don't see junction created

copy and pasting this to change backup location for Itunes on Windows 10


cmd mklink /J "C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup"


Is that correct?


Yes... the 0's are intentional so this folder shows up at the top of my folder list. long story. ha


After copy and pasting to "shell".... I do not see "junction created"


I don't get an error message... but don't see junction created


Any thoughts anyone?

thanks in advance

Windows

Posted on Jan 1, 2024 12:37 PM

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Posted on Jan 3, 2024 8:32 AM

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/secondary storage.


Hmm, I don't think the command should start with cmd.


Does the folder C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup exist before you start? It shouldn't. Does the folder F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup exist? It should. After the command you should see what appears to be a folder at C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup and its content should be whatever is in F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup.


I normally use ! to force a first folder.


tt2

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Jan 3, 2024 8:32 AM in response to ronfromwest hollywood

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/secondary storage.


Hmm, I don't think the command should start with cmd.


Does the folder C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup exist before you start? It shouldn't. Does the folder F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup exist? It should. After the command you should see what appears to be a folder at C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup and its content should be whatever is in F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup.


I normally use ! to force a first folder.


tt2

Jan 9, 2024 11:26 AM in response to ronfromwest hollywood

What is the format of the external drive you're trying to connect to? It should be NTFS, and you, and SYSTEM, need read and write access to it.


The folder Backup at C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync must not exist before you create the junction, or it cannot be made. Once you've made the junction it should appear to exist. You can create a new text file in it using the context menu in Windows Explorer, then visit F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup and see the same file and view its contents. It should appear in both locations, but only takes up physical space on the F: drive.


tt2

Jan 4, 2024 3:45 AM in response to ronfromwest hollywood

Ah, I think I see some of what is going on. You're entering a command in PowerShell that in turn sends an instruction to the command prompt, but it is possibly that doesn't provide any feedback on screen, nor pass any back to the PowerShell. Instead of using PowerShell type "cmd" in the Start Menu and press enter to open a command prompt window. Now use the command (without the leading "cmd " this time):


mklink /J "C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup"


and you should get to see any success or failure response


tt2

Jan 12, 2024 12:02 AM in response to ronfromwest hollywood

ronfromwest hollywood wrote:

...but...
the backup file is also still in the C drive original folder. I checked properties and it's the full 60g phone backup.


As it should be. As I said before:


It should appear in both locations, but only takes up physical space on the F: drive.


The junction ensures that iTunes can read and write the files using the path embedded in the program. As far as iTunes is concerned the data is on the C: drive where it expects it to be. The NTFS junction is responsible for redirecting all the requests to the F: drive so that storage space is only consumed on that volume.


tt2

Jan 3, 2024 8:50 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for your comments. The "split" article is just over my head. It confuses me. But thanks for your efforts.

I know you know what you're talking about. :-))


From my perspective I have followed other people's directions as to how to create a new backup folder on an external drive.... but it's not working and I don't know why. That's why I typed exactly what I have entered into the Power Shell window. You mention that maybe the "cmd" shouldn't be there. I deleted that and got this on screen: The term 'mklink' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.


When I look at people's instructions for creating this backup drive folder... it looks so simple on paper...but it's not working.


When I copy and paste into Shell...I get no error message...but also don't see "junction created"...... here's what happens:

C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup>cmd mklink /J "C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "F:\0000000000 Itunes Backup"

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3803]

(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Jan 8, 2024 2:32 PM in response to turingtest2

Sorry to say... I'm back. IF you can help me get thru this... can I send you an Amazon gift card as a gesture of Thanks?

I realize that since you're not sitting at my computer.... this is likely challenging for you.


So... as mentioned previously... the junction worked. Supposedly.

Later that day I tried to back up my Iphone to that new external drive backup folder. (via the junction process)


A couple things happened.

1) as soon as I plug in my Iphone to my PC usb (as always).... Itunes says on the screen....."Ron's Iphone cannot be backed up. An Unknown error occurred, -54"


I click on "backup" anyway.... and it goes thru a 30 minute process of seeming to be backing up the phone to the PC and transferring chosen songs from the PC to the Iphone. It does transfer the songs to the Iphone...but....


AFTER the backup procedure... a new message on screen says...."Iphone could not be backed up. No space on drive" (paraphrasing).


But... weirdly.... when I open Windows Explorer to look inside folders...there IS a new backed up file in the ORIGINAL folder on the C drive.... In other words... the "junction" did not work..... the NEW folder on the external drive that should contain the backup is empty.


Even though Itunes says it did not back up to the PC..... it did... but it's in the original folder.


Any ideas?

thanks in advance

Ron

Jan 11, 2024 1:43 PM in response to ronfromwest hollywood

Good news...and still a glitch.

Finally.... created new Junction...and it worked in that my Iphone backup file IS on the external drive...

but...

the backup file is also still in the C drive original folder. I checked properties and it's the full 60g phone backup.


Before I did the command prompt entry.... I made sure that there was no folder called BACKUP in the C drive ...


There was this on my C drive:

C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync (no BACKUP folder)

and then my external drive had this folder: D:\Itunes Backup


Here's the command prompt entry:

C:\Users\Ron>mklink /J

"C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup"

"D:\Itunes Backup"


and this result:

Junction created for

C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup <<===>>

D:\Itunes Backup


thank you.

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