Move Users Folder Location in Windows 10  

Great tutorial e very simple.

I use the mklink /j to do a similar.

Hello, great tutorial. Is it possible to move back the Users folder to C: , without reinstalling Windows? Cheers!

I had previously moved Individual User Folders from C:\Users to D:\Users. However, the Default User Folder remained in C:\Users. I now tried Method 2 and used sysprep to shift the entire Users Folder from C: to D: through the relocate.xml file.

However, this doesn't work and the Users Folder remains in C:\Users. Incidentally, Method 1 worked beautifully for a new installation on another laptop and the entire C;\Users Folder shifted to D:\Users (including Default and Public Folders).

Request if I could know where I am going wrong.

Last time I had to do it everything worked perfectly using Method One.

Now that my D: drive has aged - just had another chkdsk during bootup - I'm looking for the correct way to temporarily move my D:\Users to E:\Users, replace D: drive and move E:\Users back to D:\Users afterwards.

I guess the answer is somewhere hidden in over 1300 posts but it may be outdated or not absolutely correct and I simply don't wanna mess it up. Note that my install media is a Windows 7 Pro DVD which was upgraded to Windows 10 Pro during the free upgrade period in 2017.

Paul Black said:

Hello @Kari,
Fantastic Tutorials!
I have used Option 1 and Option 2, BOTH without any hitches!
Thanks.

@Paul Black, perhaps you can help me get better grasp of the tutorial, specially with step 3 Method 2 when it dovetails installation tutorial?


A bit of background info: I'm just starting to use W10 and need help with the steps for changing the physical location of where the User's Accounts folders (Documents, Pictures, Music, etc.) are saved, for the two users accounts I've setup (an admin user and a standard user). I've been following this thread by Kari (and read the warning that it's risky to try with Method 2: Relocating Users folder on an existing Windows installation.) I've used Macrium Reflect to make backup image of the OS partitions per the same warning and the data partition is newly created & will only have the unattended answer file D:\relocate.xml written onto it.


And a shoutout to @Bree, who has been very helpful to me, a new Windows 10 user (and new to posting on forums as well) and has encouraged me to post my questions to the tutorial to get further clarification.


I was able to follow Kari's explanation about the line command to run Sysprep, which in turn is given further instructions within the unattended answer file, that included to prepare the computer for an OOBE (the initial boot of a new install) and reboot when ready. Then I got confused with step 3. OOBE Boot!

@Paul Black & @Kari - my understanding is if the command to Sysprep is successful, then OOBE Boot would run, as if a new installation has been done. It was further explained that Windows will go through the initial setup process. My question is this would mean that I now continue from step 21 in the installation tutorial (by Brink), where you gave the tip that I can skip entering the product key at that step and to go on to setting a dummy local account (step 22).


As of yesterday, the information noted in the tutorial is "You continue now with step 12 in the installation tutorial"....which gives instructions on choosing to either install Windows by UEFI or legacy Bios.

I'm almost done with the preparation to try this tutorial and hope to begin in a day or two....many thanks!

Quick update & closure of my post #1316 - Thanks everyone, but after reading more posts in this thread / tutorial & particularly helpful post #1248 (@johngalt), I only need to move the special folders within the profile folder and not move the entire /Users tree.

I am too scared to try this- I just got my new W-10 Desktop, but your warnings above did the trick- I have to find a safer solution. According to many online sources, the Properties pane of any folder is supposed to have a Location tab- does anyone know why NONE (not even one so far) of my Properties panes have a Location tab? How can I get one back? Yes, I know, different topic- but not really!

I'll keep reading.