Tweak Library – Change default location of the “My Documents” folder.

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Change default location of the “My Documents” folder.

With this setting, you can change the default location/path of the "My Documents" folder. Upon changing the path, all subsequent files will be saved by default at the new location.

Tweak for : Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows 2000, Windows Vista

Description:

Every user has some files and folders of personal use on his computer. The "My Documents" folder is the users’ personal folder where he normally saves all his documents, pictures, music and other personal files. If more than one user account is created on the computer, Windows creates the "My Documents" folder for each account.

This setting enables you to change the default location/path of the "My Documents" folder.

For this, go to Start > Run, enter "regedit" and search the keys listed below. Now, double-click the Value Name "Personal" under "Shell Folders" and "User Shell Folders" keys respectively, to define a new path in their Value Data fields for your "My Documents" folder.

Refresh view of your computer for the changes to take effect.

NOTE:
After changing the path, you have to copy all your "My Documents" files from the old location to the new location. Then, you’ll have all your personal files and folders at the new location. All subsequent files will be saved at the new location by default.

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Registry Entry Details:

Registry Entry 1 :

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\]

Key Type :

Current User

Value Name :

Personal

Data Type :

REG_SZ (String Value)

Enabled Value :

Disabled value :

Other value :

Define new path for My Documents Folder.

Value Action :

Modified

Registry Entry 2 :

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\]

Key Type :

Current User

Value Name :

Personal

Data Type :

REG_EXPAND_SZ (Expandable String Value)

Enabled Value :

Disabled value :

Other value :

Define new path for My Documents Folder.

Value Action :

Modified

Steps ScreenShots:

Apply registry settings according below given steps of screenshots with related changes.

First, click the Start button, and select Run. In the resulting dialog box, type "regedit".

Second, go to the 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders' key, right-click on the 'Personal' String Value and click on 'Modify'.

Third, enter the new path like 'E:\Documents and Settings\Guest\My Documents' for 'My Documents' Folder in the Value Data field and click on 'OK'.

Next, go to the 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\' key, right-click on the 'Personal' Expandable String Value and click on 'Modify'.

Finally, enter the new path for 'My Documents' Folder in the Value Data field and click on 'OK'.