A partition for the user's files/documents under Vista Ultimate

[Guest]

I am configuring a new laptop online (a Dell Precision M43 system). The
online configuration allows me to request a HD partition (40GB and 80GB)
but it does not allow me to request the second partition (the 80GB one)
to be formatted. Dell cannot format. No problem. I'll format.

However, here is the troubling point: According to the Dell rep, Vista
(Ultimate) will be unable to handle or deal with the second partition,
even once formatted. Is there any truth to this?

I plan to use the second partition (the 80GB) for user files. Will this be
possible (like in XP where you can move the user files ("My Documents")
to a different partition than the main, C partition)?

Someone very knowledgeable please clarify/confirm as this is my main
decision for deciding between Vista (Ultimate) and XP Professional.

Many thanks in advance! Ideen

 

[Michael Solomon]

I am configuring a new laptop online (a Dell Precision M43 system). The
online configuration allows me to request a HD partition (40GB and 80GB)
but it does not allow me to request the second partition (the 80GB one)
to be formatted. Dell cannot format. No problem. I'll format.

However, here is the troubling point: According to the Dell rep, Vista
(Ultimate) will be unable to handle or deal with the second partition,
even once formatted. Is there any truth to this?

I plan to use the second partition (the 80GB) for user files. Will this be
possible (like in XP where you can move the user files ("My Documents")
to a different partition than the main, C partition)?

Someone very knowledgeable please clarify/confirm as this is my main
decision for deciding between Vista (Ultimate) and XP Professional.

Many thanks in advance! Ideen

Various applications have files that store date specific to the application
and the Program Files folder is no longer available for that. A lot of this
data is now stored under Users\User Name\App Data...in one of App Data's
sub-folders.
However, not all applications, most notably those not written specifically
for Vista will store data there. Consequently, they will store such data in
the Documents folder.

If you move the Documents folder to another drive, applications can have
trouble dealing with that and pointing in that direction. What then
happens, is the application will then automatically create a new, alternate
location on the "C" drive. Even though you may change it, it may work in
that period while the application is opened but when you close and reopen,
the application will ask for its data file, claim there is none or open a
new one in the alternate location. In other words, it's just simpler to
leave the Documents folder in its default location.

You can use additional partitions for other storage, backup, archival
purposes, etc. but it will be problematic trying to use it as a working
drive, that is, one on which applications store data that is used by the
application whenever it is opened. Any application with a specific user
file that opens is required when opening the application will likely have
problems if you move such working folders from their default location.

 

[Guest]

Various applications have files that store date specific to the application
and the Program Files folder is no longer available for that. A lot of this
data is now stored under Users\User Name\App Data...in one of App Data's
sub-folders.
However, not all applications, most notably those not written specifically
for Vista will store data there. Consequently, they will store such data in
the Documents folder.

If you move the Documents folder to another drive, applications can have
trouble dealing with that and pointing in that direction. What then
happens, is the application will then automatically create a new, alternate
location on the "C" drive. Even though you may change it, it may work in
that period while the application is opened but when you close and reopen,
the application will ask for its data file, claim there is none or open a
new one in the alternate location. In other words, it's just simpler to
leave the Documents folder in its default location.

You can use additional partitions for other storage, backup, archival
purposes, etc. but it will be problematic trying to use it as a working
drive, that is, one on which applications store data that is used by the
application whenever it is opened. Any application with a specific user
file that opens is required when opening the application will likely have
problems if you move such working folders from their default location.

Michael,

Many thanks for your detailed response. I understand. I do not plan
to move everything to a separate partition but only the "typical" user
files (e.g., document, image, music, video, and such files) -- i.e., purely
user files that are created and maintained by the user (essentially,
the same as how it is done under XP -- I realize that under XP one
can actually move everything data to a different partition, but I only
moved the "My Documents" folder).

I have a limited knowledge of Vista (Ultimate). Thus if my only option
will be to individually move each of the above folders (e.g., music, images,
video, etc) to the other partition, I don't mind doing that. But I want such
files to be stored and maintained on a different partition (because there are
lots of
them, and in case some things goes wrong with the OS or the C partition,
I'd like my data to be intact.

Is such an option available in Vista (i.e, the option to move only the
user created files -- "My Documents" stuff) to a new partition and leave
the application data on its default place?

Thanks in advance,
Ideen

 

[dean-dean]

Yes. All the user shell folders have a location tab, allowing you to move
them where you want, and updating the user registry accordingly, which is
where most programs look to determine the user's shell folders (Music,
Pictures, Favorites, Videos, etc.).

Here's a list:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders]
"!Do not use this registry key"="Use the SHGetFolderPath or
SHGetKnownFolderPath function instead"
"Local AppData"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\AppData\\Local"
"My Video"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\Videos"
"AppData"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\AppData\\Roaming"
"My Pictures"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\Pictures"
"Desktop"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\Desktop"
"History"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\History"
"NetHood"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Network Shortcuts"
"Cookies"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Cookies"
"Favorites"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\Favorites"
"SendTo"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\SendTo"
"Start Menu"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu"
"My Music"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\Music"
"Programs"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs"
"Recent"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Recent"
"CD Burning"="C:\\Your
Name\\DWK\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Burn\\Burn"
"PrintHood"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Printer Shortcuts"
"Startup"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start
Menu\\Programs\\Startup"
"Administrative Tools"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start
Menu\\Programs\\Administrative Tools"
"Personal"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\Documents"
"Cache"="C:\\Users\\Your Name\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Temporary
Internet Files"
"Templates"="C:\\Users\\Your
Name\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Templates"

But wait, there's more: Contacts (Address Book), Downloads, Links (for
Windows Explorer), GameExplorer (Games), Public Videos, Public Desktop,
Public Documents, Public Music, Public Pictures....