tags: Windows 7 tips, separate data and system files, organize libraries, save documents on another drive, preparation for SSD, Windows 7 Libraries
This is my attempt at telling people to STOP putting everything on their drive C. Of course, every one has their own way of organizing things – this is my way. Lol.
And, this is just one of the many ways to help you organize your Windows 7 PC.
It’s really good to separate your personal data files (documents, pictures, movies) from your system files (Windows OS files), especially these days when those files could easily grow to unmanageable amount.
In my case, i’ve always separated my system drive (where Windows resides, normally drive C) and my data drive/s (where all my personal files are saved). It’s a habit that i’ve developed since the early days of Windows 98SE. Can anyone still remember that OS?
It used to be quite a task to do that, but with Windows 7 (don’t know about Windows 8 though) – it’s just a breeze.
Why do it?
Here are some of the reasons i can think of right now:
1. If you want to secure (a bit more) your personal files in-case your OS becomes troubled (i.e. virus, crash, corruption)
2. If you have a larger storage (a second drive, a second partition or even an external drive).
3. If you want to backup just your system files (or just your personal files)
4. If (like me) your planning to move your system to an SSD. woot woot.
5. If you want to make a better organization of your data (easier to find, manage and even share your files).
6. If you want to tinker and tweak your PC (like a hobby).
7. You just have too much time in your hands.
I promise you, it won’t hurt.
What you need.
Before anything else, this tip is practically useless if you only have 1 drive! So, the first requirement is get a second one OR at least setup a new partition.
note: You can actually set it up using just a single drive with a single partition, but the point of this post is for people to stop putting all their files in drive C (or their OS drive).
So, how to do it?
1. Open up Windows Explorer. For the complete newbies, here’s how:
- On your keyboard, press Windows Key and ‘E’
- OR Click Start –> Computer
- OR On your desktop, double-click the Computer icon
2. Open the drive where you want to put your personal files.
Just select the drive you want on the left panel under ‘Computer’.
Create your new folders in that location (on the right-panel, right-click and select ‘New –> Folder’).
Name your folders according to the type of files you want to put in them, like so:
I suggest that you don’t put these folders in an external drive since you might remove them without setting things up properly. But of course, it’s your choice.
3. On the left pane again, you’ll see the list of “Libraries”
If you’ve been using Windows for quite sometime now, you’ll know that these libraries point to the collection of your personal files.
Right-click on one of the libraries and click ‘Properties’
Let’s start with “Documents”
4. On the Properties Page, you’d usually just see a “My Documents (C:\Users\Your_User_Name)” in there.
This is where your files are located and saved.
Now, click on the “Include Folder..” button and browser for the folder that we’ve just created at Step 2. 
Click on “Include folder” button after browsing.
Once you’re back at the “Properties” page, click on “Set save location”. You will now have something like this: 
There should be a check mark next to the folder we just added.
For documents, this should be okay for now.
5. Repeat steps 4-5 for every library you want to setup.
Do the above for Media, Music, Pictures, Videos as well.
You also have the option of removing the old folders from the list.
For our example, in the “Documents” page, select “My Documents (C:\Users\Your_User_Name)” and then click “Remove”.
The most important part for this is adding your new folder AND setting it as the “save location”.
That’s it!
You may add more than one folder in your libraries but you can only set 1 save location.
Make sure that this location would be on your selected location not the default one that Windows’ selected for you.
You don’t really need to reboot, but i suggest that you do since some applications might need it when loading.
special note: this would apply to Windows 7, it’s a little bit more complicated on earlier versions.
This also would not apply to Macs (OSX), now that’s a different story all together. Lol.
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