Re: How 2 move the whole "C:/Documents and Settings" on another HD ?

Tech-Archive recommends: Speed Up your PC by fixing your registry

XPInquiry wrote:
I know how to move the "MyDocuments" folder but how can I move the whole "C:/Documents and Settings" to another HD ?


The Special Folder 'Documents and Settings' should either be placed on another HD during an unattended installation of XP, by setting the parameters in the unattended set up file, or moved by carefully changing the registry settings for it, **straight after a fresh install** of Windows XP. Better left where it is.

It is very possible, I have done this a few times in the past, not any more. On the installation disc it's best to keep;

C:\Documents and Settings
...\Default User
...\LocalService
...\NetworkService, and the
...\Administrator, user folder

On the disc they are installed on to. Other folders which are set up for users of the PC can be placed else where, please observe the following registry settings;

Registry Key For User Special Folders
--------------------------------------

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

---- ---- -----
Name Type Value
---- ---- -----
AppData REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Application Data
Cache REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
Cookies REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Cookies
Desktop REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Favorites REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
History REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\History
Local AppData REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
Local Settings REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings
My Music REG_SZ %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Music
My Pictures REG_SZ %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Pictures
My Video REG_SZ %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Videos
NetHood REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\NetHood
Personal REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\My Documents
PrintHood REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\PrintHood
Programs REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs
SendTo REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\SendTo
Start Menu REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu
Startup REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Templates REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Templates

To change the location of these folders, change the %USERPROFILE% to point to the chosen folder.
Make sure the folder exists first.

Registry Key For AllUser Profile Special Folders
------------------------------------------------

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

---- ---- -----
Name Type Value
---- ---- -----
Common AppData REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data
Common Desktop REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop
Common Documents REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Documents
Common Favorites REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Favorites
Common Programs REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs
Common Start Menu REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu
Common Startup REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Common Templates REG_EXPAND_SZ %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Templates

Create a REG_SZ value named CommonMusic and set the path
Create a REG_SZ value named CommonPictures and set the path
Create a REG_SZ value named CommonVideo and set the path

I will have too look for (there is a KB article for this too), I'll try to find where you can set the Disc\Path for the User folder upon creation of it.

Please don't wreck your registry.

Regards,
- WindPipe
.

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