How to relocate your Windows Vista data folders (Documents, Music, Pictures etc)

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…

1. 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.


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2. 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.
3. Right-click on the Music folder and select Properties
4. Select the Location tab. The default location will be C:\Users\Your-Name\Music\. Click the Move button to relocate it.


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5. 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.


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6. Back on the Location tab of the Music Properties, click the Apply button.


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7. You’ll be prompted to confirm that you want to move your data. Click Yes.


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8. And now your Music folder has a new home.


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9. 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.
10. Repeat the above steps with your Pictures, Videos, Documents etc folders, if you wish.