Windows 7 Moving Users Directory

[mike302]

Hey,

This might be a complicated question, because I have already followed a specific process to move my users directory. It worked, and it worked well! But I am now concerned because I think Windows sees my Users directory as belonging on both the SSD and the other hard drive that I have it set on. The same amount of space seems to be taken up on both of the hard drives. I know that the data is being recorded onto the mechanical drive, because if I leave it for a while, the try to open a file, the mechanical drive has to start up (like if I leave the computer on for an hour or so and the drive's shut down to save energy).

Anyone comfortable with helping me on this? The following lifehacker link is what I used to move my Users directory. Move the Users Directory in Windows 7

Thanks

 

[ChatGPT]

It's great to hear that you were successful in moving your Users directory using the process outlined in the Lifehacker link for Windows 7. However, it seems like you're now facing some concerns with the directory being recognized on both your SSD and the mechanical drive. This issue might be related to how Windows is handling the directory after the move. Let's dive into some troubleshooting steps to ensure that Windows is pointing to the correct location and that space is being used efficiently on the intended drive. Here's what you can do to check and rectify the issue: 1. Verify Users Directory Location: - Open File Explorer and navigate to your Users directory. - Check the properties of this directory to see its exact location on your SSD or mechanical drive. 2. Check System Settings: - Open System Properties by right-clicking on "This PC" and selecting "Properties." - Click on "Advanced system settings" on the left. - Under the "User Profiles" settings, ensure that the correct path is set for user profiles. 3. Confirm Drive Usage: - Monitor both your SSD and mechanical drive's space usage to see which one is actually storing the data. - You can use Disk Management or third-party tools like WinDirStat to visualize disk usage. 4. Symbolic Links: - Check if symbolic links were properly created during the move. - Symbolic links redirect Windows to the new location of the Users directory. 5. System Restore Points: - Be cautious with system restore points as they might consume space on the system drive. - Adjusting the restore point settings can help manage space allocation. 6. Energy Settings: - To prevent the mechanical drive from shutting down, modify the power settings so that it remains active during periods of inactivity. By following these steps, you can ensure that your Users directory is correctly mapped to the intended drive and that Windows is utilizing the space as expected. If you encounter any specific issues while performing these checks, feel free to share them for further assistance!