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How can I move default location of Public folders to a new drive?

I am setting up a brand new machine with Windows 7 pre-installed and a large 500gb hard disk.  I have partitioned the disk into 2 logical drives C: and E:

As far as possible I want to store all user data on E: (I know it is not possible for all user settings to be moved - mores the pity).  I have not yet copied across any data from my old machine so I just have blank folders to play with at the moment.  I have moved all of the My Documents/Pictures/etc. folders to the E: drive by changing the location in the properties of the folder.

However, I cannot seem to do the same with the public folders.  If I right click on the folder, click on properties, then location, it looks as if I can change it from C:\Users\Public\...  but it does not allow me to edit it

Any idea why, or how I can get around this?
Answer
Answer

This can be done through a Directory Junction which can redirect to a new location of Public folder.

First create a new folder on E:\ and perhaps you want to call it Public.

Go to Cmd prompt by running as Administrator.

Copy everything from existing public folder to the new folder created by using the command
robocopy /MIR %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\Public   E:\Public     (or whatever name you used for public folder on E:)

You need robocopy as it takes care of hidden files, etc, especially if you have Recorded TV folder within public folder.

Once the copy is transferred, you need to delete the existing public folder and create a junction in its place. For this, boot into Safe Mode as an administrator and delete the public contents and folder, and again by starting the Cmd prompt as an administrator. To remove the Public folder:


rmdir /s /q %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\Public

Having created the new location folder, and deleting the existing public folder, now is time to create a Directory Junction for public folder with the following command:

mklink /J  %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\Public   E:\Public                         (or whatever name you named the opublic folder on E:\)

for example:  mklink /J  C:\Users\Public  E:\Public

Now, whatever is meant for the original Public folder gets directed to the new location.
I hope this helps.

samc1

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Last updated March 17, 2024 Views 89,982 Applies to: