Win8: SSD "Users" folder Junction issues

[Skrabblez]

First off here are some specs....

• Windows 8.1
  
• New SSD with fresh Win8.1 install on it
  
• New 1tb HDD with nothing on it
  

So I wanted to move the Users folder to the HDD since that can tend to get large and bogged down with a lot of random files. So I did a fresh Win8.1 install on the SSD and follow the directions here but ONLY for the Users folder (I've heard of issues with creating Junctions with Program Files and Program Filex (x86)) http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1934205/move-users-programfiles-x86-programdata-hdd-installing-windows-ssd-boot-drive.html

So everything went fine, but now I'm running into minor issues. Unable to change Account Picture, can't bring up More PC Settings under Win Charms > Settings, can't open up Defrag (so I can disable it), Control Panel > Administrative Tools is empty.

With the Account Picture and More PC Settings... to get a little more detailed, clicking just doesn't do anything. Nothing pops up. Also in my Googling is seems like people that moved their Users folder to a HDD are not able to install Windows 8 updates, their getting an error.

So what do I do? It's obvious I'll need to reinstall Win8 but after that's done should I just leave Users folder on the SSD? Other than Documents, Videos, Downloads etc... are there any other Folders I should move to the HDD and create a Junction for?

[Mojo-Jojo]

You can nativly move most of the user folders. No need for NTFS junctions. Simply right click a folder (Such as Music) and move the target in Properties.

[Skrabblez]

You can nativly move most of the user folders. No need for NTFS junctions. Simply right click a folder (Such as Music) and move the target in Properties.

 

I understand that... what I'm trying to do is move the ENTIRE "Users" folder.

[Skrabblez]

You can change the location of the Documents, Videos, Downloads, Pictures, etc. I changed it to my HDD without any trouble. This will keep your Users folder reasonably small. 

 

The only thing that you need to change is where the files you download go. (in Chrome, utorrent) 

 

Cheers,

Mistergrave

 

Ok, so it seems moving the entire Users folder isn't the way to go.  

 

Then my next question.... Do I need to re-install Win8?  Or can I just delete the Users folder on the HDD thus breaking the Symbiotic Link?

[FizzyFantom]

Then my next question.... Do I need to re-install Win8?  Or can I just delete the Users folder on the HDD thus breaking the Symbiotic Link?

If you followed the guide you linked you should just be able to reverse the process; copy the folders back, delete them from the HDD, then change the registry entires back to the C: drive.

You can use this to change the location that programs install to by default ("Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)"), but you will need to manually reinstall any programs configured for the old porgram folders:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/how-do-you-change-the-default-installation/73450b25-d794-4f18-9add-75253b893343

This is safe as it only changes the default intallation location making the programs install there correctly. It is not recommended to actually redirect the program and user folders.

You can use this guide to move your individual user folder loactions (eg. "Documents"):

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-move-windows-7-personal-folders-my-documents-another-drive.htm

This also works for the three AppData folders ("Local", "LocalLow" and "Roaming"), but not the AppData folder itself. This can be really useful for software like Minecraft or Google Earth that store all their data in the AppData folders.

 

Using the above method you can recreate the "Users" folder structure on the secondary HDD and set those as the locations for these folders. This will work for all the folders in the "Users\NAME" folder except AppData, which must remain, but the contents can be relocated. You could even copy the User folder completely and set up the locations without losing any data or settings.

I hope this helps, if you need more help just ask

[LAwLz]

I have moved my user folder on Windows 7 to D:. What I did was I edited the registry entry that points Windows to where new user folders are created.

You can find that registry entry here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

If you change the "ProfilesDirectory" to let's say "D:\Users" then all NEW users will have their user folder in there.

 

Here is what my registry looks like:

 

 

Just a few things I want to say about this.

1) There is no guarantee that everything will work as it should. Personally I have had 0 issues on Windows 7 with it, but I have heard that for example doing a Windows Upgrade (as in, 7 -> 8 or maybe 8 -> 10) will not work. Regular Windows updates like patches, service packs and such works just fine though.

2) Don't blame me if you mess something up. I take 0 responsibility for any future issues you might have or if you break something.

3) This only applies to new profiles, so it's best to do it after a clean install. Moving a profile from C to D is pretty complicated and there are a lot of things that can go wrong.

4) I STRONGLY recommend you try it out in a virtual machine first. Just download VMWare Player or VirtualBox, install Windows and then try it out. If it works as it should then maybe you can try it on your real computer.