Move Users Folder Location in Windows 10  


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 [1809]
       #1280

    johngalt said:
    Interesting. I've seen the \Users tree created on C:, but it only had a single folder in it, Administrator, so I just left it alone.
    Yes I think most users don't remove the C:\Users folder even if it's supposed to have no use anymore, that's why they don't have the problem...

    johngalt said:
    I did a reg search for C:\Users and did find numerous links to C:\Users\{My username} but that actual folder does not exist.
    Oh in my case the links in the registry using old users location only point to "C:\Users\Public\..." or "C:\Users\Default\...". In your case this is even weirder indeed because your user should have been created directly in the relocated users folder...

    johngalt said:
    Not sure why you're having issues. Maybe @Kari has some insight.
    Well the only real issue I had so far concerns the system restore functionality, and I already found the reason as I said (C:\Users must exist for system restore functionality to work). But all this + the fact that just by taking a look at the registry we can find a lot of references to the default users location C:\Users, this doesn't make me fully confident about the procedure...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #1281

    ouno said:
    Yes I think most users don't remove the C:\Users folder even if it's supposed to have no use anymore, that's why they don't have the problem...

    Well the only real issue I had so far concerns the system restore functionality, and I already found the reason as I said (C:\Users must exist for system restore functionality to work). But all this + the fact that just by taking a look at the registry we can find a lot of references to the default users location C:\Users, this doesn't make me fully confident about the procedure...
    I have not used nor do I want to use System Restore, I can't say if it requires C:\Users folder. If so, the solution is simple: leave it there after relocating. In any case, it will only contain an empty profile folder Administrator, taking up a few kilobytes. Personally, I always remove it as useless.

    If you are not confident about this procedure, please do not use it. In all these years since first Vista beta versions, on countless computers, I have never had a single issue caused by relocated Users folder.

    In my case, assuming System Restore really requires C:\Users, benefits of relocating Users folder thus separating user data and OS to different disks or partitions far outweights the ability to use System Restore, a feature which will most probably be deprecated in near future. Any of today's backup programs, Macrium Reflect in my case, does the same, faster and more reliably.

    Kari
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1
    Win10 Pro 64bit
       #1282

    I read the warnings in the first post about factory installations.
    This is a brand new HP Zbook 15 G5.
    I guess that HP does have their own answer files etc which would make it a bit risky to try this move the "users" from C: to D:
    or do you guys have a different opinion ?

    Thanks,
    Tomas
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 308
    Win10
       #1283

    toost said:
    I read the warnings in the first post about factory installations.
    This is a brand new HP Zbook 15 G5.
    I guess that HP does have their own answer files etc which would make it a bit risky to try this move the "users" from C: to D:
    or do you guys have a different opinion ?

    Thanks,
    Tomas
    I don't think you want my opinion, I just bought a new Dell laptop and never booted it up before upgrading the drive to a 1TB SDD with a fresh install of Win10. I still have the factory 256 drive in case the laptop needs to go back but at this point she looks like a keeper.

    I've never been one for all the bloatware the manufacturers put on their systems.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    win10
       #1284

    I'm trying to run this on an existing but fresh install (Dell laptop fresh install only one user). I can see that it's moved the User folder to the D drive but upon rebooting it get's in a loop of: Why did my PC restart. There's a problem that's keeping us from getting your PC ready but we think an update will help ... bla bla bla

    If I hit Crtl+shft+F3 on the screen right before this it will enter audit mode and everything looks great. All the programs work and my user can login but it pops up the sysprep dialog. If I let sysprep run I'm back to the same loop.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,667
    Windows 11 21H2 (22000.593)
       #1285

    Fresh install of which version (1803, 1809, 1903, some other Insiders Preview build....)
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 4
    win10
       #1286

    johngalt said:
    Fresh install of which version (1803, 1809, 1903, some other Insiders Preview build....)
    Sorry forgot that part, install was old maybe 1703 (need to update my USB stick) but upgraded to 1809 before trying this
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,667
    Windows 11 21H2 (22000.593)
       #1287

    Ah. Existing - I misinterpreted that.

    I've never used Method 2. @Kari also states that it is not guaranteed to work.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 4
    win10
       #1288

    johngalt said:
    Ah. Existing - I misinterpreted that.

    I've never used Method 2. @Kari also states that it is not guaranteed to work.
    Yeah did know that going in but I'm under a crazy short schedule to get these new models out the door and this is my first round with win10 and SSD with a spinner. I normally spend about two weeks messing with a new model to get everything nailed down before handing off to users, this time I had three days. Guess I'll hand them out and then work backwards toward a better image then maybe update everyone after the fact.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,667
    Windows 11 21H2 (22000.593)
       #1289

    You could try @Kari's new tutorial Microsoft Deployment Toolkit - Easy and Fast Windows Deployment | Tutorials to create a deployable image pretty quickly, if that helps.
      My Computers


 

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