A set of special folders are created for every Windows user. These folders, with names like My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos or My Music, aim to offer a centralized location for specific file categories in the Windows operating system. These folders are not to be confused with the new libraries that Microsoft has integrated into Windows 7. They are all created on the same partition that Windows is installed on, something that some users might want to change.
The following articles explains how to move special folders like My Documents to another partition or location. This is actually easier than it sounds in Windows 7.
Let us take a look at where those folders are located by default in the Windows 7 operating system:
All user accounts are created in the Users folder on the partition the operating system is installed on, usually c:\Users\. The special folders are located in the user folders, e.g. C:\Users\Martin\Music or C:\Users\Martin\Documents.
One option to move the folders is to use symbolic links, a method that we have described in detail in a previous tutorial.
But that is not the easiest option as Windows 7 offers an even better solution to moving the My folders to another location. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder of the user whose My Documents folder should be moved to another location, e.g. C:\Users\Martin\.
Locate the folder that you want to move to another location, we use the My Documents folder in this example but the same principle applies to My Pictures, My Videos, My Music, Downloads and basically every folder in the user directory that is created by default during the user creation.
Right-click the desired folder and select Properties from the menu. Switch in the new window to the location tab which should look like the following screenshot.
The menu displays the current path of the folder and the three buttons Restore Default, Move and Find Target.
Restore Default simply moves the files back to the default location of the folder. Move will open a file browser with the option to pick a new folder where there files will be stored from then on while Find Target opens a Windows Explorer window with the folder selected.
The path to the new folder can also be pasted directly into the form. Selecting a new folder and clicking apply will open a Move Folder query that displays the old and new folder location and the option to move all files that are currently in the folder to the new location so that they can programs that need to access them can do so after the move.
It is recommended to move the files if they need to be accessed by applications or services which is for instance the case for the save game folder or some of the other user folders.
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This isn’t exclusive of 7. I’ve been using this since the good old days of XP.
SO HOW exactly have you been doing this since XP days Pejeno as XP does not have a ‘location’ tab in the file properties???
Maybe you were using TweakUI? Or hacking the registry?
My Documents folder properties in XP does have a ‘Move’ button in the target area.
@Art – I don’t see such a button on my WinXP SP3 install. I wonder why not? Maybe because I moved mine by hacking the registry?
I don;t know why the move button would not be there, it is there on both my XP Home Edition w/SP3 on a Dell netbook, as well as on my XP Mode Virtual Windows XP Pro w/SP3 accessed from Windows 7 Ultimate.
In years past I have also used TweakUI to move both Documents and Desktop if I recall.
I created partitions on my Cdrive so I could move my music etc,however,only my documents have the buttons described..so, I’m still trying to figure out how to do this. I have xp sv pk 3
@Renee – because My Documents in XP has pictures, music, etc, folders inside it, if you move My Documents you move them all. However, if you use tweakui, you can move the music, pics, etc, folders separately:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
I have not tried this but it might be a useful application for this too:
http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/06/move-special-folders-like-my-documents-to-a-different-path/
It describes and provide a link to a freeware application called Folder Redirector which it says makes it simple and fast to redirect folders to a different folder or drive.
Great info, but I’d really like to move a profiles “Application Data” but using the same method fails as the files are always in use. There’s no prompt to reboot or something and get it done during the next start-up.
I know it can be done with Group Policies, but I’m not sure if that exists for Local policies only Domain ones.
@taomyn
There are some methodologies here for accomplishing your task:
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1409/move-your-documents-and-settings-username-profile-off-of-the-c-drive/
I have sub folders by month under a specific fold within My Documents. I have some July stuff that I want to move to August. With XP it was so easy using the Move selection and then typing in the specific folder (subfolder). How do you move folders or should i say subfolders around in Windows 7. BOY DO I WISH I HAD MY XP BACK, WHAT A WORKHORSE AND I JUST KNEW IT SO WELL. PLEASE REPLY.
Can you help me? First I moved My documents to my second partition on my Hard Drive on my Win7.Since My videos and My Music did not go with the move, later I moved those as well to the second partition. Then I found that all my files have got mixed up; My video files have moved into my music folder and vice versa…the same with My documents.. I had thought that the files would remain in their own particular folders when I moved them. You advice will be very much appreciated. Thanking you in anticipation.
Pius
I have resolved the problem myself. First of all i had to create New folders for the Folders(My videos..etc..) I had to move to the partition. All the best to you. Pius