I'd like to move C:\Users\<me>\appdata\local to a larger drive. When I examine the Properties of appdata\local, there is a Location tab that offers the ability to relocate the folder. But when I attempt to use the Location tab to change the location, it copies a bunch of files to the new location but gets an error for some files in use by the system. And when it's done, those errors prevent it from redirecting to the new location. Is there a way to work around this error? Otherwise, why does the Location tab offer a way to move the folder, if using it is bound to fail?

Talks about Vista, but the same can be done with Windows 7. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=215, more info http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722177(WS.10).aspx(Yes, the C:\Users\<username>\AppData folder DOES have the "Location | Move" option, but it does not work as files are locked by the system.)http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949977MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

Talks about Vista, but the same can be done with Windows 7. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=215, Thanks, but that method also failed, getting the same error when it tried to move system-locked files (such as usrclass.dat).

We cannot move it. If you want to redirect the location of the whole profile, please refer cdobbs’ second suggestion. You need to reinstall the system with an unattended installation based on an configured unattended.xml file. Arthur Xie - MSFT

Come on now, how do you expect MS & friends to be able to monetize our private data if we start moving it around to places they don't expect to find it?! The most essential user info will remain on C:/ one way or another (notwithstanding the redundancy of A:/ & B:/ floppy drives). You could install Windows on a different (/nominated) disk to begin with, but is it really worth the effort? NO user is ultimately "private" on any popular OS.