How to Move AppData from C Drive to D Drive in Windows 11/10

Updated by

Joey Albert 

Updated on Nov 10, 2026

Is your C drive running out of space? You check the disk and find that the AppData folder takes up several gigabytes. This folder stores application settings, cache files, and other program data. It usually grows as you install and use more software.

Moving some application data to D drive is one way to free up C drive space. But AppData is different from an ordinary folder. Many programs use its original path to find their settings and saved files. Moving it incorrectly might cause applications to stop working. This guide covers two ways to move AppData from C drive to D drive in Windows 11/10. 

What Is the AppData Folder?

The AppData folder is a hidden folder in your Windows user profile. It stores data created by installed programs, including application settings, browser profiles, cache files, and user-specific information.

The default AppData folder location is:

• C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData

Ther are three ways to open the folder:

• Press "Win + R", enter "%userprofile%\AppData", and press Enter. Windows will open the "AppData" folder.
• Press "Win + R", enter "%appdata%", and press Enter. Windows will open the "AppData\Roaming" folder.
• Press "Win + R", enter "%localappdata%", and press Enter. Windows will open the "AppData\Local" folder.

AppData usually contains three subfolders:

Can I Move AppData from C Drive to D Drive?

Yes. You can move AppData from C drive to D drive to free up storage space. However, moving the entire AppData folder is risky. Windows and installed programs rely on its default location. Moving it incorrectly may cause apps to stop working, lose settings, or fail to load user data.

Which AppData folders can you move:

• AppData\Roaming: Some applications support changing where this data is saved.
• AppData\Local: Large application-specific folders can be redirected to the D drive using a Junction link or a specific tool.
• Entire AppData Folder: Moving the whole folder requires changing the Windows user profile structure. This carries a higher risk of application and system errors.

Before you start, keep these points in mind:

If you only need to free up space, you can just move applications from C drive to D drive. If you still need to move AppData from the C drive to the D drive, see the next section, which includes two methods.

How to Move AppData from C Drive to D Drive Safely

You can move AppData to another drive in two ways. If you want to move the entire folder or selected application data, EaseUS Partition Master provides a dedicated Move Data feature. You can also use a Junction link to redirect the original folder to D drive manually.

Method 1. Move AppData with EaseUS Partition Master

EaseUS Partition Master is a disk management tool that helps you manage partitions and move data between drives. Its "Move Data" feature lets you transfer the entire AppData folder from C drive to D drive without manually copying files or creating Junction links.

Key benefits:

• Move the entire AppData folder: Transfer AppData to another drive instead of moving files one by one.
• Free up C drive space: Store application data on D drive to reduce storage usage on the system drive.
• Simple operation: Complete the migration through a guided interface without running command-line instructions.
• No need to move files manually: Let the tool handle the AppData transfer process.

Here is how to move AppData with EaseUS Partition Master.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, navigate to "Partition Manager," right click the C drive, and select "Data Migration."

Step 2. Select the data you want to migrate and click "Next" to continue.

Step 3. Select a target partition to migrate and click "Start" to execute the task.

Step 4. After the migration, the available space on the C drive will be increased.

Method 2. Move AppData Manually Using a Junction Link

A Junction link redirects the original AppData folder to a new location on D drive. Windows and applications continue using the original folder path, while the files are stored on D drive.

Step 1. Back Up the AppData Folder.

Press Win + R, enter "%userprofile%", and press Enter. Copy the AppData folder to another safe location.

Step 2. Copy AppData to D Drive.

Create a folder named "AppData" on D drive. Sign out of the account whose AppData folder you want to move, then sign in to another administrator account. Copy the original AppData folder to "D:\AppData".

Step 3. Rename the Original Folder.

Go to "C:\Users\YourUsername\" and rename the original "AppData" folder to "AppData_backup".

Step 4. Create a Junction Link.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following command:

• mklink /J "C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData" "D:\AppData"

Replace "YourUsername" with your Windows account name. Press Enter to create the Junction link.

Step 5. Check the New Location.

Sign in to your original Windows account. Open several applications and check whether they work normally. Keep "AppData_backup" until you confirm that all files and applications are working correctly.

Conclusion

Moving AppData from C drive to D drive can help free up disk space, but choosing the right method matters. EaseUS Partition Master offers a dedicated Move AppData feature for transferring the entire folder. If you prefer a manual approach, a Junction link is another option, but it requires extra care and may cause compatibility issues. Always back up your data before moving AppData.

FAQs

1. Can I move AppData\Local to D drive?

Yes. You can redirect AppData\Local with a Junction link. Back up the folder first and close applications that use it. Some programs rely on the default folder location, so test them after the change.

2. Can I move AppData without reinstalling applications?

Yes. You do not need to reinstall applications when using a supported migration tool or a correctly configured Junction link. Back up application data before starting the process.

3. Can I delete the AppData folder to free up C drive space?

No. Do not delete the entire AppData folder. It stores application settings, user data, and other files required by installed programs. Remove only files you have identified as unnecessary, such as supported application caches and temporary files.

4. Why is the AppData folder so large?

The AppData folder grows as applications save cache files, temporary data, user profiles, and program settings. Browsers, game launchers, and other frequently used programs are common sources of large AppData folders.