windows 7 - How do I mklink junction + move content from C:\Program Files to D:\Program Files?

30
2013-08

Matt

I have a few applications that absolutely refuse to install into anything but C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files(x86). Changing the registry keys for default install folders doesn't seem to provide any satisfaction and so now I'm wondering about throwing a NTFS junction in there to force these pesky applications to cooperate.

There are files currently in use within Windows so it's quite likely I am not going to be able to do this within the active OS. Is there some bootable Windows 7 system tools that would allow me to make this happen? Seems I will need the ability to copy files (with permissions!) from one drive to another, as well as make the junction for Windows.

Answers

jidar

Yes, you can create a link via mklink /j "C:\Program Files\foo1" "E:\foo1" if the application doesn't support it directly. I do this for Steam Applications (games) and it works quite well.

As far as utilities that allow you to do this, have you tried Safe Mode?

This link describes using xcopy to preserve attributes

Also, make sure to run a command prompt with Administrative privileges. You'll need cmd.exe for mklink (as its not directly available in powershell)

Hope this helps!

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Recently I've installed Windows 7. I was used to use XP before. While trying to copy Firefox profile from XP's NTFS drive (D:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\Mozilla) to 7's NTFS drive (C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla), Windows 7 tells that I need to provide administrator permission to copy those files. My Windows 7 account already has admin permissions, as this is the only account (am I correct?). But still I cannot copy. How can I copy files from old system drive?

Thanks in advance.

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windows 7 - How do I mklink junction + move content from C:\Program Files to D:\Program Files?