I have been facing this problem ever since I started my Business. There would be a problem at my clients' place. I would go there to find some problem like boot problem, virus issue, OS file corruption, Registry error etc., where I have to completely format the C: drive but I couldn't do that just because my client's files would be sitting on the Desktop or the My Documents folder in C: drive. Of course I would try to repair the Windows installation and then boot into Windows and try to solve this issue. But this procedure would not help always particularly when the computer is infected with a virus or if the hard disk has a partition level problem.
I am then forced to take this hard disk to my office and connect it to my computer and take a data backup and take it back to install Windows. I would do this happily when I had sufficient manpower and time with me. But when I had problems in these two valuable things, it will be such a pain to take a hard disk back and forth just for a data backup.
I am then forced to take this hard disk to my office and connect it to my computer and take a data backup and take it back to install Windows. I would do this happily when I had sufficient manpower and time with me. But when I had problems in these two valuable things, it will be such a pain to take a hard disk back and forth just for a data backup.
I started to advise my clients to keep their data safe by not saving their files in My Documents or Desktop. Not all the them will be religiously following it. When they call us the next time for an issue like what I said above, I will have to take the hard disk to my office. Why doesn't Microsoft ask the user where to keep their files after the setup is completed?
Then I did this small trick at one of my client's place after (taking the hard disk to my office, taking the file backup and then) installing Windows. As usual this person asked me what she should do to prevent all this mess and whether she should not save anything to the C: drive. I said to her not to worry about it and asked her to continue saving her files in the Desktop and My Documents. She said o.k and didn't even ask me what I did. Then I understood that this is how clients are and how they saw the Computer. We want to use a device to complete our task. The easier it is to use the gadget, more we use it.
Now let me explain what I did to solve this issue.
Warning: Please do this at your own risk. It worked for me always. But be careful as there might be a risk of data loss if don't do this properly.
1. After Installing Windows,go to
For Windows XP C:\Documents and Settings\xxxx
For Windows Vista and 7 C:\Users\xxxx.
Where xxxx is the your User-Name
2. Select the folders Desktop, My Documents in Windows XP. In Vista and 7 Select the folders Documents, Desktop, Videos, Music, Downloads, Contacts.
3. Right Click the Selected folders and then Click Cut (Ctrl + X).
Warning: Don't click copy.
Warning: Don't click copy.
4. Now go to My Computer and Select any drive other than your C: drive (Prefer the Last Partition).
5. Create a new folder in it and name it something like "Documents and Settings" or "My files(dont delete)" .
6. Now Right Click the Folder and click Paste(Ctrl + V). The files will be moved to the New location.
When you do this Windows redirects all its pointers for the Desktop and My Documents to the new location automatically.
7. Now go to the Desktop or the My Documents folders and Check if your files are intact.
Do these steps in your PC and Keep your data safe. The next time you call me for a Virus issue all I have to do is a Windows Installation from your Windows Disc.
Bye for now.
