How to Move a Game Save Folder from OneDrive to Another Drive
Question details
The user wants to relocate a game's saved-data folder from the default OneDrive Documents directory to a different local drive.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Managing game save storage locations to avoid cluttering OneDrive and bypassing games that do not natively support changing their save paths.
- Observed behavior
- Games automatically create and recreate saved-data folders under the OneDrive Documents path even when the actual game is installed on a separate drive, leading to unwanted cloud syncing.
Before proceeding, completely close the game and create a backup copy of your game save folder to ensure no progress is lost during the move.
Create a Directory Junction using Command Prompt
Use the Windows Command Prompt to create a symbolic link (junction) that silently redirects the game's save path from OneDrive to your desired drive.
A directory junction acts as a seamless shortcut. It tricks your game into believing the save files are still in the default OneDrive Documents folder, while physically storing the data on your newly specified drive.
Locate the game's save folder in your OneDrive Documents directory. Cut the folder and paste it into your desired location on the new drive (for example, Drive D).
Click the Windows Start button, type 'cmd' in the search bar, right-click on 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.
In the Command Prompt, type the following command, replacing the paths with your actual original and new folder locations: mklink /J "C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Documents\GameFolder" "D:\NewLocation\GameFolder". Press Enter to create the junction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PC games keep saving to OneDrive?
Many games are programmed to save user data to the standard Windows 'Documents' folder. If you have OneDrive PC Folder Backup enabled, Windows automatically redirects your standard Documents folder to the OneDrive cloud directory, causing the games to save there by default.
Can I safely delete the directory junction later?
Yes. If you want to undo this setup, you can safely delete the junction shortcut in your OneDrive Documents folder just like a regular file. Deleting the junction will not delete the actual files stored on your secondary drive.
Will a directory junction affect my game's loading speed?
The directory junction itself has zero impact on performance. Your game's loading speed will solely depend on the read and write speeds of the secondary drive where you actually moved the files (e.g., an SSD will be faster than a traditional HDD).
Does this method work if the game is already installed on the D drive?
Yes. Even if the main game files are installed on Drive D, the game engine might still force save data to the C drive's Documents folder. Creating a directory junction bridges this gap, ensuring save data is also stored on Drive D.
