Windows Experts opinion needed

[Aquadraws]

Ok so most of us for sure have the basic all(Windows, programs, users etc...) in one partition setup and the OS boots from it, so my question is:

What would happen if i moved the whole Windows folder from the C:\ drive to another partition/drive and then set the boot configuration data to boot from the new partition/drive? Would Windows still work and all users data and installed programs kept or you will have to change the directory they are being looked for?

 

[Taleweaver]

Hmm...I'm fairly sure I did that at some point (my guess would be on windows XP, but not sure). What happened was option 3: windows booted, but there were all sorts of strange things. Like...when you wanted to download or install, it always suggested that earlier drive. Not sure how that information helps you, as it definately wasn't on windows 8 or 10, and I had multiple partitions at that time.

All in all, you should check a guide for this. Just cutting and pasting the windows folder is bound to cause problems. Cloning your hard drive and then restoring the image on the new drive, however, certainly works*.


*okay, I ran into one problem, once...but that was when SSD's were still fairly new and my BIOS was concinved I didn't want to boot from it because...reasons.

 

[Aquadraws]

I use Windows 7(Yes i am the unlucky one to have a GMA3600) I kinda agree you maybe windows will boot up but stuff like users and programs folders MAY NOT work because it's looking for them in the drive windows is installed on

EDIT: Actually let me try on my XP virtual machine

 

[Aquadraws]

ok just tried but, obv it will not detect any users and now it's stuck in the login screen. i will try edit the user database now

 

[Aquadraws]

Ok can't get this to work but i noticed it creates a document and settings folder on the windows drive and i tried moving the users folders in it but login screen still emptg

 

[Joom]

It's much easier to (and more ideal) to have Program Files on a separate partition/drive if this is what you're going for. It doesn't break things, and is a tad easier to migrate.
https://www.easeus.com/pc-transfer/...ms-from-c-drive-to-d-drive-in-windows-10.html

 

[Aquadraws]

What i was saying was to manually CUT and PASTE the windows folder then editing the system registry keys that control where the users folders are and see if windows would boot up(after changing the boot manager data obviously)

I tried with a Windows XP and now from C:\Document And Settings i went to E:\Users.

Thanks for linking the program files tutorial i will try tomorrow on my virtual machine

EDIT: By manually cutting and pasting the sysdir then editing the boot config the os will still boot up but it will be stuck at login screen(completely blank on XP, Manual user and password imput on Vista+) since it is looking for users in the drive %sysdir% is located. You can easily fix that by editing the ProfileList key in the registry(I do not remember the exact location)