How to Move User Files in Windows Vista

Windows Vista maintains documents, pictures, music and other user files in a default system location to allow for special processing when needed. Often, however, these files can consume more space than is available on a given drive or partition, and space can be reclaimed by moving one or more of the special file types to other locations.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Windows Vista

1. Log into Vista using the appropriate account.

2. Decide which types of files to use. To determine how much space is being utilized by a given file type, select "Start," then "Documents," then right-click on the file folder and select "Properties." Vista will calculate how many files are in the folder and how much space they utilize.

3. Identify a new location for the files. Select a different drive or partition that has sufficient space to hold the existing files and to allow for growth. Make sure that it is a location that will always be available to Vista. If you use an external storage device, always ensure that it is attached and functional before starting Vista.

4. Create a new documents folder. On the hard drive or partition where you decided to move the document type, create a folder with a descriptive name. For simplicity, call it by the same name as the document folder you are moving, such as "Music."

5. Move the documents. Select "Start," then "Documents," then right-click on the appropriate folder and select "Properties." Select the "Location" tab, and enter the path to the new location in the field. Alternatively, click "Move," then select the new location from the file system and click "Select Folder." Select "Yes" when you are ready to move the documents, and Vista will relocate them to the new location and set the new folder as the system folder. Click "OK" to exit the folder properties dialog when finished.

[chuckfrasher]

on 1/11/2008 I am confused about these instructions. It says to click properties and then select the location tab. There is no "location" tab in Vista. Then it says alternately to highlight the folder and select "move". This option is available in XP but is no where to be found in Vista, that I can see.

[chuckfrasher]

on 1/11/2008 I am confused about these instructions. It says to click properties and then select the location tab. There is no "location" tab in Vista. Then it says alternately to highlight the folder and select "move". This option is available in XP but is no where to be found in Vista, that I can see.