XP and "program files" and "Documents and Settings"

[GTT]

Installed XP as a dual boot and things seem okay so far.

One problem I am having is that I have 98se on C: XP system on D: and
I wanted to set up my "program files" and "Documents and Settings"
folder on E: I tried to move the "PF"folder but thats a no go, windows
wouldn't let me. Can this be done or does it have to stay with certain
programs on the same partition as the system. Am I restricted to
setting up a fresh "program files" on E: and installing any new
programs there?

I would also like to have my Documents and Settings on E: but again
tried to move but same problem. I can make another folder on E: but
it gets messy with all "users", "default user" and "me"

Can someone enlighten me on this and suggest the best work around for
these irritants?

 

[Malke]

Installed XP as a dual boot and things seem okay so far.

One problem I am having is that I have 98se on C: XP system on D: and
I wanted to set up my "program files" and "Documents and Settings"
folder on E: I tried to move the "PF"folder but thats a no go, windows
wouldn't let me. Can this be done or does it have to stay with certain
programs on the same partition as the system. Am I restricted to
setting up a fresh "program files" on E: and installing any new
programs there?

I would also like to have my Documents and Settings on E: but again
tried to move but same problem. I can make another folder on E: but
it gets messy with all "users", "default user" and "me"

Can someone enlighten me on this and suggest the best work around for
these irritants?

Regarding the Program Files, you will need to uninstall them and
reinstall them on E: if that's what you want. You can't just move the
folders.

To move My Documents, use the TweakUI Power Toy, which you can get here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Malke

 

[Phil]

You can't move either of those folders(as you found out). Only work around
is like you said setup another program files folder on E and you can move
the my documents folder and it's subfolders.

 

[Jeff]

Hi,

Actually your wrong. You can relocate the Documents and
Settings folder to another drive. You just have to edit
the registry to do that. As for the Program Files, I
haven`t tried it yet, but I beleive you could also
relocate that, but would invole a lot of registry editing,
probably 400 to 500 entries worth. I posted
in "Customizing your Computer" and "Configuration Manager"
on how to move your Documents and Settings Folder. As for
the Program Files folder, I suggest you keep that in the
XP main drive.

Jeff

 

[Kelly]

Use TweakUI/My Computer/Special Folders/Change Location:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

 

[Phil]

You moved the whole documents and settings folder? I've never heard of such
a tweak, but I'll take your word for it. Can you post the registry edit for
that? Thanks for the info.

 

[GTT]

Where did you post "Customizing your Computer" and "Configuration
Manager" Jeff. Can you point us to an url?

 

[GTT]

Get it here. I got it but haven't tried it yet.

You moved the whole documents and settings folder? I've never heard of such
a tweak, but I'll take your word for it. Can you post the registry edit for
that? Thanks for the info.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Actually your wrong. You can relocate the Documents and
Settings folder to another drive. You just have to edit
the registry to do that.

You can't move Documents and settings. The initial logon needs to get
at it to find the ntuser.dat file of registry information. What you can
move is a user's own Documents and settings from it - best way for that
is a right drag and move here

 

[Phil]

Where? You forgot the link.

Get it here. I got it but haven't tried it yet.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Phil,

Some info:

First, create the new user whose profile defaults to "C:\Documents and
Settings\New User." Next, in Control Panel/System/Advanced/User
Profiles/Settings, copy the new user's profile to the desired location on
a separate data partition (something like F:\Documents and Settings\New
User).

Then in "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList,"
edit "ProfileImagePath" to the new location. The next time you log on to
New
User, all of the new user's settings are re-directed to the new location on
the data partition

Right click the My Computer icon on your Desktop/Properties/Advanced/User
Profiles/Settings/Copy To (new location). Then go to Start/Run/Regedit and
navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
(Find the profile in question) and alter the ProfileImagePath.

~~~

How to Relocate "Document and Settings" Folder

NOTE: This method relocates key Windows components. Use this method only if
you require the "Documents and Settings" folder to be moved or renamed.

To specify a different folder for the entire "Documents and Settings"
folder, including key system components, follow these steps:

Log on to the computer as an administrator. Create a new folder.
Open the current "Documents and Settings" folder.

On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, then click the View tab.
Under Advanced settings click Show hidden files and folders, then click to
clear the Hide file extensions for known file types and Hide protected
operating system files check boxes.

Click and drag to copy all the folders to the new folder, except for the
currently logged on users folder.

In Control Panel, double-click System, Advanced/User Profiles/Settings. Copy
the current user's profile to the new folder.

Click OK, close and then log off and log back on to the computer as an
administrator again.

Then go to Start/Run/Regedit. Edit/Find and type in:
Documents and Settings. Find.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DocFolderPaths
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

Replace the value data or rename the value or registry key to the new path
for each and every registry key and value that contains the original path.

NOTE: You must complete this change for every instance in the registry or
your computer may not start. It is imperative that you update all registry
keys and values with the new path.

Restart the computer.

You can now safely remove the original "Documents and Settings" folder.

 

[Phil]

Thanks Kelly. Great info and much appreciated.

Hi Phil,

Some info:

First, create the new user whose profile defaults to "C:\Documents and
Settings\New User." Next, in Control Panel/System/Advanced/User
Profiles/Settings, copy the new user's profile to the desired
location on a separate data partition (something like F:\Documents and
Settings\New User).

Then in "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList," edit "ProfileImagePath" to the new
location. The next time you log on to New
User, all of the new user's settings are re-directed to the new
location on the data partition

Right click the My Computer icon on your
Desktop/Properties/Advanced/User Profiles/Settings/Copy To (new
location). Then go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList (Find the profile in question) and
alter the ProfileImagePath.
~~~

How to Relocate "Document and Settings" Folder

NOTE: This method relocates key Windows components. Use this method
only if you require the "Documents and Settings" folder to be moved
or renamed.
To specify a different folder for the entire "Documents and Settings"
folder, including key system components, follow these steps:

Log on to the computer as an administrator. Create a new folder.
Open the current "Documents and Settings" folder.

On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, then click the View tab.
Under Advanced settings click Show hidden files and folders, then
click to clear the Hide file extensions for known file types and Hide
protected operating system files check boxes.

Click and drag to copy all the folders to the new folder, except for
the currently logged on users folder.

In Control Panel, double-click System, Advanced/User
Profiles/Settings. Copy the current user's profile to the new folder.

Click OK, close and then log off and log back on to the computer as an
administrator again.

Then go to Start/Run/Regedit. Edit/Find and type in:
Documents and Settings. Find.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DocFolderPaths
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

Replace the value data or rename the value or registry key to the new
path for each and every registry key and value that contains the
original path.
NOTE: You must complete this change for every instance in the
registry or your computer may not start. It is imperative that you
update all registry keys and values with the new path.

Restart the computer.

You can now safely remove the original "Documents and Settings"
folder.

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome, Phil. )