Centralizing user data folders in a dual-boot Windows 11 configuration

I just built a new computer and I've setup a dual-boot, both with Windows 11 Pro. One install is for normal computing, work, web surfing, whatever; basically anything I'm using my computer for that isn't gaming. The other is my gaming install and I will only install the bare minimum of apps and only things I need for gaming. I plan to keep that instance extremely lean, clean and organized. I pulled a spare 2 TB Samsung 970 Evo Plus out of my old computer and am going to use it as a bulk storage drive. I plan to move my user data folders there. My question is, can I have the user data folders from both Windows 11 installations point to the same location on this drive and share them between both installs? It would just be much cleaner if I could keep everything in one location, rather than having two documents folders, two pictures folders, two video folders, etc.

I should mention that I'm obviously not talking about AppData or any other more important system like directory. I speaking mainly of Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Saved Games, Videos.

Thanks.

There is possibly an easier way, that I am not aware of. But I would tell Windows in the second install, to point to the user folders in the first install.

This tutorial works for all user folders, just change the folder your working on for each process… Documents, Downloads etc. However I think there is a tutorial for all folders, I just can’t find it. But as I said, this process can be used on any user folder. As I am not too savvy, it’s how I would do it.

I don't know why you just don't add a secondary user on the same Windows install. Gaming user, business user or whatever.

BamaInArk said:

I don't know why you just don't add a secondary user on the same Windows install. Gaming user, business user or whatever.

Click to expand...

It would certainly make more sense and save a lot of space and hassle.

I don't see why you couldn't make the folders you want on the second drive and point your programs to those folders. For example, Make a folder on the second drive called My Documents and have both Windows install use that folder. I wouldn't use the move my User folder to do this. As I see it you would just have to point all of your programs to the folders you made. For example if you were using MS Word you could make the folder you created for your documents as the default save location. I have never tried it but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

bfollowell said:

can I have the user data folders from both Windows 11 installations point to the same location on this drive

Click to expand...

Yes you can. I would create a partition for my user folders. Then use these tutorials on both installs to move the location of your user folders.
NOTE: THIS IS ASSUMING THAT THE USER OF BOTH INSTALLS IS A LOCAL ACCOUNT. If you login using a Microsoft account,documents, desktop, pictures, videos default to have a location of Onedrive. That be the case, on either installation you would first have to deal with Onedrive.

Move Default User Folders TO ANOTHER DRIVE-Brink’s tutorials(with screenshots)

Use Option #1 or #2 in tutorials to move your personal folders to a new location. The bat file method is easiest but then you have to manually move the files yourself.

Desktop- Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Documents- Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Pictures - Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Downloads - Move or Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Music - Move or Restore Default Location of Music Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Videos - Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Searches - Move or Restore Default Location of Searches Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Saved Games - Move or Restore Default Location of Saved Games Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

BamaInArk said:

I don't know why you just don't add a secondary user on the same Windows install. Gaming user, business user or whatever.

Click to expand...

Mainly because a normal use computer that you're constantly installing and uninstalling programs on has a tendency to get itself extremely cluttered and bloated and it slows things down regardless of which user is logged in and it defeats the purpose of the reason I setup a separate gaming install to keep clean and uncluttered in the first place. I'm not overly concerned with 60 or 70 extra GB taken up by another Windows install for my gaming. Using the same user folders on another drive is more about organization than it is saving space.

bfollowell said:

Using the same user folders on another drive is more about organization than it is saving space.

Click to expand...

I totally agree. I've always kept my user files on a different drive than my system drive and I am big on organization and consistency.

In my case, it's a little different that dual boot. I have my main computer and my old Windows 10 computer I use as a backup computer. It's also my Plex Server. My user folders are on one external drive connected to a switch that I use to switch my monitor, mouse, keyboard and the drive between computers if I ever want to use the backup PC.
On both systems, the default location of my user folders is the external drive.

The drive is also set up as a shared drive from both ends so I can access files from any computer in the house no matter which system I have the drive switched to. Having one drive between 2 systems makes sense for me to stay organized but also to keep my brain straight that I know my user folders are always exactly the same. Doing it this way I have to make images of only one user drive.

I can also utilize RDP if necessary.
Might seem unnecessary for some who are big into using the cloud, but it works for my purposes. I like having all my data local. But that's just me.

Thanks to those of you that responded with the tutorials. It's pretty much the exact same as it was with Windows 10. Thanks guys! I appreciate it.