Windows 10: Help moving User Directory back to primary OS SSD drive from data HDD

I surrender...*Banghead

Can someone please direct me to a good tutorial, thread or provide instructions on how to move my User Directory currently on my HDD data secondary (D*Smile drive to my SSD/OS/boot primary (C*Smile drive?

Last year facing WIN10 upgrades, I bought a new, clean Lenovo H50 i7 WIN10 machine for the family's primary machine and platform to allocate 5 family member accounts, ties to WIN Phones, Family security, monitoring, music, etc. To optimize, I added a Samsung 850 Pro SSD, clean installed WIN10 on the SSD and directed OS/boot/program files to that drive, while following many threads to wipe the HDD and move the User Directory and all data (docs, photos, music) to the 1TB HDD. It's been a freaking nightmare. Many of the WIN10 upgrade builds create some instability or malfunction of I/O, UI or account disruption. I have 5 family members (Users) with Microsoft.com accounts/authorizations. The last build again broke the computer so we cannot "switch" between users - the computer locks somewhere in the black screen or background and will only re-enter the new user if the machine is "hard" shutdown/restarted, Mail & Edge close randomly and Settings is inop. The admin level diagnostics will not even run... I cannot "Restore" because I have the User directory on different drive. I'm feed-up. I don't want a solution to this one iteration. I'm done being home IT officer. Just let help me move the User Directory to the way Big Softie designed because their engineers obviously can't handle this optimization when pushing out changes...

Thank you in advance and for allowing me to vent.



:)

 

how to optimally install windows and applications on a SSD drive and save all files to an internal hard drive

The best option is as follows:

SSD

Operating System and Application (Programs) installed to default directory

Data Drvie

All User data

User Libraries like Documents, Pictures, Videos . . . etc.

Windows Index File

The reasoning behind this is that the SSD is much faster to load Windows OS and your Applications from than a regular HDD - it also results in a more stable installation!

To move your Library folders to your data drive - see my answer above

 

Windows 10 fresh install with OS on SSD and C:\Users on HDD using DISKPART?

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

You can use the Windows Backup feature to copy the data into the HDD from SSD drive. During the backup, you can customize by choosing the folders that you want to move into the HDD. In this scenario, you will select the Users folder and back it into the
HDD drive. Once backed up, you can clean install Windows 10 on the SSD.

Please reply for further queries on this.

 

How did you get it there to begin with? You just reverse the process and associate the link for those user folders back to where they should be on the hard drive with Windows, not mapped to some other drive.

 

bro67 - I was working with a "clean" machine and install. During WIN10 install there are prompts for the directory placement. It's not that easily reversed. "Folders" can be moved through properties, but directories need to be allocated during install or administrative/registry level changes. There's also 75+ pages of thread here which seems to work for some, but proved a PIA for me. I don't think I can just reverse and hope someone can point me to a guide.

 

Folders do not just move to another hard drive on their own. Windows install for Windows 10 is no different than it was with XP. Just some security protocols have been put in place to keep people trying to get around the pre-licensing verification process.

It is a easy fix and no there is not 75+ pages on the same subject.

Windows 10 does not install anything to prompt for directory placement. If you can find it during the setup and post pictures, all of us would like to see.

 

bro67 -
I'm a novice. I'm not sure why you're on my thread. If you don't have a step-by-step instruction, thread or reference to do this, please don't answer as other forum members will not.
1. I never said Folders move themselves. But, most of the references on the web talk to moving individual user folders such as Pictures to a new drive using this guide.

Here's how to move a user folder, such as Downloads, to another location:

• Open File Explorer.
• Click Quick Access if it isn't open.
• Click the user folder that you want to change to select it.
• Click the Home tab on the Ribbon. ...
• In the Open section, click Properties.
• In the Folder Properties window, click the Location tab.
• More items...

How to Change the Location of User Folders in Windows 10 - dummies
http://www.dummies.com/.../windows-1...olders-in-wind...

I wanted to be clear I was not moving "folders" but the entire directory.

2. Here's the TenForum thread which is now over 80 pages...

Users Folder - Move Location in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

3. I'm sure you are right about installation .... and I can't send pics because I can't get back to there unless conducting a clean install. I was probably confusing with "Storage" options presented during set-up. I read my background and try to have my facts straight to gain as much efficiency and help from forums as possible - but, I'm really not sure why you are jumping my thread. IF the answer is easy - then just post it or go bother someone else, you are wasting my time and sidetracking this request.

 

Have a look at the upgrade section of that tutorial you linked,

Users Folder - Move Location in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

There is instructions for moving them back so you can do an upgrade, but there are steps there,





The author of that tutorial is very knowledgeable on the subject, and that's putting it mildly in my opinion, I would ask in that tutorial if you need more info, point him to this thread if you want too.

 

Hi @CigarXO, welcome to Ten Forums.

