Moving Documents-Pictures Folders to Separate Partition

Hi, if you right click a library folder, Properties, you will see a tab 'Location'.

There is a proper way to do this, and the Tutorial section
Windows 10 Tutorial Index

has guides to this e.g.

• Undo: Merged your Pictures folder with your User folder
• How to Hide or Show User Profile Personal Folders in Windows 10 File Explorer
• How to Restore Default Location of Your Personal Folders in Windows 10
• How to Move Users Folder to another Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Desktop Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Documents Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Downloads Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Favorites Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Music Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Change the Location of your OneDrive Folder in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Searches Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Videos Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Change Your Storage Save Locations in Windows 10

To consider:
- It's very easy to make bad mistakes doing this. There are some threads here where users did that. One took days to resolve by one expert enthusiast, when MS had said it was impossible.
- Personally I'd never bother. Why?
- These folders contain folders created by programs I've installed (when they are installed). Therefore they become 'Their' folders.
- It's easy enough to create your own 'My files and folders' or whatever on the other partition, and add that to a library if you wish.

If you choose to do this, first make very sure you have a current disk image. (The routine use of Macrium reflect free/paid is tirelessly recommended). (The tutorial refers to a system image- MS itself advises people to go 3rd party).

It is an excellent strategy to keep personal files on a separate partition from Windows, as then OS maintenance does not impact them.

It's fine if you're careful and get it right- but there are several threads where perhaps less experienced people had great problems when they didn't. The risk is reflected in the emphasis on creating an image before attempting this in the tutorials.

NavyLCDR said:

I've always moved my library folders using the location tab method and have never had a single issue.

Can you elaborate.

Thanks.

Post #2 - Have you looked at the tutorials? Pictures show you how.

E.g.
How to Move Your Documents Folder Location in Windows 10

My data management philosophy is to leave the base folders where Windows installs them - Documents, Pictures, Music and Downloads, and simply move the data itself.

If you've got multiple drives in your system why not just move the data itself instead of the base folders. For me, having multiple drives in my system, I've got a drive/partition for games, photos, music, downloads, and backup data. I never move base folders from the OS installed drive, I just move the data itself around.

Yeah, I use the base folders as well, but just for minor stuff or for programs or apps needing hose folders - Adobe Lightroom for example installs it's catalogues in the Pictures folder by default. However I keep the images themselves on a separate drive.

Just a thought.

NavyLCDR said:

I've always moved my library folders using the location tab method and have never had a single issue.

x509 said:

Can you elaborate.

Thanks.

I can only confirm the same experience as NavyLCDR. Never had an issue. Also the same libraries are accessible with multiple OSes (dual or multi booting). Separate backup of system and data.

Just follow the Tutorials - right click on library, select Location tab and move all files to a new location.