required by the system, then you’ve done something wrong. Open Regedit and make sure that you have modified the correct location for the user account and that it has been correctly updated.
10. If you have the right location and it hasn’t been updated, figure out why.
11. You might have to do a system restore if you’ve messed something up badly, so take a backup before and be prepared to do this if necessary.
12. Generally, an imaging program that can be initiated from DOS is the best way to restore everything if you run into problems.
The Conversation
Follow the reactions below and share your own thoughts.
October 23, 2008 at 5:54 pm, dev pandey said:
i think its good idea but i can’t to make like that plz can u give to Essy to move Idea
October 28, 2008 at 5:05 pm, Sausages said:
Why do you need to do this in two steps with a registry import/export? Can’t you just log in as Administrator to make the Regsitry changes, then copy the profile files to the new location, reboot and log in as the ‘moved’ user?
I can’t see the point in making the registry changes, exporting them, then logging in as Administrator and re-importing them again?
November 09, 2008 at 2:26 am, beandogger said:
This totally screwed up my computer. Luckily I backed up my computer.
November 29, 2008 at 9:00 am, mopheat said:
Thanks for your information…
December 02, 2008 at 1:09 am, alan said:
Since I am trying to migrate awy from Micro$oft, I ALWAYS install Linux on any computer I own, This allowed me to use Linux to copy the entire Documents and Settings folder to the destination drive. I then downloaded one of the free registry find and replaceutilites from the net and use it to replace al instances of [root drive letter]:Documents and Settings with [target drive letter]:Documents and Settings. I also checked to make sure there were no other registry values referencing the old folder eg. %systemroot%Documents and Settings and changed all that I found.
I had to use explorer to hide the two system folders in Documents and Settings. the only really wierd thing was that when I rebooted, Notepad opened displaying the contents of a file called desktop.ini. A quick search of the net for the contents of the file led me to the following MS support article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330132 .Followed the instructions and everything seems fine now. I have moved my home folder off the root drive in Linux anf it is very straightforward compared to this.
December 16, 2008 at 2:10 am, Petruza said:
Under the same key, you can find the value “ProfilesDirectory” wich holds the default directory ( C:Documents and settings ) where new profiles will be created.
So if you don’t want to do this over and over for every new user you create, you can change its value here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProfileListProfilesDirectory
February 01, 2011 at 5:49 pm, Cyrix96 said:
I have tried this, but when I make the change to D: drive and create a new profile, I get an error message logging in with the new user saying it can’t find it’s profile. Are there other settings that must be changed as well?
March 18, 2009 at 6:56 am, siva said:
thanks for ur help?
March 22, 2009 at 5:51 am, Anonymous said:
My edited and saved registry file also appeared in hexadecimal, but it worked just fine anyway.
March 22, 2009 at 5:11 pm, Anonymous said:
Thanks! This was very helpful!
I’d add one more number to Step 2 (#0.) those instructions:
Step 2
0. Create a new Admin User Account. Log out or your User Account and Log into the new Admin User Account.
1. Now ….
April 17, 2009 at 3:35 pm, P Seaman said:
Tried and failed on the Copy… Could not copy several PRF files or the CardServices folder
Was unable to continue with this solution.
June 04, 2009 at 12:45 pm, Rem said:
I like Richard’s solution of mounting the new Documents and Settings partition over the C:Documents and Settings path, and also for the C:Program files
Seems slicker, without having to mess around with the Registry (not an issue for me)
I’m about to clone my physical partitions to a VMimage with VMWare Converter, so I’m wondering if this technique would be portable to the VM, (making the Windows partition image much smaller).
Do you think this would work?
Would I be able to mount the Docs & Setts in the VM (or would there be a locking conflict?)
Everything Ghosted, so I’ll try anyway, but would appreciate anyone’s thoughts.
Cheers,
Rem
June 14, 2009 at 7:40 am, troybastydalayoan said:
hello
June 17, 2009 at 10:48 am, Tom Ford Sunglasses said:
thanks for this post, it can help those who has lack of knowledge in their computer programs. but i haven’t tried it yet.
July 29, 2009 at 3:52 am, Sharon said:
Hi, Richard! I have no idea if you’ll ever see this, but I figured I’d give it a try. I’ve tried everything to get my docs & settings off the C: drive and I’m pretty frustrated. Your solution sounded so doable to me, but I can’t get BartPE to build because of my Dell. I’ve read threads about fixes, and tried the Dell plugin, but no luck. I’m afraid I’m way in over my head with this stuff. Is there anything that works better with a Dell, just so I can get these docs off my OS drive – or did I have a 2nd drive installed for nothing? Thanks in advance if you happen to read this and answer.
Sharon
December 17, 2009 at 5:55 am, Anonymous said:
i’m trying to follow the instructions above, but when i go to my directories, there is no c:documents and settings
Please help
December 28, 2009 at 3:43 pm, BWBear said:
Moving Documents and Settings can be a problematic venture and, from experience, involves quite a lot of troubleshooting after the main changes have been made. Richard I really like your solution of mounting an NTFS volume into the empty directory. It is simple (no registry delving), effective and a lot less likely to cause problems than trying to point windows xp to a different location. I have now done this on my home desktop and it’s working great.
There is one minor snag, but certainly not a deal breaker. Windows XP has a bug that makes it impossible to delete (to recycle bin) folders from a mounted drive. So, imagine I have mounted drive “D:” to “C:Document and Settings”. If I attempt to delete any folder from within “C:Document and Settings” an access denied error message will appear. The problem does not affect files, only folders, and all other files and folder operations (create, access, move, rename, etc.) are not affected.
