Errror using mklink /J to create symbolic link

.
I want to release space on C, by moving AppData to D: using a symbolic link.

I tried the following command at the DOS prompt under Admin privileges:

mklink /J "C:\Users\<me>\AppData" "D:\AppData"

I got the error message: Cannot create a file when that file already exists.

The file "D:\AppData" does NOT exist.

I would be grateful for any assistance.

Thanks
.

Dont you already have folder %userprofile%\appdata ?

mklink /j %userprofile%\appdata2 d:\appdata

should work if the target d:\appdata exists

e.g.

mklink /J c:\alias c:\target

.

SIW2 said:

Dont you already have folder %userprofile%\appdata ?
.

.
Yes.
.

SIW2 said:

mklink /j %userprofile%\appdata2 d:\appdata

should work if the target d:\appdata exists
.

.
That works.

As a result, I have a new folder in %USERPROFILE%\appdata2

That folder has an icon with an arrow pointing North-East

I also have dozens of new folders scattered under C:\Users\<me> in various sub-folders, and sub-sub-folders

Each of these new folders has the icon with the arrow. For example: History, Temporary Internet Files, Application Data, and so on. Is that normal?

CONCLUSION:

By reverse-engineering your instructions, and the results thereof, I'm guessing that I now need to do the following:

- By normal Windows methods, manually copy all the files that are currently in %USERPROFILE% to a new folder called AppData on D:

- In the Admin DOS console, do:
--- mklink /j %USERPROFILE%\AppData D:\AppData

RESULT: The space currently occupied by data files on C: will be released to the OS.

Thanks
.

.

Try3 said:

There's some guidance in
Relocating AppData Folder?

.
Thanks for the link
.