I want to rename a few of Xp's folders. I was wondering if anybody has tried it?
Is it (a) Leading towards Xp destruction and/or (
even possible to do without killing Xp.
Heres what I would like to rename.
Eg:
Windows -> SYSTEM (System Folder)
Program Files -> Applications
Documents and Settings -> Users
Etc...
Cheers.
You can change system folders (using different ones) using PowerToys, but I don't think that you'll be able to change your Windows dir to another one... If you really really need that tweak, then reinstall windows and choose "Advanced Options" and change the installation folder.
Good luck.
Thanks for the input Iceman. 
I've done alot of reading and research and found out that renaming windows once xp is 'installed' isn't really an option. Xp won't start. 
Ahwell, I'll format the box soon.
Your a champ.
Cheers.
Umm...which powertoy did you use?? TweakUI?? If so I can't find an option to rename either Documents & Settings or Program Files?? Where is it??
I found an option for Special Folders but that does not have an entry for either of these folders...
Siddharth
You can't rename program files without program errors.
You can't rename windows without a re-install.
You can rename Documents and settings but it's not really worth it.
Check out this warning: Microsoft strongly recommends against renaming any system folder. Catastrophic system failure or an unstable computer could result if you rename system folders. Hrmmmm
Anyway, Here's Something I found useful:
1. Log on to the computer as an administrator.
2. Create a new folder.
3. Open the current "Documents and Settings" folder.
4. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
5. Under Advanced settings click Show hidden files and folders, and then click to clear the Hide file extensions for known file types and Hide protected operating system files check boxes.
6. Click OK.
7. Click and drag to copy all the folders to the new folder, except for the currently logged on users folder.
8. In Control Panel, double-click System, and then click the User Profiles tab.
9. Copy the current user's profile to the new folder.
10. Click OK, close Control Panel, and then log off and log on to the computer as an administrator again.
11. In Registry Editor, click Find on the Edit menu.
12. Type documents and settings, and then click Find.
13. Replace the value data or rename the value or registry key to the new path for each and every registry key and value that contains the original path.NOTE: You must complete this change for every instance in the registry or your computer may not start. It is imperative that you update all registry keys and values with the new path.
14. Restart the computer.
15. You can now safely remove the original "Documents and Settings" folder.
Cheers.
It's probably better to set the hidden attribute option to the Documents and settings folder and linking it's content's into another folder. Ie: Users. Just a thought...
Cheers.
If it's hard to follow, copy a portion of text and add "" lines around the selected portion and paste it in google. It will come up with the information I found.
I began a fresh install of Windows XP, chose System as the folder, then used TweakUI and RegEdit to change all the system folders.
No errors, no issues.
My filesystem:
Applications
Desktop
Library
Installers
System
System Folder
Temporary Items
Users
May I ask how you accomplished that??
And what do each of these folders correspond to?? for example...what does Library correspond to in Windows??
Siddharth
I'm guessing that Library refers to the Windows/System or Windows/System32 folder...
I'm quite interested in this also
Duckie, do you think you could post some info on how exactly you went about renaming all of those folders? Like, the process, not just the program you used.
Basically, the main thing I want to know is how did you install Windows XP to C:\System instead of C:\Windows, because even though I've formatted my computer about every month I don't ever remember a choice on what directory to install it to.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Tanx Duckie. 
Your a champ! I had heaps of people telling me you couldn't rename program files or windows. -Iceman told me about windows install to system but the other information is great news. Looking forward to a responce or maybey a few ideas. Lol. Wink, wink.
Cheers
Heck yeah I figured it out on my own! Well, with the help of the internet I guess.
To change the install directory for Windows:
When you install Windows XP by booting from the Windows installation CD-ROM, Setup does not prompt you for the name of the destination installation folder or allow you to change the name of the destination installation folder.
The default installation folder is the \Windows folder. You cannot change the installation folder during Windows Setup except under the following circumstances:
The Windows or %SystemRoot% folder already exists.
You perform an unattended installation and specify the TargetPath= parameter in the answer file.