As I understand it, the problem relates to windows attempting to move the file to the wrong recycle folder. There are several work arounds:
1) Permanently delete the folder instead of deleting to recycle bin, by holding down shift whilst pressing/clicking delete.
2) Accessing the folder from the mounted drive directly (i.e. D:) instead of going via the folder it is mounted on to.
3) Cut and paste the folder to the C: root (or any other location on C: other than the mounted drive folder) and then delete as usual.
For more info see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/243514.
December 28, 2009 at 3:46 pm, BWBear said:
mc31 are you using Windows XP or a newer version? I think this folder is now called “C:Users” in Vista/Windows 7 but others may like to confirm this.
December 28, 2009 at 3:44 pm, BWBear said:
Moving Documents and Settings can be a problematic venture and, from experience, involves quite a lot of troubleshooting after the main changes have been made. Richard I really like your solution of mounting an NTFS volume into the empty directory. It is simple (no registry delving), effective and a lot less likely to cause problems than trying to point windows xp to a different location. I have now done this on my home desktop and it’s working great.
There is one minor snag, but certainly not a deal breaker. Windows XP has a bug that makes it impossible to delete (to recycle bin) folders from a mounted drive. So, imagine I have mounted drive “D:” to “C:Document and Settings”. If I attempt to delete any folder from within “C:Document and Settings” an access denied error message will appear. The problem does not affect files, only folders, and all other files and folder operations (create, access, move, rename, etc.) are not affected.
As I understand it, the problem relates to windows attempting to move the file to the wrong recycle folder. There are several work arounds:
1) Permanently delete the folder instead of deleting to recycle bin, by holding down shift whilst pressing/clicking delete.
2) Accessing the folder from the mounted drive directly (i.e. D:) instead of going via the folder it is mounted on to.
3) Cut and paste the folder to the C: root (or any other location on C: other than the mounted drive folder) and then delete as usual.
For more info see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/243514.
January 05, 2010 at 10:37 pm, F0rre5ter said:
How about putting the stuff in red at the top.
May 09, 2010 at 4:56 pm, Anonymous said:
Red is still red. No one should ever start doing this without having read through it all first.
January 21, 2010 at 9:40 pm, ray said:
Can’t you just do this?
How to move My Documents folder to a new location
Ok, so now to the main point of this post. Moving your My Documents folder is actually quite a simple process and can be done by anyone. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on the My Documents folder and choose Properties
2. Click Move and choose the desired location for your My Documents folder. Remember, it would be best to move it to a different PHYSICAL drive if possible. If not, move it to a different partition at least.
3. Click Ok and then click Apply. You’ll be asked whether you want to move all of the current documents to the new location or not. Choose Yes.
And that’s it! Your documents will be moved to the new location and when you click the My Documents icon on your desktop, it’ll open just as before.
January 23, 2010 at 11:01 am, BWBear said:
Thanks for your comments Ray, but that’s not really what we’re talking about here. It is very easy to move the “My Documents” folder to any location, but not so for moving entire user profiles, or the “C:Documents and Settings” folder itself.
My favourite method is the one above from Richard (anonymous). Mounting another NTFS volume to the folder is a really simple and clean way of achieving what we’re after without worrying about rogue programs with hardwired directory paths and endless registry editing.
March 03, 2010 at 10:01 am, b0knarf said:
The method I used to achieve this involved copying “documents and settings” to another partition then changing the drive letter for everything @ “HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders” and “HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerShell Folders”.
Lots of logging off and on and rebooting. Some folder regeneration has occurred.
I wish I had come across this recipe sooner. I am going to try it after I reinstall xp. It should save me a lot of time. Thanks.
March 23, 2010 at 9:00 pm, Anonymous said:
Lost right outta the shute! How do I “1. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrentVersionProfileList”?
May 09, 2010 at 4:50 pm, Anonymous said:
Gotta love this THX ibe98765 worked perfect!!
If any of you have a problem, just don’t try to think, just do exactly what is stated and NOTHING else
June 14, 2010 at 9:50 pm, GuestX said:
Can you just use NTFS junction point to point to directory on another drive/ partition?
August 30, 2010 at 8:06 pm, Salabim said:
Not a great idea at all, for this to be a safe way of working, you have to have a recent backup of C:/ AND D:/ drives instead of only C:
….besides, what do you win with moving this userfolder to D:/ ???????????
September 22, 2010 at 1:42 pm, Azhoon1980 said:
i want change my username and all proreties is changed and document and setting
October 17, 2010 at 11:18 am, Phyiphyozaw said:
is this work with the domain user ????
October 27, 2010 at 1:55 pm, Kc Huan said:
Yes. make sure u give full right to domain users
March 21, 2011 at 12:33 pm, Aslam said:
i am having windows 7 professional in my laptop, i am getting two profile path in c drive .–one is users , another is document and setting. whenever i am saving any document it is getting saved in said two places.
how can delete the folder document and setting from c drive
aslam,
shillong
April 05, 2011 at 1:36 pm, Javalotodo said:
Works FINE.
For those who had configured Welcome screen won`t be able to login with Administrator’s account. You have to make sure Welcome screen is disabled, and that you will be able to login as Administrator. Try it first !!
March 30, 2012 at 10:03 am, somebody said:
Also remember to copy the All Users and Default User profile to the new folder.
April 23, 2012 at 7:10 pm, xp boy said:
cheers, didn’t think it would work but it did! brilliant!