Extract from Derek's post above:

If method in that mentioned tutorial is how you moved the Users folder to another drive, then moving it back to C: drive is a relatively simple procedure. Before going to detailed instructions, please open Command Prompt (right click Start, select Command Prompt), and tell the full path of the folder it opens in. See the yellow highlight in screenshot below what I mean, in my case the answer to this question would be E:\Users\:




Now type %userprofile% and press Enter. This will give an error message, starting with a folder path. Tell what path is shown in error message, again see yellow highlight in below screenshot. It should be the same as the folder where Command Prompt opened:




In my case that, too was E:\Users\, confirming that the main user profile folder is E:\Users.

When we know the above, we can go to detailed instructions. However, if you have used the Sysprep method to relocate Users folder, it is not culprit to issues. The method works without issues in Windows 10, it will not cause those issues you mentioned in your first post. Anyway, if you want to move the Users folder back to C: just answer the questions I asked and we'll go from there.

I would in any case start with a repair install and see if that could solve the issues. See tutorial: Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Forums

 

Kari, Thank you for trying to be part of the solution. I would love to run my desktop optimized with User Folders & data, photos, music, etc. on the HDD and operating systems, Games, etc. on the SSD - but, I've just not been able to get it to work and used hours trying to work bugs out of WIN10 apps across my family accounts. I requested moving back the USER Folder to the boot drive only to prevent issues and to enjoy WIN10. If your analysis of my reply finds I'm close to a solution - then let's shoot for my original goal. If it appears I'm not or in over my head, let's move the User Folder to the boot drive as Microsoft intended.

Here's the results from the Cmd prompt: (My SSD is the C: drive, My HDD is the D: drive, My SSD is the OS and boot. )









Then attempted a repair install of WIN10 using Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Forumsmedia creation tool instructions. I'd tried various Recovery/re-installs prior to opening this thread, and several Support Forum cmd prompt diagnostic tools, but the last upgrade left my system in such disarray, none of them completed. The Repair Install also failed after watching it Downloading Windows 10 for 4-5 hours and Install for another one. The Setuperr Logs are here:

2016-11-24 15:23:52, Error MOUPG CInstallUI::GetDefaultLanguage(1715): Result = 0x80070002[gle=0x00000002]
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CInstallUI::OnProgressChanged(531): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupUIManager::OnProgressChanged(273): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupHost::OnProgressChanged(1804): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager:*BiggrinlpManagerCallback(1513): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CDlpTransportBits::Execute(528): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG SendCallbackMessage: [0x1] -> user callback returned 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(981): Result = 0xC1800108
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG BitsExecute: Cancelling BITS job due to error: 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager:*BiggrinlpManagerCallback(1486): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(981): Result = 0xC1800108
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::CancelCurrentTask(1994): Result = 0xC1800108
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG SendCallbackMessage: [0x1] -> user callback returned 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(981): Result = 0xC1800108
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::ExecuteTransfer(3177): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Execute(1534): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::ExecuteTask(2067): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::ExecuteTask(2030): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::ExecuteDownloadMode(7163): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::ExecuteDownlevelMode(387): Result = 0x800704D3
2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::GetDUSetupResults(5249): Result = 0x80070490
2016-11-24 15:24:41, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(979): Result = 0xC1800104
2016-11-24 15:24:41, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(982): Result = 0xC1800109
2016-11-24 15:24:41, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(979): Result = 0xC1800104
2016-11-24 15:24:41, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::Execute(236): Result = 0x800704C7
2016-11-24 15:24:41, Error MOUPG CSetupHost::Execute(372): Result = 0x800704C7


2016-11-24 15:24:29, Error SP CSetupPlatform::ResurrectNewSystem: Cannot resurrect new system.: Win32Exception: \\?\C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\NewSystem.dat: The system cannot find the file specified. [0x00000002] __thiscall UnBCL::FileStream::FileStream(const class UnBCL::String *,enum UnBCL::FileMode,enum UnBCL::FileAccess,enum UnBCL::FileShare,unsigned long)[gle=0x00000002]

2016-11-24 09:43:03, Error MOUPG CInstallUI::GetDefaultLanguage(1715): Result = 0x80070002[gle=0x00000002]
2016-11-24 14:27:58, Error MOUPG CSetupManager::GetDUSetupResults(5249): Result = 0x80070490
2016-11-24 14:28:00, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(979): Result = 0xC1800104
2016-11-24 14:28:00, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(979): Result = 0xC1800104
2016-11-24 14:28:00, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(979): Result = 0xC1800104
2016-11-24 14:28:00, Error MOUPG CDlpTask::Cancel(979): Result = 0xC1800104


I'm running it again as it failed in the 2nd boot and that's advised on the MSFT support forum... until I hear back from you.

Thanks so much!

Jeff

 

hi jeff, you think about a thirdparty tool? I used a backup tool to clone the hdd to ssd. you can read this tutorial and have a try.

 

Nothing, I repeat nothing in log you posted points to location of Users folder being the culprit. Googling your error codes gives two reasons for a failed upgrade install (repair install = upgrade install using same Windows version and edition):

• A third party AV program
• Corrupted boot records

For instance in this thread on Microsoft Community the logged errors are almost identical with yours: windows 10 upgrade fails, please help - Microsoft Community

Same issue and suggestions for a solution here and here.

