Change default location of user profile

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Profiler

Hi,

How can i change the default location of "Documents and
Settings" folder? I want to change the location
to 'd:\documents and settings' instead of 'c:\documents
and settings'. In line with this activity, i also want to
move all user profiles in that folder (approx. 200 user
profiles).

--Profiler--
 
Please read below link
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;322014&Product=win20
00

How To Change the Default Location of User Profiles and Program Settings
View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q322014
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry.
Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that
you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For
information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the
following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge
Base:
256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

IN THIS TASK
SUMMARY

To Move a User's Documents and Settings Folder
SUMMARY
This article describes how to move a user's Documents and Settings folder.

All users profile information is stored in the %System Drive%\Documents and
Settings folder. If you try to move or rename a user's Documents and
Settings folder in Windows, you receive the following error message

Documents and Settings is a Windows system folder and is required for
Windows to run properly. It cannot be moved or renamed.
NOTE: This article contains information about a configuration that
Microsoft does not support. Microsoft provides this information for
informational purposes only; Microsoft makes no guarantee that this
configuration functions properly.

WARNING: Microsoft strongly recommends against renaming any system folder.
System failure or an unstable computer might result if you rename system
folders. Back up your computer before you use the information in this
article.

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To Move a User's Documents and Settings Folder
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious
problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using
Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

NOTE: This method does not relocate key Windows components. Use this method
only to move user-specific data.
Identify the user's profile path. There are two methods to identify the
profile path. Use either of the following methods (the user SID method is
preferred):
The user SID method:
Use the Getsid tool from the Windows Server Resource Kit to obtain the SID.
Use syntax that is similar to the following example:
getsid \\server1username \\server1username

After you obtain the SID, use Regedit.exe or Regedt32.exe to select the
user's SID under the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

The user path setting method:
Log on to the computer as the user, and then type set at a command prompt.
Note the setting for USERPROFILE, and then close the command prompt window.
Log on as an administrator of the computer.
Use Registry Editor to add the USERPROFILE setting to the following
registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

Click the registry key, and then click Find on the Edit menu.
In the Find box, type the value of the USERPROFILE setting, and then click
Find Next.
Change the ProfilesDirectory value to use the new path that you want in the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
registry key.
Quit Registry Editor, and then log on as the user. Type set at a command
prompt to verify that the path has changed.
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Subbu
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
Hi Subbu,

I've read this article before... but that's not what i
want. Is there a 'smart way' to change the folder location
since i want to move a large number of user profile
(approx. 200 profiles)? It's wasting my time if I move one
by one..

Please help.
 
See the bottom of tip 4141 in the 'Tips & Tricks' at http://www.jsiinc.com

Hi Subbu,

I've read this article before... but that's not what i
want. Is there a 'smart way' to change the folder location
since i want to move a large number of user profile
(approx. 200 profiles)? It's wasting my time if I move one
by one..

Please help.


Jerold Schulman
Windows: General MVP
JSI, Inc.
http://www.jsiinc.com
 
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