Windows servicing operations fail after you move user profile or ProgramData folders

Summary

In Windows Server and Windows Client, servicing issues can occur if you move the user profile folders or ProgramData folder to a drive other than the system drive. In some cases, updates, hotfixes, service packs, or upgrades don't install correctly.

We recommend that you keep the user profile folders and ProgramData folder in their default locations. Move the folders only if a supported and validated deployment scenario specifically requires you to move them.

If the folders are moved and you encounter servicing issues, review that configuration as a possible cause.

Note

Older Windows Server and Windows Client versions are more likely to experience servicing and upgrade issues in this situation. Newer versions provide better support in some scenarios, depending on the particular folder locations and the method that you use to deploy updates.

More information

You might have specific reasons to want to move the user profile folders or ProgramData folder to a drive other than the system drive. For example, you might want to:

• Simplify the backup of user data
• Separate user data from the operating system
• Reduce demand for disk space on the system drive
• Optimize storage layout

Although these goals are valid, moving these folders can cause servicing issues. Some Windows servicing components expect these folders to remain on the system drive. If these folders reside on a different volume, servicing behavior can become unreliable. This behavior might prevent the following components from installing:

• Security updates
• Monthly quality updates
• Hotfixes
• Service packs
• In-place upgrades (particularly on older versions of Windows Server and Windows Client)