Windows 7 to 10 update keeping OS on C and users on D

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
       #1

    Windows 7 to 10 update keeping OS on C and users on D


    I'm back to running Windows 7 on my system. Along time ago, I moved the Windows 7 user profiles from c:/users/... to d:/users?... When I updated to Windows 10 (Get Windows 10), the update worked, but it created and used a new profile on the OS drive (c:). Went back to Windows 7, and everything is fine. I need to know how to end up with a Windows 10 install that keeps and uses my existing user profiles. Perhaps it's a two step process... update from 7 to 10 and then reconnect or point to the old user profiles.

    Thanks in advance,
    Ed (petyalor)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #2

    Normally any existing users should be kept, are you sure you do the full upgrade (keep data and applications) ? To do the full upgrade you must match the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and the original language of your current Windows version (not any language packs added after the installation). If there is no match you are offered a partial upgrade (keep data only) or a clean-install.
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  3. Posts : 822
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #3

    I don't think there is any way to save the settings when upgrading Windows 7 to 10 so you will have to change the folder locations after you upgrade.

    I changed mine by right clicking and select the properties then select the location tab
    -sneaky hidden text


    Windows 7 to 10 update keeping OS on C and users on D-folder-location.png

    Last edited by Digital Life; 24 Nov 2015 at 20:58. Reason: Beacuse I can
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #4

    Why does Microsoft's upgrade process not support this basic functionality of storing user data on the D: drive?
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #5

    Steve C said:
    Why does Microsoft's upgrade process not support this basic functionality of storing user data on the D: drive?
    Upgrading 10 works without having to put the folders back.

    I've not done an upgrade from 7 to 10 but some people here claim it works without putting users back to c Users Folder - Move Location in Windows 10 - Page 6 - Windows 10 Forums

    Note (from the same tutorial) that relocating ProgramData directory doesn't work in Windows 10
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  6. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #6

    I have my user folders, Documents, Pictures, etc on my D drive. I upgraded from 8 to 10 and they were fine. Transferring the full user profile is a different thing though. I have heard doing that causes issues when you try and do an upgrade. It fails.
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  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    My upgrade didn't fail. It did, however, create a users directory on the c: drive and didn't touch the one Windows 7 was using on the d: drive. Perhaps I missed some choice I should have made on the install that would have told it to continue to use the one on the d: drive. I'll give it another go and see what happens. I'll post the results, when I do.

    Thanks,
    Ed
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #8

    Thanks. My overall profiles are on the C: drive but I've moved My Documents, My Photos & My Music to the D: drive. It looks like an upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 will preserve these settings - is that correct?
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #9

    It did for me. I didn't have to move them again.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #10

    petaylor said:
    I'm back to running Windows 7 on my system. Along time ago, I moved the Windows 7 user profiles from c:/users/... to d:/users?... When I updated to Windows 10 (Get Windows 10), the update worked, but it created and used a new profile on the OS drive (c:). Went back to Windows 7, and everything is fine. I need to know how to end up with a Windows 10 install that keeps and uses my existing user profiles. Perhaps it's a two step process... update from 7 to 10 and then reconnect or point to the old user profiles.

    Thanks in advance,
    Ed (petyalor)
    This past weekend I decided to give it another go and try to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10. This time it worked GREAT! My OS is on the c: drive, and it used my USERS folder on the d: drive, where last time it ignored my profiles on the d: drive and created one on the c: drive. I am a very happy Windows 10 user, though it is taking time for me to move comfortably around it. But, I'm getting there.

    Perhaps the passage of time made a difference, and Microsoft made some changes to their upgrade software.

    Ed
      My Computer


 

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