Re: Redirect User Folders in Vista

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

The messages provided (including the tutorial) I don't believe answer the questions properly. My understanding is that Pat is asking how to create usernames which are not on the C: drive at all. The answers provided showed how to move some of the directories off of the C:\users\<username> hierarchy either in part or by use of shortcuts. These techniques still require the system to "think" that home base is back on C:\users. I went through this myself successfully (including messing it up sufficient to reload from media).

The solution:
- Create a new "disposable" Administrator account.
- Login to it, go to registry editor (regedit or regedt32), drill down to
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- Edit the ProfilesDirectory key, changing its value from "C:\Users" to "D:\" (note that there is no trailing "\" on the old value, there is on the new one)
- Create all the new usernames you wish. When you login to each of them the first time, their entire directory structure will be created under D:\ There will be no trace of C:\Users references for that username (except for shared data) and you won't need to redirect anything from C:\Users.

Optional:
- Create a new Administrator account.
- Logout of the "disposable" account, login to the new account and delete the "disposable" one and all of its files.

Note that this does not completely remove the need for the C:\Users directory structure. The default user wants to live there and shared files want to live there as well.

DANGER:
Also note that the above only affects new accounts created after the registry change. If you attempt to "fix up" an existing username by moving files and changing pointers in the registry, you stand a considerable chance of messing up the username and getting the dreaded message "The User Profile Service service failed the logon. User Profile cannot be loaded". Game over for that username (as far as I have been able to determine).


"Pat Garard" <apgarard-bigpond:net:au> wrote in message news:%23Vk4M0nNJHA.5024@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
G'Day All,

I will be installing Vista HP on a new PC next week.

During installation, I will create the Administrator account as required (can't really do much else!).

Next, I would like to redirect ALL user data folders/files (Documents, Pictures ...) to drive D:.

I believe I need to alter the profiles for the Default User, and of course the new Administrator a/c.

I do not have the faintest idea how this may be done - could someone please advise?
--
Regards,
Pat Garard
Melbourne, Australia
_______________________

.

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