Windows 10: Change Storage Save Locations in Windows 10

Thanks for the explanation, so it's basicly impossible to only change the libraries (documents, music, etc) folder location for a new user? But when I set a background for example, and set some desktop items, those settings get copied though. why is that?

Also, when applying the FolderLocations option, Windows doesn't support windows store apps anymore right?

 

Because those personalizations when copied to default user profile will not require a folder with a user's name to be created. You don't have to trust me, feel free to search other sources to confirm this: Storage location changes done in Settings do not work for end users even if they are done in Audit Mode before sysprepping, exception being the storage location for apps.

WRONG!

Windows works totally normally with relocated Users folder, can't imagine where you have heard such a bogus invalid information? Absolutely not true.

A bit messy screenshot:

• Using PowerShell $env:USERPROFILE to display the location of my user profile. It's relocated on drive E: as you can see, with FolderLocations component in answer file when I created my deployment image
• Drive C: has no Users folder
• Just to show in #2 you can see full content of drive C:, I am showing both hidden items and system protected items
• Installing new Windows Store app from Store, which BTW is in itself a Store (UWP) app!
• Playing with 3D Builder, another Store (UWP) app

(Click to enlarge.)

 

Thanks for the quick reply Kari *Smile I was having some trouble setting the ProfilesDirectory option, and made a SuperUser post about it.

The user that answered told me it was basicly unsupported in Windows 10, as read in this article.

It states:
We don’t recommend using this setting, except perhaps in a test environment.When this setting is changed, the Windows® Store and Windows Store apps are not supported.
Isn't this the same option as the FolderLocations option in the answer file?

 

That article you were referred to was outdated already when it was written.

Since first beta versions of Windows Vista I have used sysprep to relocate my Users folder, never had any issues with it. Windows Update works perfectly, all apps as well. I have never since those days back in early 2006 and Vista Beta run a Windows machine with Users folder on C: drive, exception being test machines and installs I do to get screenshots for tutorials or make newbie videos and other reasons like that.

It is true that until Windows 10 version 1511 build 10586 upgrade was not possible with relocated Users folder. Before that build I always needed to sysprep Users back to C: drive, upgrade and again sysprep Users to another drive after the upgrade. A simple and easy task, no issues.

However, Windows evolves all the time. Since build 10586 it is no longer required to move Users back to C: in order to be able to upgrade. I am currently running Windows 10 version 1607 on 6 physical machines and about a dozen Hyper-V virtual machines, all having Users relocated to either E: or D: drives. I've not had a single issue. I update, upgrade, run Store apps, my Windows works perfectly.

Your issue as told in that SuperUser post of yours was, believe it or not, that Windows Setup in OOBE phase did not find the U: drive. The empty not very informative error messages are a clear indication of this.

When preparing Windows image you really need to manually set the drive letters; booting to Audit Mode and seeing your preferred target drive for Users folder has ID X: does not mean it will be X: when sysprep is run and OOBE starts. Therefore when relocating Users folder it is important to go to Disk Management in Audit Mode, change the target drive for Users folder to anything else than preferred, close Disk Management, reopen it and now set the drive ID letter to preferred one. This will make it "stick".

See video in this post: Windows 10 Image - Customize in Audit Mode with Sysprep - Page 48 - Windows 10 Forums

 

Thanks Kari! How about the ProgramData option then? Do you use it on any of your machines? On the documentation, it states again:

• The Windows® Store and Windows Store apps are not supported.
• If you change the default location of the program-data folders to a volume other than the system volume, you cannot service your image. Any updates, fixes, or service packs may not be applied to the installation.

Does this mean you cannot use Windows-update according to this documentation?

The reason I am asking this so I can keep all personal data on a different disk, so I won't lose data during a fresh Windows install.

 

Relocating ProgramData folder is supported in Windows 7, not supported and should absolutely not be done in Windows 8 or later.

How many times and in how many different words you need me to say the same? Relocating Users folder has none whatsoever effect in functionality of Windows Update or upgrading Windows 10. They will work extremely well regardless if Users is relocated or not.

When done correctly the relocation of Users folder is 100% safe, only making Windows more secure (OS and user profiles on separate drives = added security).

Being very sincere, judging by your posts, I wholeheartedly recommend you just to install Windows 10 with defaults, not trying to customize the deployment image, not trying to move Users to another drive.

 

I think it would be smart to follow the tutorials on moving these folder locations as well so all the existing content is all at the same location. Not just to change the new save locations.

Do you suggest which should be done first, I know changing folder locations for example documents also makes changes to the registry.

 

Hello Jerry, *Smile

Changing the storage save location will not move the existing contents to the new location.

For that, you should use the tutorials below for the folders you want to move instead.

• How to Move Your Desktop Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Documents Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Downloads Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Favorites Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Music Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Change the Location of your OneDrive Folder in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Pictures Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Searches Folder Location in Windows 10
• How to Move Your Videos Folder Location in Windows 10

 

I'm sorry That is what I was trying to point out, maybe both should be done in sequence. Thanks for the Quick reply.

I apologize if you misunderstood me. *Wink

 

No worries mate. *Smile