Can't move Office 2010 Local Install Source (MSOcache)?

Yes, I've sucessfully moved MSOCache and parts of the %windir%\Installer cache as well off my SDD to HDD. The trick is to leave a symbolic link behind pointing to the new location. Details in the last post at http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office\_2010-office\_install/to-delete-msocache-which-is-located-in-my-local/cb9971ad-9180-402a-a484-cbff6340078a

To easily create symbolic links from Explorer, you could install http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/hardlinkshellext.html

One thing you might try is to use a junction point. I have found them incredibly useful in situations where I have a small primary drive and a large secondary drive.

Rather that instruct your installation programs to install to your "D:" drive or whatever (some applications don't give you the option or may not operate properly if you so), create a junction point in place of the applications default installation directory and point it to your second drive.

Here's an example:

Office 2010 wants to install by default to "C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office"

Using the following command from an elevated command prompt...

mklink /j "C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office" "D:\Junction Point Targets\Applications\Microsoft Office"

...will result in any files sent to "C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office" actually being redirected transparently to "D:\Junction Point Targets\Applications\Microsoft Office"

Although I haven't tried it, the same most likely can be applied to "MSOcache"

There are a small number of folders that cannot be redirected through junction points, but they tend to be special system folders, like the Windows SxS folder. Most everything else I have tried works flawlessly.

I currently have, in effect, 179GB of programs installed on an 80GB SSD, with 52GB free, all because of junction points.

"Sean M. Brannon" wrote in message news:*** Email address is removed for privacy *** .com...

From my Googling the subject, it appears that one can not relocate Office 2010's MSOcache. Am I correct in this?

 

If I am correct, this is very problematic for users with a common SSD setup configuration. It is very common to have an OS and applications installed on a small SSD, while placing all user data on a standard HD. Not being able to have the MSOcache on the HD w/o installing Office there is a serious problem. MSOcache eats up an inordinate amount of disk space, while at the same time, Office greatly benefits from the speed up an SSD offers.

 

Has anyone been successful in moving the MSOcache to a secondary drive, and using a junction to fool Office into thinking it's cache is in the right place?

There are ways to remove the MSO cache and if your Office is fully installed you should not need to use it so it can be uninstalled.  If needed you can always put in the DVD to obtain any needed files.