The Windows operating system puts all user profile folders on the main hard drive partition along with the operating system files. Those user profile folders can grow quite large especially if the designated folders for multimedia files and documents are used extensively.
Windows does not come with tools to move user profiles to another drive. A manual way has been known for some time that involves moving the user profile files to the other drive and changing settings in the Windows Registry.
The software Profile Relocator provides a similar option for Windows users. It basically relocates the user profile folder for profiles that are created after that operation.
This does mean that existing profiles will remain in their original location on the main drive and that newly created profiles will be stored in the new location. Profile Relocator is ideally used after the installation of the operating system.
Users who want to move the already existing Windows user profiles can still use the manual approach to do so.
Profile Relocator is only compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. It requires the Microsoft .net Framework 2.0 and can be downloaded from the developer’s website. Users who run the software should consider doing a backup of the operating system before they start the operation.
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This looks like what I’ve been looking for – I knew about the manual way, but this looks a lot less tedious, user-interaction wise, especially with playing in the registry.
are you now trying to save more space for your ssd martin =)
i have the same drive as you, i relocated a few folders manually but not much, im to coward for such manoeuver
btw i tried disabling hibernation and relocate my swap, besides freeing valuable space, tests in passmark showed a 5% performance increase
My main user profile is still on drive c:\. Still have 30 Gigabytes free. Did the same as you plus moved the games that I play to another drive.
Here’s an easy way to move them between computers in a domain, without any special software. (for moving a user to another PC)
http://beecherbowers.com/2009/09/29/move-windows-user-profile/
I came across this profile relocator one or two months ago. I was also curious about how it worked and sent an email to the author. Unfortunately, I never received a response in return.
So based on the lack of response and any knowledge as to what the author is actually doing to effect the move, I would ensure that I have IMAGE level backups, just in case.
And I would not count on any support.
How is this different from using the Migration Wizard (User State Migration Tool) to move your profile and settings from one user folder to another (or one machine to another)?
Couldn’t you just use USMT and back up your profile, and then log in as the “new” user and import it back in?
I’ll have to download and check out this tool, as it sounds like it would be very useful for our users that move around to machines (during cascade/refresh cycles, as they move to whatever the latest machines are that we’ve got).
I’ll have to see what it does before I start asking questions, huh? :)
Zen,
the tool is not migrating or moving existing user profiles. It is only changing the location that new profiles are created in.