Move Windows profile directory?

Question

I'd like to move the contents of the Windows profile directory (C:\Users by default) to another hard drive (U:\).

So I'd end up with directories like:

U:\Administrator\...
U:\Default\...
U:\Jon-Eric\...
U:\Public\...

What's the best way to do this?

Answer 1

The best way would probably be to make a link after you move it. A lot of applications search for your profile folder under C:\users and moving it somewhere without making an association to it will give you a headache. After moving it over to U:\<username> create a directory symbolic link to it:

MKLINK /J C:\Users\ U:

Answer 2

copy profiles to u:

change

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\ProfilesDirectory

value for future profiles and corresponding ProfileImagePath values for each of your existing (and relocated) profiles.

or just add this to startup:

subst u: "C:\Documents and Settings" :)

links approach is good too. http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/hardlinkshellext.html this tool seems best in convenience to operate with them.