Change system folders to a desired location

• Just a thought: Imagine if you were to clean-install the OS - You need to copy all your data in the OS partition(Desktop/My documents, etc.) to another partition/drive. If you could store data by default in another partition, it will save you the effort and time.
• Recommendation: Dedicate a partition completely to the OS and store data in another partition.
• Advantages:
• You don't need a spare drive to copy data in case you want to clean-install the OS.
• After reinstall, your PC looks pretty much the same.
• Your Desktop looks the same when you dual-boot to another OS (Customizations may be required in the other OS).
• Which folders are we talking about:
1. Desktop
2. My Documents, Music, Pics ...
• Initial steps:
1. Choose the partition under which you want to store files from now on.
2. Create a folder named "WindowsFolder" - This will be the folder under which everything will be stored.
3. Create sub-folders "Desktop", "My documents" etc. 

Note: If your PC has only one partition, you could use any partition software to create another partition. I recommend Partition wizard (Home edition). It's free and easy to use too.

• On Windows XP:

1. Download and install "Tweak UI".
2. Cut and paste all files from the Desktop into the folder that you are going to use as your Desktop folder ("WindowsFolder\Desktop").
3. Launch "Tweak UI".
4. On Tweak UI, navigate to My Computer->Special folders.
5. Choose "Desktop" from the drop down list and click "Change location".
6. Select the new folder ("~\WindowsFolder\Desktop") and click Apply.
7. Go to the Desktop and press F5.

          Repeat steps 1~6 for the the other folders.
          Note: If you link "My Documents" then "My Music" and "My Pictures" are linked automatically since these folders are in the "My Documents" folder.

• On Windows 7:
• Changing the Desktop folder:

1. Double click on My computer, right click on the "Desktop" folder that is on the left panel->Properties->Shortcut tab.
2. Change the path in the Target edit box to the new folder ("~\WindowsFolder\Desktop").
3. Press OK.
4. Windows will ask if you want to move the existing contents to the new folder. Click "Yes".
5. Go to the Desktop and press F5.

• Changing "My Documents" etc.:

1. Navigate to "C:\Users\"User-Name"
2. Right click on the "My Documents" folder->Properties->Location tab.
3. Change the path to "~WindowsFolder\My Documents".
4. Press OK.
5. Windows will ask if you want to move the existing contents to the new folder. Click "Yes".

              Repeat the process for the other folders (My Music/Pics, Downloads etc.).
              Note:

• The path has to be changed in the "Shortcut" or "Location" tab, whichever is available.
• If you prefer, you can change the location of the Application data folder - "C:\Users\"User-Name"\AppData\Local". For this to be visible have to be able to view hidden files and folders. Refer this link.