Reading about those issues similar to yours gives a clear idea for a possible fix. I am not saying this will for sure fix your issue, I am only saying this is worth to test:

- Disable / turn off your antivirus application
- Boot to Windows Startup Repair as told in this tutorial: Startup Repair - Run in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
- When you reach Step 8 in above mentioned tutorial, select Advanced options:





- Select Troubleshoot:





- Select Advanced options:





- Select Command Prompt:





- Enter these commands, in this order (list numbers refer to example screenshot below):
1. bcdedit /createstore bcd
2. bcdedit / import bcd
3. bootrec /rebuildbcd
4. Type A and press Enter when asked to add installation to boot list





- Reboot PC, try repair install again

And once again: your issues have nothing to do with relocated Users folder. Of course you are the boss, it's your computer and you can move Users back to C: when and if you want to, but it does not resolve your issues.

Sysprep, the tool used to relocate Users folder is a native Microsoft tool. The method, relocating Users folder is designed by Microsoft to separate Windows and user data. It works perfectly when done correctly, for instance I have used this method for 10 years now on all my computers, since first beta versions of Windows Vista, and I have never had any issues with it.

Microsoft in fact made the method even better in Windows 10; until Windows 10 version 1511 you had to move Users back to C: before doing an in-place (repair or upgrade) install, but since version 1511 you can now do in-place install regardless where your Users folder is relocated. The only reason for this change was to make upgrade easier for those users like me who prefer user data on another drive.

Just because of this thread I did two repair installs this morning, to see it myself (have had no need to repair install, wanted to see it by myself). Both, one physical machine, one virtual machine have Users folder on E: drive, both repair installs worked without issues.

 

Kari,
I have no doubt the issue is not in having User Directories moved, but lies in corrupted root, registry or some other WIN files. I've been running corrupted since trying to add a SSD to a clean WIN HDD machine. The Samsung tool crashed mid clone, my novice experience didn't understand how WIN embeds the Recovery/boot OEM partition on the OEM HDD - and I went through iterations with Microsoft Chat/Desk help and ISO reinstalls to get to a buggy, but operational level with SSD as OS and HDD as User/data folders. BUT, with a more recent WIN10 push, the system became almost inoperable again - hangs between switching users, unstable platform apps, etc. At this point, WIN Support & Forums pointed to the same diagnostic tests you suggest above. They would not complete. Thinking I have nothing to loose, I thought that would put Users and OS back on SSD. I learned WIN install is smart enough to look at current file structure and try to duplicate leaving me with Users on D: and OS on C:. The unstable apps remained. I then tried to RESTORE - but, that doesn't work if Users on a different directory. THIS IS HOW I GOT TO WHERE I AM TODAY. Trying to move Users back to C: inorder to restore system.

I did use the Move Users Back tutorial last night and move the Users to C: And ran the Sysprep to Reinstall/Upgrade the system for a 3rd time during the day. I did not do the Registry manipulations in the latter part of the tutorial because I wasn't sure how they applied - and it was a long day wasted on this computer again (a family holiday no less). I'm and extremely frustrated Microsoft fan. I realize I've created most of my own problem trying to optimize a machine beyond my understanding, but it also strikes me that when a user/consumer has to manipulate CMD prompt instructions and registry files - the engineering has missed delivering a UI at the same quality level of dare I say - Apple. So, I'm going to use another holiday and run the suggestions you mention above and provide you the results because you are trying so much more the organic Support Desks. If I just need to wipe the drives and reinstall - that's fine, but at this point I have a machine which will not switch between users, sign on & security apps are inop, and platform apps crash. Here goes... (back later with results).

 

OMG...
I entered the CMD prompt as instructed.
1. bcdedit /createstore bcd - completed
2. bcdedit /import bcd - identified 2 installations, would not complete "A" because of "multiple indistinguishable devices"
3. bootrec /rebuildbcd - same result

I later identified the two installs as C:Windows and C:Windows.old

Then came the fun:
Upon exiting the CMD prompt, my computer booted to BLUE SCreen - "BCD missing or contains errors" File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD Error Code: 0xc000000f

I've now gone through multiple iterations of having to boot from a Recovery disc, cannot utilize Startup Repair, several routes lead to a "drive locked" message. I've tried a few advisories to "fix bcd" but hit the same multiple installation snag - then "device cannot be found" when I isolated to just C:Windows - I assume is from drive lock problem. Ran chkdsk - no problems found.

I'm I back to needing to RESET from ISO?
1. Keep my files, loose my apps (and thereby loosing apps I've paid for)
2. clean reinstall

 

That's my mistake, I didn't even think that your system would still have remnants of an old installation.

OK, using another PC, download Macrium Reflect Free: Macrium Reflect Free


Install Macrium Reflect and create a USB or CD/DVD rescue media as told in this tutorial: Macrium Reflect - Backup Restore - Windows 10 Forums (see Part One to install Reflect, Part Two to create rescue media).

When done, use the rescue USB or CD/DVD to boot your problem PC. When Macrium console is shown, select Fix Windows boot problems on top of the left pane:




Select your OS, click Next:




Click Finish:




Let Macrium do its magic. Click Yes to restart the PC, it should boot now: