Hello All,
Let me just start by saying that this is not the first time I attempt to mess with registries, system files, and I have a pretty firm grasp on what I'm doing. However, I couldn't find a single place that gave me any relevant information as to how to solve my issue.
I have a laptop with 2X SATA 2 drives, and just bought an SSD. I mitigated the entire drive which worked flawlessly. I used the Samsung Mitigation software that came with the drive, and it worked like a dream. In any case, I then began to separate the information on either drive, keeping my program and system files in the SSD, which now houses my OS, and keeping my user files and such on my HDD.
I knew it wasn't as simple as deleting files, so I started to re-locate my libraries. This worked without error. Then, I came across AppData. I figured I could simply copy the files over. It let me copy some, but not all, as some were in use. Then, I thought I'd just wing it and change my registry ProfileImagePath. This left me without a start menu and search, among other things.
Very long story short, I have what I THINK is the full AppData folder.
I also tried to make another user to exit the system uses of the files to transfer, and whenever I create a user, it doesn't let me log on with the error "User Profile could not be loaded" or something to that effect.
tl:dr - Messed up my AppData Folder - Specifically the windows files. Already ran SFC and DISM, with no integrity issues. How do I patch up my AppData folder?
Sincerely, Frustrated.
Do you have a restore point or did you create a restore point before you started moving your system files around? If so you can simply revert back to where you were with a system restore. Hold down shift when you click Restart and this will allow you to get to the troubleshooting menu and Advanced Options for System Restore.
I do not. I didn't think I would need it. Besides that, It's a brand new computer. I hadn't set that up yet.Do you have a restore point or did you create a restore point before you started moving your system files around? If so you can simply revert back to where you were with a system restore. Hold down shift when you click Restart and this will allow you to get to the troubleshooting menu and Advanced Options for System Restore.
ALSO, worth noting is that the solution I have as a placeholder is to revert my registry to the old value (C:UsersUname) (on SSD)
You see, I THINK the AppData folder is fine, but it doesnt seem to want to run from the HDD. Before all this happened, I went in and changed the temp folders from the environment variables, the and windows page file from the SSD to the HDD.
This is not a final solution, as I want to move all my app data files to my HDD.
There are often hidden protected system files in these folders and subfolders so it might be worth checking all those were copied to the HDD.
May I ask why you want to move all the AppData (and other system folders) to the HDD? These are usually hidden and are often accessed by the OS so leaving it on the SSD will speed up its operation.
To answer your question - I wanted to minimize the writes the SSD is forced to undergo due to changes in the apps and such. In any case, I ended up wiping the drive and reinstalling through a USB. When finished, I re-copied everything over to my HDD and relocated the data by right clicking "local", "locallow" and "roaming", traveling to the location tab, and inputting the new directory I wanted it in. This is what I should have done the first time around, but for some reason it wouldn't let me. In any case, I'm done for now.
Thank you philc43 for your suggestions.
Glad you got it sorted. Modern SSDs do not suffer from multiple writes so it is less of a problem now. The speed gain you would get far outweighs any concerns you might have. In practice you only really need to move the documents, pictures , music, video, downloads folders but perhaps that is an experiment you can try if you ever have to do it again!
