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#660
Hello...new to the forum...thanks for all the helpful information! I have read through this complete thread and watched the videos, through the W10 clean install thread and videos and acquainted myself with the new (to me) UEFI bios. I've used XP for as long as it would allow but am now forced to upgrade both the machine and the os, so am having to deal with quite a lot of "new stuff" so bear with me please.
The new (used) PC came with W7pro64 COA, so I obtained the correct Dell os install disk, got it loaded and then upgraded to W10pro64 with no issues. Alas, at this point I found Ten Forums and this tutorial, realized what UEFI was and that I should use it and just what I had with the "new" SSD drive and how I should actually configure the system. I chose to post here since relocating all the USER files and folders is the primary goal. I have put together an instruction sheet for myself to follow based on the multiple tutorials and videos I've gone through here and would appreciate a review and pertinent comments on it if you would be so kind? Thanks in advance for any response and keep up the great, informative work!
MOVE USERS FOLDERS AT A CLEAN (RE) INSTALL OF WINDOWS 10 Pro x64 IN UEFI MODE
Create a boot disk from MACRIUM FREE for imaging the newly created os image.
Download a Windows 10 ISO image with the install.wim file from the Windows Tech Bench site.
Create a bootable DVD with this ISO image for use with the clean install procedure.
Do a Secure erase on the SSD using bootable Parted Magic utilities – to allow it to fully be returned to a fresh out of the box state - prior to beginning the clean install.
Enter BIOS and set to full UEFI parameters, then verify/set DVD as boot option in UEFI mode – disable Secure Boot feature, for the time being at least.
Boot from the DVD drive using the W10 install media to begin the clean (re) install.
When the installation has done the last reboot and brings you to the Get going fast or Settings dialog screen, insert the imaging boot disk and then Turn Off the PC…
Re-attach the SATA cable from the existing secondary 2TB HDD already containing GPT partitions E:\ F:\ and G:\.
At this point, reboot to the imaging DVD and create a system image. When created, remove the imaging boot disk, insert the Win 10 install media disk and reboot normally, NOT to the DVD.
Setup should resume from the Get going fast/Settings screen.
Access the internet using Win+R keys and typing iexplore.exe ENTER. Go to the TenForums tutorial and copy the necessary code for the .xml answer file. Exit the browser and again, using the Win+R keys to access Notepad, create an unattended Answer File by pasting in the code given in the tutorial.
Alter the line:
<ProfilesDirectory>X:\Users</ProfilesDirectory>
to reflect the chosen drive. Save the file, naming it relocate.xml and as type “All” to (the location being used in the Answer File line previous) typically the root of any drive except C:\, which in this case will be F:\.
And the line:
<cpi: offlineImage cpi: source=”wim: X:\sources\install.wim#Windows 10 Pro” xmlns:cpi=urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi” />
to reflect the letter of the drive containing the bootable DVD with the Windows 10 install media.
[Alternatively, create this file ahead of time and save it to the root of what will become the new User Profiles drive on the secondary HDD…before beginning the clean (re) install, thereby simplifying the process?]
Access a Command Prompt (Admin) with Win+X keys and disable network connections temporarily with the command: net stop wmpnetworksvc so that Sysprep will not fail. Exit the prompt and boot to Audit Mode using the CTRL + SHIFT + F3 key sequence.
Windows boots to Audit Mode using the built-in admin account. At the Desktop, the System Preparation Tool dialog box will appear. Close it by pressing the Cancel button. Run Sysprep with the command:
%\windir%\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe /oobe /reboot /unattended:X:\relocate.xml substituting the actual location (F:\ in this case) of the Answer File for X and hit ENTER to be presented with the Sysprep is working box.
When complete, Windows runs the First Run OOBE boot from where the installation can be completed with the USERs folders now permanently moved to the new location.
At this point, if desired, re-insert the imaging boot disk, reboot to the imaging DVD and create another, final, system image. When created, remove the imaging boot disk and boot to a clean, correctly configured, install of Windows 10.
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