Move Users Folder Location in Windows 10  

pietro said:

updated apps, defender signatures, maps, used search engine. they use programdata. it seems no problems in virtualbox.

now, for few weeks, on a production pc to see if all softwares and updates works correctly. if ok, i think i'll go this way for users folder too (time saving)...

we had another windows update this week, good test. updated correctly, after a couple of days of use no errors at all... other softwares seems ok too. i'm going to relocate this way all my pcs, backup first!

I have a new HP desktop. It came with Window 10 Home. I upgraded the operating system to Windows 10 Pro, and then began Method 2. Everything seemed to go seamlessly. There were no errors. Somehow, the User folders did not move. I am trying to move them from drive C to drive D. I did use Disk Manager to rename drive D before starting Method 2. I tried a second time, but the user folders still did not move. I am using an ISO download, and then double clicked on it to create what I'll call a virtual drive with the Windows 10 files on it. I was careful to set the four parameters correctly. Each time I run Method 2, the virtual drive disappears. I suspect I am missing something basic, but I have no idea what it is. Thoughts??

Kari,
Im not sure where I went wrong but now I am stuck at the login screen after reboot.
Windows 10 is asking me for Other user- user name and password?
There are no other users Im the only one and I confirmed before I rebooted.
please help Im locked out.

Hi Kari,

Quick question. I've bought my daughter an ASUS laptop for Xmas. I want to partition the hard disc between programs and data and move the Users Folder to the data drive. Am I best to use Method 2, because I've heard that fresh installs on laptops can be tricky because of existing backup partitions and BIOS settings, and I don't want to brick it before use! If so, I was just wondering at what stage I could create the extra partition? Will I get that option when I first switch the laptop on and it goes through its first setup installation?

Merry Christmas, by the way.

Teabag.

Kari said:

If the laptop has only one hard disk, you set it up first normally.

Kari

Thanks Kari. Excellent service as always.

johngalt is correct. I mean that I double click the ISO file and it creates a G: drive that did not exist before. That drive contains the install.wim file. After I complete Method 2, the G: drive is gone. Yes, I did the disk manager work first. I set the drive names to the letters before I double clicked on the ISO file. I will provide a detailed workflow in the morning. Thanks Kari and johngalt for the help!!

Okay, I tried creating a bootable flash drive. It still did not work. Per Kari's request, here are the steps I took:

1) I installed an additional hard drive. My computer now contains an SSD and 2 spinning hard drives. I reformatted the two spinning hard droves and changed their names an letters. The spinning hard drive to which I am trying to move the Users folder is D: My DVD drive is F:

2) I created a bootable flash drive using the ISO in method one of the link you provide. I used Rufus to create the bootable flash drive. I confirmed that install.wim is in the source folder. It is there.

3) I activate the built in Administrator account

4) I sign out of my single user account and sign in as Administrator

5) I make my single user account inactive

6) Before starting the process, I copied UsersTransfer.xml to the D: drive. Here is the code from the file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"><settings pass="oobeSystem"><component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"><FolderLocations><ProfilesDirectory>D:\Users</ProfilesDirectory></FolderLocations></component></settings><cpifflineImage cpi:source="wim:G:\sources\install.wim#Windows 10 Pro" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /></unattend>

I am running a 64 bit machine and running Windows 10 Pro. My flash drive is G: I want my user folder on D:

7) I enter the sysprep command

8) I enter the sysprep command line to run the xml file and hit enter

9) All seems to go well. I am set up and enter a new user name (now up to Dummy3). I go through the set up process and use a new user name. I also customize my settings.

10) I activate my existing user account

11) I sign out of the Dummy account and sign in as my existing user

12) I remove the dummy account

Once I have booted up, the Users folder remains on C: I do not get any errors or any indication that anything did not work correctly, but the Users folder simply does not move.

Thanks in advance for the help. I appreciate it.