How to Transfer User Profile to Another Drive

A user profile is a collection of your data, including your Desktop, Documents, and other account settings. Check your Windows default location in C: drive: C:\Users\your user name. Generally, our personal data is stored in a C drive by default. What if your C drive is running out of space? It may fail to keep up with constantly updated data, and you may need to move user files to another drive or PC to free up storage space.

Now let's see how to transfer the user profile to another drive and how to transfer user profiles from one computer to another with the quick view here:

How to Transfer User Profile to Another Drive - 3 Ways

Redirect user folder's location can be finished in 3 ways - one automatic software and two built-in features.

Method 1. EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free

The newest version of EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free now supports transferring user profiles to another drive for free. It can automatically detect User Profile related folders on your PC, allowing you to view them in one clear interface and move them with one simple click.

For average users, it is the easiest way to change your file location from one hard drive to another.

Download EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free and transfer your User Profile in a few seconds:

Step 1. Run EaseUS Todo PCTrans, click "More Tools" on the left pane. Then, click "Large File Cleanup" and click "Start" button.

Step 2. Select "Folder" tab, check the folders you want to move. Choose target drive and click "Move" button.

Step 3. Wait for moving process completes. Click "Finish".

Note: You can click the "Restore" button to restore the current folder to the default location.

After moving the target folders to the new drive, you are allowed to restore them to their original location with the "Restore" button beside them. This software also supports moving applications to another drive. If you are looking for an effective, we recommend this software.

Great, this software successfully moved your user profile to another drive, right? Feel free to share this method with all people around you who are experiencing a similar transfer need online:

Method 2. Apply File Explorer Settings

The methods for moving User Profile folders to another drive may vary due to different operating systems, so make sure you follow the right guide here:

#1. How to Move User Profile to Anther Drive in Windows 10, Windows 11

In the below steps, we will set "moving user folder from C to D" with the help of File Explorer settings as an example:

Step 1. Open File Explorer.

Step 2. Go to the new location you want to save your data.

Step 3. Click "New Folder" and name it Documents, Music, Downloads, Pictures, Videos.

Step 4. Navigate to C drive.

Step 5. Right-click the folder you want to move, then click "Properties" on the drop-down menu.

Step 6. Choose the "Location" tab > Click the "Move..." button > Choose a new file location on D drive.

Step 7. Choose the newly created folder on the D drive, and click "Select Folder" > On the Properties window, click OK to apply.

Step 8. Click Yes.

#2. How to Move User Folder to Another Drive in Windows 7:

Step 1. Type "View advanced system settings" on the search box and click to open.

Step 2. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab > In the "User Profiles" section, click the "Settings..." button.

Step 3. On the User Profiles window, click the profile you want to move. And click the "Copy To..." button.

Step 4. Browse to choose a file location and click "OK".

Method 3. Use Registry Editor

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box. Type "regedit" and click OK.

Step 2. Go to the path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Step 3. Right-click files and choose the "Modify..." option.

Step 4. Input a new location and restart your PC.

Bonus Tip: Transfer User Profile from One Computer to Another

If you are looking for a way to transfer a user profile to a new PC directly. You can use the professional PC transfer tool - EaseUS Todo PCTrans. It enables you to user accounts in 1 click, including User Account Settings, User Data, Personalization, and Power Options.

Download the software right now:

Step 1. Install and launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both two devices. On the source PC, select "PC to PC" to continue.

Step 2. Select the transfer direction - as an Old PC or a New PC.

Then, on the new PC, select "Transfer directly" and click "Next" to continue. 

Select "Network" and click Next to continue. This will automatically scan the old PC. (Make sure the two PCs are connected to the same LAN.)

Select the target PC and click Connect. Then, it will take some time to scan and analyze the data in old PC.

Step 3. Click at the "Accounts" section to specify User Accounts and Settings for transferring.

Step 4. Enter the user account and password of the source computer, select the User Account Settings, User Data and other settings that you want to transfer. 

Step 5. After selection, click "Transfer" to start to transfer user accounts and settings.

If you feel like the above-provided methods for moving the User Profile folder to the target location on your PC, feel free to share this tutorial article to help more of your friends online:

To Sum Up

In this article, we've listed three ways to move user profiles to another drive and one solution for migrating user folders to another PC. To save time and prevent your computer from data loss, we recommend the data transfer software - EaseUS Todo PCTrans to assist you in moving User Profile folders to the desired location instantly.

Pick the workable solution according to your preference! If you have any questions, contact [email protected].

FAQs About Transfer User Profile to A New Drive or New PC

Here, we found some hot topics about transferring the User Profile folder. If you are interested in, follow and find answers here:

1. Can I move the User Profile to a new drive for free?

Yes, sure. Changing the location of your User Profile on a Windows computer can be free, and all you need is to turn to reliable methods, as provided on this page above. You can use EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free or Windows built-in tools like File Explorer or Registry Editor to execute the operation.

2. What is the easiest way to move the User Profile to another computer in Windows Server 2012?

On Windows Server computers, if the user profiles are large and important, we suggest you use reliable PC transfer software - EaseUS Todo PCTrans Enterprise for help. It aims to assist Windows Server owners in migrating and moving all desired data, programs, and even account settings to the desired location disk or a new Server computer with success. 

For a step-by-step guide, you may follow this guide for help: Migrate User Profile to New Server. 

3. What should I do when the Windows 10 copy user profile option is greyed out?

When you can't copy the user profile on your Windows PC, and it's greyed out, the causes for this error could be various. To get rid of this issue, you can first:

• First, switch your user account, reboot your PC, and log in with your administrator account.
• Turn to EaseUS Todo PCTrans and transfer your User Profile to the target location.
• Then, you can go back to the computer C drive location and delete the old folder.