how can i move the apple backup folder to a secondary hard drive in windows?

Hello, I am a windows 10 user, and the backups take a lot of space if not using the cloud. It uses a directory called "Mobilesync" in windows. Windows users can use some different commands to redirect windows to a secondary hard drive. I believe that I used a specific way to redirect a windows directory to that hard drive before, but I do not know what it was. Some research has said to use a mklink command in an elevated command prompt, but if it is not done correctly, it seems to me that it may put the backups possibly not in an Apple directory in that other hard drive. I would like to know if any Windows users know how to do this. It does not need to be the mklink command, and if you know how, possibly the alternative command. I believe I did use one before, and that may have been in the properties of the shortcut. However, if someone knows how to redirect windows specifically so I can put the backups into the other hard drive, and restore from the previous backups there, it would be appreciated. thanks.

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on May 1, 2023 1:33 PM

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May 2, 2023 9:07 PM in response to JoshuaCM

Hello, I am following up here. If somebody has done this, I have tried the following:

How to Change Your iPhone Backup Location on Windows 10 (makeuseof.com)

There is an example that shows the user moving from one drive to another when there is not an appdata folder.

This is what I have tried to do from the command prompt, but it cannot find the file path. I have renamed the old backup folder, kept the numeric backup, but copied the numeric backup to the secondary drive into the new backup directory. If anyone knows about how to do this correctly, please advise.

May 4, 2023 11:07 AM in response to JoshuaCM

I am requesting that somebody please follow up here that can.

I have followed the above links, as well a this: Make a split library portable - Apple Community


I tried to do that, and it said that i cannot create a file that already exists.

i tried to do research, but I cannot figure it out. some sites say to rename the old directory, and some say delete things. There is this page: MKlink question - Windows 10 Forums (tenforums.com)

But there are different opinions from my perception. Some say do not rename the file, or delete all the old files. I cannot understand this information. Please advise. I have not yet been able to redirect this link or "junction" them successfully. I want to get Windows to be thinking it needs to direct to the other drive, so that also Itunes will then backup to that other drive. Assistance is appreciated.



Question marked as Helpful

May 6, 2023 1:16 PM in response to JoshuaCM

See Relocate iOS device backups. Review the rest of the Make a split library portable user tip for advice on organizing the library on external storage.


You will get the "cannot create a file that already exists" error if you haven't moved/renamed the old Backup folder on your system drive before you run the MkLink command.


tt2

how can i move the apple backup folder to a secondary hard drive in windows?

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