JoAerts
asked on
Change location of Documents and Settings
I've an installed WinXP, but the disk it's installed to is getting too small. Now I want to move the Documents and Settings folder to another disk. How can I do this with low-risk and no loss of data?
Thnx
Thnx
mikecr
I wouldn't suggest it. It houses your profile and some security settings for you. It is set in the registry also. It could possibly be changed, however, I recommend moving all your documents to a different drive and going into the programs that you use and set their default file path to the new location. Also, if your running out of disk space, go to add and remove programs in the control panel and remove any applications that you don't normally use any more. Go to Windows\temp and delete everything underneath and go into IE, click on Tools from the menu and then Internet Options and click on delete files about half way down to help free up some more disk space.
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Along with mike I would suggest moving some of your programs and data files rather then the Documents and Settings folder. To expedite this you can use this free utility to help make the necessary registry settings.
COA2
Change Your Address
By Neil J. Rubenking
When you install a program in Windows, the system builds a web of connections that makes moving the program very difficult. If disk space constraints force a move, or if adding a new device causes drive letters to change, the system can lose track of essential files. References to the program are stored in shortcuts, INI files, and the system Registry. COA2, an update of our Change of Address utility, tracks down all references to the old address and replaces them with the new address. When the changes are complete, the utility presents you with a list of changes and gives you the option to undo any of them. Note that COA2 does not actually move any files. It reports moves and name changes to the system. This new version offers Windows 2000 support and an improved user interface.
COA2 runs under Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000. The Delphi 5 source code is provided with the utility for those interested in seeing how it works. Note that PC Magazine programs are copyrighted and cannot be distributed, whether modified or unmodified. Use is subject to the terms and conditions of the license agreement distributed with the programs.
http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s%253D1478%2526a%253D4506,00.asp
COA2
Change Your Address
By Neil J. Rubenking
When you install a program in Windows, the system builds a web of connections that makes moving the program very difficult. If disk space constraints force a move, or if adding a new device causes drive letters to change, the system can lose track of essential files. References to the program are stored in shortcuts, INI files, and the system Registry. COA2, an update of our Change of Address utility, tracks down all references to the old address and replaces them with the new address. When the changes are complete, the utility presents you with a list of changes and gives you the option to undo any of them. Note that COA2 does not actually move any files. It reports moves and name changes to the system. This new version offers Windows 2000 support and an improved user interface.
COA2 runs under Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000. The Delphi 5 source code is provided with the utility for those interested in seeing how it works. Note that PC Magazine programs are copyrighted and cannot be distributed, whether modified or unmodified. Use is subject to the terms and conditions of the license agreement distributed with the programs.
http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s%253D1478%2526a%253D4506,00.asp
Also, if your paging file is still on the initial disk, you can move that to the new one. That should free up a significant amount of space.
Hi JoAerts
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JoAerts
you were asking about windows xp - there is a wizard that moves my documents easily and effectively! See this MS KB article:
How to Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder
Applies To
This article was previously published under Q310147
SUMMARY
This article describes how to change the default location of the My Documents folder in Microsoft Windows XP.
MORE INFORMATION
The My Documents folder is your own personal folder in which you can store your documents, graphics, and other personal files. When there is more that one person using the computer, Windows creates a My Documents folder for each user on the computer.
By default, the target or actual location of the My Documents folder is C:\Documents and Settings\user name\My Documents, where C is the drive in which Windows is installed, and user name is the currently logged-on user. You can change the target if you want My Documents to point to a different folder location.
Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder
To change the default location of the My Documents folder, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then point to My Documents.
Right-click My Documents, and then click Properties.
Click the Target tab.
In the Target box, do one of the following:
Type the path to the folder location that you want, and then click OK. For example, D:\My Stuff.
If the folder does not exist, the Create Message dialog box is displayed. Click Yes to create the folder, and then click OK.
-or-
Click Move, click the folder in which to store your documents, and then click OK twice.
If you need to create a new folder, click Make New Folder. Type a name for the folder, and then click OK twice.
In the Move Documents box, click Yes to move your documents to the new location, or click No to leave your documents in the original location.
Restore the My Documents Folder to Its Default Location
To restore the My Documents folder to its default location, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then point to My Documents.
Right-click My Documents, and then click Properties.
Click Restore Default, and then click OK.
In the Move Documents box, click Yes to move your documents to the new location, or click No to leave your documents in the original location.
Remove the My Documents Folder from the Start menu
If you do not want to display My Documents on the Start menu, follow these steps:
Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.
Click Customize.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Start menu items list, under My Documents, click Don't display this item, and then click OK twice.
The next time you click Start, the My Documents folder is no longer displayed on the Start menu.
NOTE: Removing the My Documents folder from the Start menu does not remove the files stored in the target location of the My Documents folder.
Display the My Documents Folder on the Start menu
To display My Documents on the Start menu, follow these steps:
Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.
Click Customize.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Start menu items list, under My Documents, click Display as a link or Display as a menu, and then click OK twice.
The next time you click Start, the My Documents folder is displayed on the Start menu.
REFERENCES
For additional information about working with the My Documents Folder, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
298399 HOW TO: Set the My Documents Folder as 'Private'
For additional information about the Start menu in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
279767 Description of the Start Menu in Windows XP
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
you were asking about windows xp - there is a wizard that moves my documents easily and effectively! See this MS KB article:
How to Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder
Applies To
This article was previously published under Q310147
SUMMARY
This article describes how to change the default location of the My Documents folder in Microsoft Windows XP.
MORE INFORMATION
The My Documents folder is your own personal folder in which you can store your documents, graphics, and other personal files. When there is more that one person using the computer, Windows creates a My Documents folder for each user on the computer.
By default, the target or actual location of the My Documents folder is C:\Documents and Settings\user name\My Documents, where C is the drive in which Windows is installed, and user name is the currently logged-on user. You can change the target if you want My Documents to point to a different folder location.
Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder
To change the default location of the My Documents folder, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then point to My Documents.
Right-click My Documents, and then click Properties.
Click the Target tab.
In the Target box, do one of the following:
Type the path to the folder location that you want, and then click OK. For example, D:\My Stuff.
If the folder does not exist, the Create Message dialog box is displayed. Click Yes to create the folder, and then click OK.
-or-
Click Move, click the folder in which to store your documents, and then click OK twice.
If you need to create a new folder, click Make New Folder. Type a name for the folder, and then click OK twice.
In the Move Documents box, click Yes to move your documents to the new location, or click No to leave your documents in the original location.
Restore the My Documents Folder to Its Default Location
To restore the My Documents folder to its default location, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then point to My Documents.
Right-click My Documents, and then click Properties.
Click Restore Default, and then click OK.
In the Move Documents box, click Yes to move your documents to the new location, or click No to leave your documents in the original location.
Remove the My Documents Folder from the Start menu
If you do not want to display My Documents on the Start menu, follow these steps:
Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.
Click Customize.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Start menu items list, under My Documents, click Don't display this item, and then click OK twice.
The next time you click Start, the My Documents folder is no longer displayed on the Start menu.
NOTE: Removing the My Documents folder from the Start menu does not remove the files stored in the target location of the My Documents folder.
Display the My Documents Folder on the Start menu
To display My Documents on the Start menu, follow these steps:
Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.
Click Customize.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Start menu items list, under My Documents, click Display as a link or Display as a menu, and then click OK twice.
The next time you click Start, the My Documents folder is displayed on the Start menu.
REFERENCES
For additional information about working with the My Documents Folder, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
298399 HOW TO: Set the My Documents Folder as 'Private'
For additional information about the Start menu in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
279767 Description of the Start Menu in Windows XP
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional