If you have a second hard drive, or even a second partition on your existing hard drive, it might be a good idea to relocate your data (music, documents, pictures, videos etc). This allows for easier/faster backups, and you can even re-install Vista without having to worry about losing your files. You can also do this with just one of the folders – for example if you have a ton of audio files and don’t want to use all the space on your C:\ drive to store music, you can relocate just the Music folder. Follow the steps outlined below to move your files to a new location…
- Start by creating a new folder on your second hard drive or partition. In the example below I have created a folder titled Ross on my E: drive. Inside that folder, create folders titled Music, Documents, Videos and Pictures.
- Once you’ve created the new folders, click the start Orb and select your name (the entry directly under your login/username picture) from the Vista menu.
- Right-click on the Music folder and select Properties
- Select the Location tab. The default location will be C:\Users\Your-Name\Music\. Click the Move button to relocate it.
- Navigate to your new Music folder. In my case, it’s found in E:\Ross\Music\. Click Select Folder when you’ve found your new Music home.
- Back on the Location tab of the Music Properties, click the Apply button.
- You’ll be prompted to confirm that you want to move your data. Click Yes.
- And now your Music folder has a new home.
- Any time in the future when you select Music, you’ll be taken to the new Music folder. Note: you don’t have to delete the old one, Vista really does move it.
- Repeat the above steps with your Pictures, Videos, Documents etc folders, if you wish.
Thanks for the great directions!
Great directions! Unfortunatly, after it was all done the folders in the old default location were still there. Am I supposed to delete them manually?