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Windows 10: Changing default libraries location for all new users?

Anonymous
2019-01-08T14:38:02+00:00

Hi!

I have built a new computer and am preparing to install Windows 10 Pro on it. My prior habit has been to move all library folders (\Users\MrHirsute\Documents, for example) to a secondary drive (D:\Users[Username], for example) to reduce use of the system SSD by data that doesn't really benefit from SSD speeds.

I'm wondering if there's a supported way for me to set the default location for these folders at install time, so they are created in that location (D:\Users[Username]) when the accounts (eg - for my spouse and children) are created, to save me the time of moving them later.

My search attempts show me abundant posts and articles about how to move them after they are created, but not if there's a way to put then where I want them as the user account is created.

Thanks in advance!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. DaveM121 885K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-01-08T15:12:14+00:00

    Hi MrHirsute

    Sorry, there is no way do do that from the Windows Installation routine, I wish there was, it would be a great feature, but Microsoft does not provide us with a way to do that . . .

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-01-08T17:37:54+00:00

    Thanks to both of you for your answers. I wonder if, after creating the initial account I create the anticipated folders on the D: drive, then use mklink to link them to the windows-default locations, if that would cause problems. The only ones I forsee are that the links could potentially be overwritten with actual folders, or permissions might not get set correctly because the folders would have been created before the user who will own them.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-01-08T15:16:28+00:00

    Hi MrHirsute,

                 This is a excellent question. Unfortunately I have Never Found a way during install to accomplish this. I always move them over to my D: drive after setting up Windows for the first time. Then I do a "Disk Image" to a external HD of both my C: and D: for safe keeping. However my method will not work for you since you are doing a clean install.

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