Changing default location of 'Documents and Settings' folder in XP

[griobhta]

hello Folks,

I like to keep as much of my user data on a different partition from my install of XP, makes reinstall much easier. Now is there anyway of changing the location of the 'Documents and Settings' folder so that all user data is stored in a different place. I use XP but if there is a way to move the default user data in 9X i would be equally interested as it would help me look after my parents machines which us that rather than XP.

thanks in advance,

g

EDIT think i just found my own answer here which is a hell of a lot easier than microsofts suggestion here

[Siliconjunkie]

get TweakUI from MS and you can change the location of it.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../powertoys.asp

[DoctorReno]

Thank you. This is something I have been meaning to explore for my machines. You saved me a LOT of hassle.

[DoctorReno]

Thank you. This is something I have been meaning to explore for my machines. You saved me a LOT of hassle.

[DoctorReno]

Thank you. This is something I have been meaning to explore for my machines. You saved me a LOT of hassle.

[griobhta]

Originally posted by Siliconjunkie
get TweakUI from MS and you can change the location of it.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../powertoys.asp

Actually you can't. With tweakui all you can change are individual directory locations for individual accounts from within that account. A real pain in the posterier when you want to change all the directories for all the users, and any new users that might be added.

g

EDIT: Am 99% sure of this but if you can show me otherwise i would be rather greatful

EDIT x2: hmm seems this didnt work despite changing the reg entry the XP still looks to the default place

EDIT x3: looking at this new link here I think the only way is to make an 'unattended.txt' file and reinstall, as you would not believe how many times 'Documents and Settings' appears in the registry.

[Steve R Jones]

"In order to keep your system partition lean and safeguard your documents, it's a good idea to relocate the folder. You can also relocate Favorites and others for safe-keeping - even use a removable drive.

First, download Tweak UI for Win9x/ME/2000 or Tweak UI for WinXP. For this application, the older version 1.33 will work in Windows 2000.

Create your new folder in the location that you desire. You can name it whatever you like. Now open Tweak UI and find the "Special Folders" section. Select the My Documents folder and then "Change location". Click Yes on the warning and browse to your new folder.

Now copy all of the contents of the old My Documents folder to the new folder. Restart the PC. Test the folder. If it's OK, you can safely delete the old one.

Done. "
(copied from Bbill)

[griobhta]

Thanks Steve, but i've been doing that one for years with the my documents but i want to move all the profiles directory so that when i add a new user i dont have to go through all this. Also some programs like Mozilla Firebird store their bookmarks in the profiles section.

g