You run the Winnt32.exe file from a working copy of Windows XP and change the location in the Advanced Options settings.
Also, here is how you change the names of all the shell folders.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[start] [Run] [Regedit]
Registry Key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\UserShell Folders
Modify/Create the Value Name [Various Folder Names] according to the Value Data listed below.
Data Type: REG_SZ [string Value] // Value Name: Consult RegEdit for Folder Names
Value Data: [Move the folder to the new desired location using explorer, then edit the matching folder in RegEdit to reflect the new folder location]
Exit Registry and Reboot
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or read the howto here:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/change_the_loc...ial_folders.htm
Originally posted by Siddharth@Dec 15 2002, 02:28 PMMay I ask how you accomplished that??
And what do each of these folders correspond to?? for example...what does Library correspond to in Windows??
Siddharth
My filesystem:
Applications - Program Files
Desktop - Desktop
Library - System32
Installers - Downloaded programs and updates
System - Windows
System Folder - BasiliskII
Temporary Items - Temp
Users - Documents and settings
As for the rest, flyakite explained it in the above post...
Okay yes, I realize I found the information so you'd think that I wouldn't need to ask anymore questions. You'd think. But Duckie, how in the world did you rename "Program Files" and "system32"? TweakUI and the regedit tweak I found only change the names of stupid folders within your profile in "Documents and Settings". I installed Windows to SYSTEM but I have no idea how you changed those other two vital system folders. If you could help me out I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Originally posted by Duckie@Dec 15 2002, 05:39 PMI began a fresh install of Windows XP, chose System as the folder, then used TweakUI and RegEdit to change all the system folders.
No errors, no issues.
My filesystem:
Applications
Desktop
Library
Installers
System
System Folder
Temporary Items
Users
Hey Duckie!
Can you please post a tutorial wich registry keys must be changed to have such a filesystem like yours?
Thanks,
Cassiel
Originally posted by Cassiel@Jan 27 2003, 06:47 PMCan you please post a tutorial wich registry keys must be changed to have such a filesystem like yours?
There will be tutorials at aqua xp on how to do this as soon as the aquaxp board is up and running.
Cheers
Are You Crazy !!
Did I get your attention ???
Every program you install and every WindowsOS upgrade expects a certain structure of folders. While you may change the registry and do different tricks you will get into problems with anything new you install. Sooner or later you will have to re-install the System.
Don't fool yourself, and save yourself future headaches, unless you like to trip yourself and learn the bloody way. Do yourself a favor don't do it. Windows is Windows not a Mac. Hmmm ? then again I am not as saavy as Cassiel.
I have had no trouble. *None*, no windows, programs, or misc annotances yet.
*You will get proglems with anything new you install*
I haven't had any problems.
You are right, it does expect a certain structure. But it is flexable.
Cheers
If you install a Microsoft upgrade like patches for their software or new versions of components, or if you install an anti-virus program, or a WindowsOS repair program, or a Quicktime or Audio/Video program...you do not have any problems with these installations ? Is that what you are saying ?
yep.
You can change the recource fork for application and system dependencies and the default installation path for proggies. Ie: when you install a program it usually prompt's you to install to 'Program Files', you can change it to prompt you for 'Applications' because that is now set as the *default* installation path.
Cheers
What about when you go to Microsoft to upgrade System components ? any problems there ?
Originally posted by VideoMann@Jan 28 2003, 03:55 AMWhat about when you go to Microsoft to upgrade System components ? any problems there ?
i cant say cuz i havent done it yet (going to in the morning tho, goin 2 bed now), but i would imagine there wouldnt b much of a problem since those upgrades would refer to the dirs as %systemdir% and all that crap, not as /windows or /system
Originally posted by NAAAARRRRF+Jan 28 2003, 06:42 AM-->QUOTE(NAAAARRRRF @ Jan 28 2003, 06:42 AM)
well.... then I have nothing to say, although knowing how finicky Microsoft is , it sounds like asking for trouble but you guys tried it out and can testify to the stability after the changes.
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