Runing Win 10 1909 I have the normal Documents folder in Local Disc C:\users/owner/documents. I also have created a Documents folder in another drive E. I want to move the content on E to the other Documents folder. What is the correct procedure so I don't lost any links to the folder on the E drive?
There is no "correct" method. You have a choice.
I suggest RoboCopy [a built-in utility] because it will preserve folder & file created dates, which might be useful in the future.
To ease the wording of my questions, I assume your Documents folders are at
C:\Users\Owner\Documents
E:\Documents
1 Are these the paths?
2 Are there any files with the same path & same name in both folder sets?
- So do you have, just for example, both
C:\Users\Owner\Documents\SomeSubFolder\SomeFile.txt
and
E:\Documents\SomeSubFolder\SomeFile.txt
- If so you will have to decide what to do about them. Rename them manually beforehand?
3 What do you mean by, "so I don't lost any links to the folder on the E drive?"?
4 Just so I am aware of the full situation, why do you have these duplicate folders?
5 Please respond to my questions first but I expect to suggest that you use the command
- The switches are what seem to me to be appropriate from your descriptionCode:RoboCopy "E:\Documents" "C:\Users\Owner\Documents" /E /DCOPY:DAT /XA:SH
- You can look up each of the switches by entering
robocopy /?
in a command window
- There is also a good guide at Robocopy - SS64
- The /E switch includes subfolders [even empty ones]
- The switch/DCOPY:DAT preserves folder properties, most notably their date-time stamps
- The switch /XA:SH skips system & hidden files. This avoid problems with folder view settings existing in both places.
Denis
1. Those are the paths.
2. A couple of duplicate folders, but I can delete or rename them.
3. Not applicable I don't think.
4. I wanted to space space initially on the C drive, but that no longer matters.
Have you considered leaving your data files such as documents on a drive other than C: drive in case something happens to the Windows installation on C: drive and you have to reformat C: drive and re-install Windows?
Bob,
4 It is a very common & very good practice to keep just the OS & applications on the C:\ drive and all you own folders on another drive. That is also what NavyLCdr is getting at.
- This has great benefits in deciding upon & managing your backup scheme. I'm thinking, in particular, of making system images because they are a breeze with the separation of OS+Apps / your own files.
- This has great benefits if you ever need to restore your OS by restoring a system image.
- Even if your C:\ drive is currently big enough for everything, it might not be in the future.
- Your additional drive [E:\] is likely to be much bigger than your C:\ drive.
5 [alternative version]
If you accept that E:\ will be used for your own files, the overall solution will be the same but the RoboCopy command will need to be reversed. I can do that for you.
- This version copies from the C:\ drive to the E:\ driveCode:RoboCopy "C:\Users\Owner\Documents" "E:\Documents" /E /DCOPY:DAT /XA:SH
Denis
Bob,
4 If you do decide to put all your own files on the E:\ drive then you might be interested in my response to somebody else who asked about this a few days ago
my 25th May post - #2
I think the paras that would interest you are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and the paras underneath the red text that discuss backup measures.
6 Why is your username owner? Did a shop set Windows up for you?
7 Why is the drive in question your E:\ drive? Is it an internal or external drive? If internal, what is D:\?
Denis
I think putting my files on the E drive is probably best. I will look into your earlier post.
My D drive is DVD drive. Not sure why it ended up as owner. I built the machine, guess I didn't put something in.
- - - Updated - - -
If I use Robocopy to copy the Documents folder from the C drive to the E drive, does the folder on the C drive remain? Can it then be deleted?
You have to change the location of your Documents library to E: drive:
How to Move the Documents Folder in Windows 10
Do the same for your other library folders like Pictures and Videos.
Using that method, will the two Document folders be merged?
Yes, it remains [because it is a copy operation].
Yes, its contents can then be deleted [but leave the folder itself for now pending your other decisions].
You can just build up your own set of folders on your E:\ drive to suit your own needs. You do not have to go further unless you want to do so.
I described the further steps that you can consider in that link I gave you earlier.
my 25th May post - #2
I think the paras that would interest you are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7** and the paras underneath the red text that discuss backup measures.
I have described the further steps that you can consider in my next post to avoid any need for cross-referencing to that other thread.
You can ask questions about any of those steps. I suggest you copy & post any para that you want to ask questions about so that there are no misunderstandings about what each question refers to.
** That para is what NavyLCdr is referring to with his WinAero link. There are TenForumsTutorials for each of these 'relocations'. I have done each of them but other people have commented that doing so is not essential.
List of TenForumsTutorials about user folder 'relocation'
Yes, those TenForumsTutorials about user folder 'relocation' each include an option to do the merging for you. I always move/copy them myself first because I once had the relocation procedure make a mess of the merging so I play safe.
Denis
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