I refined my information a bit more before beginning the move. On the same sevenforums.com site I found this question:

Having another bite at this after failing miserably first time around. I think I may have been confused about the distinction between special folders and libraries in Windows 7. In fact, I may still be. I'm finding this very difficult to get my head around!

What I would like to do is change the storage location of the files I save in the documents, pictures, music and video libraries. I think this may be a different thing to moving the actual location of the library folder itself....? Which I do not want to do. But I may still be hopelessly confused.

To reiterate I want to store my own files on a separate partition to the operating system by saving them in the libraries folders but changing the actual storage location of those library folders to D:/Files (or some such) rather then the default of C:/users/[username]. In XP I just used to right click My Documents and change location to D and viola, that's where XP stored all of my files when I saved them to My Documents. Simple.

I am still having trouble with this on Windows 7 and somehow managed to move a load of system folders (or the shortcuts to those folders - not sure which!) to my desktop. I have restored the defaults by using system restore.

Whilst am dual booting this separating operating system and my own files been a boon in that I can access all my files whether I am running XP (main system) or Windows 7. I think this may not have been possible if I had all my files stored on the C drive with the XP system as these folders seem to be locked when dual booting to Windows 7.

I hope this makes some sort of sense to someone !

Thanks in advance.

He is doing what I was doing when I first chose to place my data on a separate drive. On the computer that was stolen in 2005 I had put Win2000Pro in beside the flimsy Windows ME (a weak form of 98). I rarely used the ME side, but it was there to reach some of the programs that came with the computer and could operate some of the computer features. I haven't had to do that since, but it is good to know how.

Anyway, this is the brief answer. If you want the reassurance of the screen capture illustrations, look at that first link I supplied. Otherwise, here's a simple description:

It is actually quite simple.

I asume you are refering to special folders such as Documents, Pictures, Video, etc...

rightclick the special folder, chose properties, select the location tab, there you'll see the button to change the location.

But now the trick to avoid you getting double folder entries.

When you select a location let say d: and you click apply, you will be asked if you want to move the files that are present in the default forlder.

always chose yes, even if you think there's nothing in them.

That's it basically.

And it really is that simple.

Here is where someone described his experience of it a little more:

It makes perfect sense. I use an entirely separate drive for all of the special folders in both Vista and now Windows 7 - in fact, I used the same folders over and over again - so when I upgrade my OS using a clean install, all my downloads, pictures, music, documents, contacts, etc are all right back in the system with a minimal amount of editing.

To be honest, Libraries are a fancy way of symbolically linking to folders that already exist on your HD - it is just making it a lot easier to navigate to (or harder, depending upon your POV). I wasn't thrilled at first with libraries, but after realizing their potential, I made quick use of them - I have changed icons on existing libraries, as well as made several of my own - all with relevant icons as well. Now I have library access to several of my non-standard special folders.

But for you, you want to move the location of your "My Documents" folder and then have the library realize that you have moved it and refer to the new location for the Documents library. This is easy enough to accomplish.

This is the page where these quotes came from: http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/18147-moving-storage-location-libraries.html

SRS