I got a shiny new Mac Mini but couldn't afford a 1TB internal SSD to hold all my stuff, so I'm testing ways to leverage an external disk for user storage. I know I can point Photos and iTunes to libraries on the external drive, but I'm more interested in transparently locating the entire home folder on the external drive.
On Windows 10, each account has a set of default folders that allow users to save and organize their files, including documents, pictures, downloads, and other data on the device.
However, over time, depending on your usage, the folders can grow in size significantly, and if you have a computer with limited storage using a different location (for example external hard drive or partition) can help to avoid running out of space on the system drive, which can be an issue when it comes the time to install new releases of Windows 10 or a new application. Also, you never want to use a device with a drive at capacity as it can affect system performance.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to move the default user account folders to a different drive or partition.
How to change default user folders on Windows 10Mac Os X Move Home Folder To External Drive
To move the default user account folders to a new storage location, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the default account folders will move to the new location, and future files will save in this location by default.
Although moving folders one at a time introduces additional steps, you'll avoid potential problems, which may be something that could happen while moving the main account folder.
Restoring default folder location
If you change your mind, you can revert the changes for the folder location using these steps:
After you complete the steps, the account folder will relocate to its original location. You may need to repeat the steps to restore the remaining folders to their previous location.
Changing default save location on apps
The only caveat about this process is that it'll not change the default save locations for some apps. For example, if you use the Edge, Chrome, or Firefox, these browsers will continue to use the original path to try and save files.
If you want to avoid problems, it's recommended to change the default save location for these and other apps (if applicable). Here's an example changing the settings on Microsoft Edge:
Once you complete the steps, future files will download to the new location by default in the new storage.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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File handling on a Mac isn’t particularly tricky. For example, if sharing your files between PCs and smartphones is a skill you need to learn, learning to move files on Mac is an easy intuitive process.
Normally, you’d just select the file you’d like to move using the cursor, and then drag and drop it to the location of your choice. However, depending on your desired destination, your Mac can either copy or move that file altogether.
Here we’ll take you through all the different methods of file handling on a Mac, including moving them on the same and to a different drive, and moving and copying your files to the cloud.
How To Move And Copy Files On The Same Mac Drive
Understanding the way the file handling system works in Mac OS will help you make your workflow more efficient. Once you learn the different ways of moving the files around, backing up files on your Mac will become effortless.
Let’s start with the most basic move when it comes to file handling. Drag and drop a file on the same drive on your Mac. When you do that, your computer will automatically move that file rather than make a copy of it.
If your goal is to keep the file in its original location, as well as have a copy of it in the new destination folder, you’ll need to use this keyboard trick to do it.
You’ll see that instead of moving the file, your Mac will automatically copy it to the new destination folder. Now you can see that two identical files exist on your computer.
How To Transfer Files To a Different Drive
The default file handling behaviour of your Mac changes when you transfer files between the Macintosh HD and another drive. No matter whether it’s an external or an internal drive, the system’s automatic response is to copy a file rather than move it. That’s because your Mac assumes you’re backing up your files.
If you want to only keep the newly created copy of your file, you can trash the original to remove it. Or you can use this trick to move your file to another drive in the first place instead of copying it.
Before you drag and drop your file, hold down the Cmd (Command) key when you select the file. After you drop it in the new destination, you’ll see there’s only one file on your computer now. This saves you time and memory space.
How To Move And Copy Files From Mac To iCloud
If you’re choosing to transfer and store your files online, it’s important to know that your Mac is equipped with a great alternative for services like Google Drive, DropBox, and others. iCloud Drive is a built-in option that you can use to store and access your files by other iOS devices under the same Apple ID. Plus, since it’s already a part of your Mac, it doesn’t require any third-party logins or downloads.
Mac Os Folder Icons
Moving and copying files to and from the iCloud Drive is just as easy as transferring your files elsewhere on your Mac.
When you drag and drop a file from Macintosh HD to the iCloud, your computer’s default response will be to move it there.
If you want to keep the original file, as well as have a copy of it on the iCloud Drive, hold down the Option key (or Alt) on the keyboard while moving the file to its new location. That way, you will copy your file to iCloud.
Use The File Handling Keyboard ShortcutsMac Os Move User Folder To External Drive Mac
A great way to upgrade your user experience and to become a more efficient Mac user is to learn the essential Mac keyboard shortcuts. When it comes to file handling, there are two keyboard shortcuts that will quickly turn you into a power user.
The ultimate keyboard shortcut that most users will have known since day one of using a computer. You can use it to copy and paste any file anywhere on your Mac without touching your mouse or a touchpad.
This shortcut is a little less-known. Just add the Option key to the second part of the copy-paste action and you will move your file to the new destination instead of creating a copy of it.
File Handling Made Easy
Moving your files on Mac is rather simple. Once you understand how it works, you can move on to learning how to move files between different devices. A useful skill when you need to migrate files from Windows PC or transfer your data from Android to Mac.
Have you struggled moving files to and from your Mac before? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
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