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Move Windows User Folders to a Second Drive the Safe Way

Relocate Downloads, Documents, Pictures and Videos to another disk with the Location tab so apps keep finding them and no library breaks.

by@guidox updated:10/30/26 time:20 min level:Intermediate tested on:Windows 11 24H2 works on:Windows 10, Windows 11
TL;DR

Move each folder from its **Properties > Location** tab, never with cut and paste. Windows then updates the library path, applications keep working, and **Restore Default** puts everything back.

Before you start

Requirements

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • A second drive with enough free space
  • Admin rights
  • A backup of the folders you are about to move
Step by step

Instructions

01

Create the target folders

Create one folder per user folder on the new drive, outside OneDrive and outside any synced folder.

D:\sers\Name>\Downloads
D:\sers\Name>\Documents
02

Move one folder at a time

In File Explorer right-click **Downloads**, open **Properties > Location**, press **Move**, select the new folder and answer **Yes** when Windows offers to move the files.

⚠ warningCut and paste leaves the library pointing at the old path. Always use the Location tab.
03

Repeat for Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music

Same procedure for each folder. Do **Desktop** last, because every shortcut and many installers write to that path.

04

Keep OneDrive out of the path

If a folder shows a OneDrive path, stop the backup first and move it through **OneDrive Settings > Backup > Manage backup**. Moving those folders by hand creates two copies and sync errors.

OneDrive > Settings > Backup > Manage backup
05

Check that apps still find their files

Open a browser and save a test download, then save a test document from an office app. Both should land in the new folder without changing any app setting.

06

Verify after a reboot

Restart and open each folder from the navigation pane. If one jumps back to C:, an application is still holding it open - close it and move the folder again.

Troubleshooting

Common issues

Access denied or file in use

Close apps using the folder, pause OneDrive sync and stop the Windows indexer briefly, then retry the move.

The folder moved but the files stayed

You answered No to moving files. Move the contents manually and delete the empty original folder.

An app still saves to the old path

That app stores an absolute path in its own settings. Re-point it there; Windows cannot rewrite third-party configs.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Can I move the whole Users folder?

Not recommended. Windows and updates expect it in place; individual known folders are the supported route.

Does this free up C:?

Yes, as soon as you delete the old copies. Verify the new location works before deleting anything.

How to undo this

Open **Properties > Location** for each folder and press **Restore Default**, then let Windows move the files back. The second drive keeps the empty folders, which you can delete.

Changelog · 1 entry
  1. 2026-10-30
    First version
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