[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

Yep, that's pretty much it.

some files will be in use and you will not be able to touch the folder.

No, the reason is because Vista will NOT give you the necessary permissions, regardless whether the folder is in use. Only 'trusted installers' have access to the folder, and I don't know if those trustee rights are enough. It's vista DRM at it's finest Same reason why you can't replace c:\windows\system32\notepad.exe

Also change these keys:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\shell folders

The names are self explanatory.

One last comment. If you are using vista x64, you have to edit the WoW6432Node registry mirrors too.

wng

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

No, other NT operating systems only understand hard links and junctions (not true symlinks)

And hard links don't let you jump across drive letters, thus I had to use junctions. (trust me I tried everything to make it work )

and other OS's don't have the tools to make junctions by default. They are in the SDK, and I didn't feel like downloading anything. Since I already had Vista installed.... I just used it.

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

This is what I did:

1. I installed vista.

2. On the desktop, right click and make a shortcut

3. In the path type in CMD

4. Hit next until the shortcut is made

5. Right click and hit run as admin

6. type in cd..

7. keep doing that until you are at c:\

8. type in

mklink /d /j "Program Files1" "D:\This is the new location for my program files"

Repeat for the other directories you want to move.

ex:

mklink /d /j "Users" "F:\coolest people ever"

Then boot into another operating system. I used Bart PE.

Move the c:\program files folder to D:\This is the new location for my program files"

Then rename ProgramFiles1 to ProgramFiles

Boot into Vista

If you want, you can now make symbolic links to your files instead of junctions.

Since c:\program files is actually a junction, you can delete it without trouble.

the code for a symbolic link is the same thing without the /j switch:

mklink /d "Program Files" "D:\This is the new location for my program files"

Now you can change these registry settings if you want:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

and

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\shell folders

wng

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

bah forget it.

I just installed the regular way and then used symbolic links.

Works now

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

Ok, I tried this:

It installed, and now I have my two drives, BUT they just have folders in them (no files)

Also, on the partition where I installed vista, there is a users folder and a program files folder (filled)

any ideas?

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">

<settings pass="oobeSystem">

<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">

<FolderLocations>

<ProfilesDirectory>f:\</ProfilesDirectory>

<ProgramData>p:\</ProgramData>

</FolderLocations>

</component>

</settings>

<settings pass="windowsPE">

<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">

<DiskConfiguration>

<Disk wcm:action="add">

<ModifyPartitions>

<ModifyPartition wcm:action="modify">

<Active>false</Active>

<Extend>false</Extend>

<Format>NTFS</Format>

<Label>vista F drive</Label>

<Letter>F</Letter>

<Order>1</Order>

<PartitionID>2</PartitionID>

</ModifyPartition>

<ModifyPartition wcm:action="modify">

<Order>2</Order>

<Active>false</Active>

<Extend>false</Extend>

<Format>NTFS</Format>

<Label>vista P drive</Label>

<Letter>P</Letter>

<PartitionID>3</PartitionID>

</ModifyPartition>

</ModifyPartitions>

<DiskID>0</DiskID>

<WillWipeDisk>false</WillWipeDisk>

</Disk>

<WillShowUI>Always</WillShowUI>

</DiskConfiguration>

</component>

</settings>

<cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:p:/vista/vista_x64/sources/install.wim#Windows Vista ULTIMATE" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />

</unattend>

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

Ok, thanks. So I should just make a ton of dummy partitions to force the ones I want to be f and p?

nope, you can specify the letters you want. just change D, E or F to anything you want, like:

<ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">

<Active>false</Active>

<Label>Programs</Label>

<Letter>P</Letter>

<Order>2</Order>

<PartitionID>2</PartitionID>

<Format>NTFS</Format>

<Extend>false</Extend>

</ModifyPartition>

careful using the format option, it will erase the selected partition.

if you don't know your partitionID, just take a look at your disk's partitions in computer management.

my program files registry edition works. feel free to try it.

footswitch

Ok thanks!

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

wng_z3r0, things that you should be careful / know about:

If you have changed drive letters using Device Manager, they won't be the actual drive letters for Vista when you install Vista by booting DVD. So make sure your F:\ is actually F:\ and P:\ is really P:\

When you install Vista via DVD to a partition, that partition will be C:\ therefore all other partition letters will increment by one character.

Ok, thanks. So I should just make a ton of dummy partitions to force the ones I want to be f and p?

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

A good idea, but the xml files I have seen on this thread are for x86, and there is there one that works for program files?

[Unattended Vista with Multiple Partitions]

Hi all!

Because of my msdn subscription, I have Vista x64 RTM (any version, but I am using ultimate right now)

I want to have my userprofile on my f:\ drive and my programfiles on my p:\ drive

I am willing to test out an XML file, but there's 1 caveat. I only have 1 dvd disc left. I would prefer to NOT have to buy more.

Here's how I want it laid out:

vista gets installed on disk0, partition 2 (where 1 is the first partition)

(I want to keep my xp 64 bit on partition 1 for now)

user profiles gets installed on disk0, partition 3

program files gets installed on disk1, partition 3

It is absolutely important that the other partitions do NOT get messed with.

wng

edit:

here is an image of my drive system: