Move Users Folder Location in Windows 10

Jamesray15hr · 26 May 2017

I tried to create a backup in Windows Recovery Environment using this command:
wbadmin start backup -backupTarget: D: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet
However, I got an error message:
"Troubleshooting information for BMR: Recover the Operating System or Full Server

Warning: START BACKUP command is not supported in Windows Recovery Environment.

The backup operation stopped before completing.
The operation ended before completion.

Peasantmk2 · 27 May 2017

Jamesray15hr said:

I edited my message. If you have more specific feedback, please let me know, otherwise, I don't know how to improve my post. Considering that I can't sign into my computer and can't reset the PC or seem to do anything else to get it working, I would appreciate it if you could help me.

Jamesray15hr, the way I got things working again was to restore from the recovery drive, and start again. As my installation was new anyway it was just as quick to do that. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Peasantmk2 · 27 May 2017

A few notes from my recent experiences with Creators Update. I had a new PC to set up which came with an OEM version of Windows. I had 2 or 3 attempts to get things right, but having been through it all now, this is how I will approach things the next time I have an OEM machine to set up:

When you first turn the machine on, let the OEM installation complete. This will mean that your user profiles are on the SSD drive (C), and that your copy of windows gets activated.
Create your relocate.xml file as per the tutorial, and save it in the root of the drive that you want your user profiles to be on
Download and burn to DVD (or bootable USB) the latest version of Windows 10.
Boot to your installation media, and perform a full installation of Windows 10, deleting the OEM installation. I deleted all the partitions on Drive 0 (SSD), but left everything on Drive 1 (HD) alone.
Disconnect your network cable. After the PC rebooted for the second time I found that if my network cable was attached, then the installation did not stop at 'Connecting' as shown in the Creators video. It only did it if the network cable was unplugged.
Start a command prompt as per the video.
I found at this stage that Win + X did not work. I don't know why, so I just winged it from this point.
Because the relocate.xml file is already on the HD, then enter the sysprep command as per the tutorial.
Sysprep works its magic, and I ended up with a clean installation with the user profiles on the HD rather than the SSD.

Jamesray15hr · 27 May 2017

I got it working. I'm so relieved. I reset all the drives, then installed Windows on custom advanced (I got a compatibility report when I tried the recommended install option), installing Windows on the only non-reserved partition of the SSD. I had to work this out myself! I couldn't fix it with Windows Tech Support.

Version 1607, OS Build 14393.0

Jamesray15hr · 27 May 2017

I was worried that resetting on all drives would clear my external HDD, but that didn't happen.

I am trying to relocate the users folder again. I got to step 11. Here is my motherboard, an ASUS P8H61-I: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8H61I/. It doesn't mention that it has UEFI 2.0.

I tried to do the steps for an existing installation again, after clicking use express settings, I got to the same screen as before: sign in with other users. So I will reset all drives again and try again with method 1, moving from a clean install.

I couldn't reset all drives (just choosing to remove all files, not doing a full clean). So I tried to boot from the disc, and install. I got to the step where it asks me where to install Windows. For step 13, I'm wary of deleting drives on OEM software.

Jamesray15hr · 27 May 2017

Thanks for the tip, I will try to delete all disk 0 (SSD) partitions, and disconnected the external HDD.

Jamesray15hr · 27 May 2017

Peasantmk2 said:

[*]Boot to your installation media, and perform a full installation of Windows 10, deleting the OEM installation. I deleted all the partitions on Drive 0 (SSD), but left everything on Drive 1 (HD) alone. [/LIST]

Thanks for the tip, that alleviates my concern about doing this on OEM software.

Jamesray15hr · 27 May 2017

I got to the admin account after installing and rebooting in audit mode, renamed the drive letters (D for the external drive with the unmodified answers file saved as relocate.xml [all files], W for the disk drive), ran the sysprep in elevated command prompt (after net stop ws... which wasn't started), and the system rebooted with an error message.

So much trouble. I'll try to create a system image, which I haven't done, but I don't think that will help, it will just make it easier to recover (although it's a clean install anyway). Maybe I should just manually move stuff to the external drive.

I don't have Creators Update.

Hip hip hooray I finally got it working with users on D. There was a Windows.old and users folder on D so I moved or deleted them to a sub-folder on D and redid the sysprep. I was able to browse on Edge for a while, but headphones wouldn't work (they worked before and they still work with my phone) but now I can't even open it, or Start. I can't sign in as an administrator.

kenal · 29 May 2017

I'm sure you are sick of replying to messages like this.. but I'm stuck. lol

This worked for me on previous versions of Windows 10... But I have had no luck with Build 1703. I receive no error messages and no indication anything is wrong.. But when finished my Users folder is still on the C: drive.

Is there any log I can view for sysprep that might indicate the problem?

My configuration:
Drive 0: 120GB SSD
C: Windows installation drive.
Drive 1: 2TB Hard Drive
D: Games
E: Data
(note, these two volumes/partitions are Dynamic. On a previous Win10 installation I decided the partition sizes were no longer working for me. So I converted them into Dynamic partitions so I could reallocate space appropriately.)

One thought I have... Is does this work on Dynamic volumes?

I have tried your original Method One and the updated video for Creators Edition.

Here are the steps I have performed for Method One.
1. Copy-n-pasted your Unattend file from your website into notepad. Change the one line to indicate E:\Users is where my Users Profile folder shall be. Saved as E:\relocate.xml
2. Booted into a command prompt and renamed my e:\Users folder from previous installation to e:\Users_old
3. Booted off my Windows 10 1703 USB installation stick
4. Deleted partitions on my SSD drive and selected the unallocated space to install Windows 10 too
5. After Windows 10 installation rebooted and is at the 'Select Region' screen, I rebooted into Audit mode (Ctrl-Shift-F3)
6. After Windows 10 boots into Audit mode, I first launch Disk Management and make sure all volumes are assigned drive letters correctly
7. Launch an elevated command prompt using Task Manager
8. Change directory to c:\Windows\System32\sysprep
9. Enter "sysprep.exe /oobe /reboot /unattend:e:\relocate.xml"
10. Sysprep launches.. System reboots.. And I return to the 'Select Region' screen.
11. Continue installation process as normal.
12. When completed, my Users Profile folder is still c:\Users

I am currently at my wits end with this. Please help!!!

Peasantmk2 · 29 May 2017

kenal said:

Here are the steps I have performed for Method One.

Just a guess, but I got mine to work by following the creators edition video, but with my network cable unplugged, so the installation would stop at the point where it wants to establish a network connection. Then press Shift and F10 to get the command prompt up. You said in your post you'd followed the video tutorial, but what you listed is from the method description.