Windows 2008 Server : moving users profile default locatio

Use Group Policy.  See MS Article:  
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=73435

Yes, it is possible to move the "Users" directory, but it would require you to reinstall the server from scratch.

The setting which controls where local user profiles are stored is assigned and hardcoded during Windows setup - you would need to use a program like nLite to create an unattended installation with different paths to the default storage locations.

-tigermatt

DenverRick - the author is talking about the C:\Users directory - the replcacement for C:\Documents and Settings but renamed for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, so the link you provided doesn't really apply (since that one is about Roaming Profiles).

Users replaces 'Documents and Settings'.  It can be moved with GP

Hmm...I don't normally use the local GP, but if you "Run" "GPEDIT.MSC" it will open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Ok, here ya go, on a 2008 Local Policy:

Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > User Profiles
       'Set raoming profile path for all users logging onto this computer"

READ the notes..

DR

ok
maybe i did not provide enough information
2008 server is running Terminal Services
so at users first login their profile is created in C:\users\
they are not roaming users but local users

DenverRick:Ok, here ya go, on a 2008 Local Policy:
Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > User Profiles
       'Set raoming profile path for all users logging onto this computer"

I did the change to D:\users
then i created a user called test
test belongs to remote desktop users group
at test firs login
profile C:\users\test was created
and in D:\users a folder .v2 is created
I have no idea of the content of that since i can not the conent as the administrator users

basically it did not function (or i could not make it )

The reason it did not work is because the information which was provided above is incorrect. After checking the Group Policy entry mentioned and the article, it is actually discussing the location of ROAMING user profiles. While a roaming profile is useful in some cases, it is not appropriate in this situation - because all roaming profiles will still be cached locally in the default location on the C:\ drive.

So, in this case, the post I made originally still applies. Without a reinstallation of Windows Server 2008, and a complicated procedure to make an unattended installation with a modified local user profile location, you cannot move the entire C:\Users directory to another location.

There is a workaround to a reinstallation available:
1. Enable the roaming profile path in the Group Policy provided. Configure it to redirect to D:\Users
2. Then, enable the policy "Delete Cached Copies of Roaming Profiles" in Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > User Profiles. Using these two policies, you can store all the profiles in D:\Users. When users log-on, the profile is copied to C:\Users temporarily, but as soon as they logoff, it will be deleted from C:\Users again.

-tigermatt

In my case all the users are terminal services users

this means all their data like my documents, desktop etc (as if they were Vista or XP desktop useers) are located in their profiles located in C\Users\

basically there must be a registery tweak so that all user profiles are created in D:\Users (formerly documents and settings) by default

As I have already mentioned, the Users folder on C: is created at installation, and it stays that way until you rebuild the OS and move the folder manually. You can use Roaming Profiles as I stated in my above comment to store the profiles on D:, and then they will just be placed on C: whilst the user is logged in.

Combine these roaming profiles with folder redirection to D: for the Desktop, Documents and Application Data folders (see msterminalservices.org/articles/Configure-Folder-Redirection.html) and you will find very little profile data will be stored on C:.

But without a rebuild and complete reinstallation, your chances of moving the entire Users directory to the D: drive are slim.

-tigermatt

this works just fine.....

Make sure you have a complete backup of your system!
Copy the original Default Profile directory to the new location (e.g. from C:\Users\Default to D:\Users\Default).
Copy the original Public Profile directory to the new location (e.g. from C:\Users\Public to D:\Users\Public).
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList.
Change the value of the Default key to the new user profile location (e.g. D:\Users\Default).
Change the value of the Public key to the new user profile location (e.g. D:\Users\Public).
Change the value of the ProfilesDirectory to the new user profile location (e.g. D:\Users).
Reboot the server

For each and every NEWLY created user the profile will be created in D:\Users
Former users profile must be moved manually if required
The best option is do the tweak at the very beginning of the server setup before assigning new roles like AD file server RDP etc..

I test ted by creating 2 new users. At their First login their profile was created in the D:\users folder justr like I wanted

Thank you to all for the help although I solved my problem myself

I do not feel you have solved this yourself. The procedure you have described is exactly the same as in the link at http://joshmouch.wordpress.com/2007/04/07/change-user-profile-folder-location-in-vista/, which I already referenced in my above comment (http:#a21891890).

-tigermatt

tigermatt

Sorry for that .... I missed your fist statement

I granted you the full points with thanks

This solution is excellent since I will be able to GHOST back and refresh the C patition on regular basis to arase nasty things that may arise

Glad to hear it's now sorted - apologies to appear blunt above but I guessed you had probably just missed that comment.

Thanks a lot!
--tigermatt