Relocate itunes backup files in win 11 to another drive

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Relocate itunes backup files in win 11 to another drive

I followed the instructions on this link but did not work.

Relocate Backup Files on Windows 11 - Apple Community

I have a Dell XPS desktop computer. Not sure if it came with Itunes or I had to download. The backup folder is under C:\Users\a number here and not my name\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync so assume the Apple Computer folder indicates Itunes was installed from the Apple App Store?

I tried both in the Command Prompt and iTunes still uses the C;/ Drive Apple Computer / MobileSync / Backup folder.

for Apple AppStore MkLink /J "%AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\MobileSync\Backup"

for Microsoft Store MkLink /J "%UserProfile%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\MobileSync\Backup"

What am I doing wrong? Thanks.

iPhone 12

Posted on Sep 14, 2025 9:13 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

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277,913 points

Sep 14, 2025 10:04 AM in response to iPhoneOnt

A junction or symbolic link makes the operating system treat a redirected folder as if it is in the location of the link, but actually use space elsewhere, typically on another drive. When you do this properly you will move the Backup folder from its original location to a new drive, so there will be no Backup folder in MobileSync, then when you issue the MkLink command the folder will appear again, but the physical storage will be on the target drive. If you don't move the Backup folder first the MkLink command will fail. Pay attention to any error message when you attempt to issue this command.

tt2

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Answer 2

iPhoneOnt Author

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22 points

Sep 14, 2025 8:48 PM in response to turingtest2

Think I solved it now. I renamed the D:\MobileSync to D:\back up MobileSync to keep it as a backup.

Then I redid the steps. Ceated a new D:\MobileSync folder.

Go to the C:\.....MobileSync\Data. Right click and Cut and then pasted it into D:\MobileSync

Pasted the appropriate symbolic link command line into the Command Prompt. This is for copies of iTune that had been downloaded from the Apple App Store (and not via the Microsoft Store).

MkLink /J "%AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\MobileSync\Backup"

Open iTunes

This time I see the C:\ .......MobileSync\Data folder has a curved pointer on the top-left corner of the folder.

This must be the symbolic link icon.

The time stamp on the file inside the D:\MobileSync\Data folder is the same as the file inside the C:\.......MobileSync\Data folder.

I will keep an eye on whether the C:\ will increase in size for future iPhone backups. Thanks again for your help.

PS. I still do not see the empty Txt message I recreated in the D:\MobileSync\Data folder duplicated in C:\.......MobileSync\Data

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

277,913 points

Sep 14, 2025 12:09 PM in response to iPhoneOnt

Use Windows Explore to browse to D:\MobileSync\Backup, right-click and use the New Text Document option to make a new empty text file, rename if you wish. Now look inside your the C:\..\MobileSync\Backup folder. Do you see the newly created text file? If so all is well, if not you've made a mistake somewhere. When it is working correctly the files essentially exist at both paths, but only consume space from the D: drive's storage. You can delete the text file once you've satisfied yourself that things are working as they should.

tt2

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Answer 4

iPhoneOnt Author

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22 points

Sep 14, 2025 11:13 AM in response to turingtest2

I created a Mobilesync folder at the root of the D: drive. I did the cut and paste moving the backup folder to my D: drive (at the root).

I then opened a Command Prompt and tried both of the commands lsited in your post linked above. At the time I wasn't sure if my iTunes was from the App store or Microsoft store. But under Users there is an Apple Computer fodler instead of an Apple folder so assume it is from the App Store otherwise I would see an Apple folder instead. Is this correct?

However, it did not delete the backup folder under the old Mobilesync folder on my C: drive. So it doesn't appear like the cut and paste worked. When I started iTunes to backup my iPhone, I can see the old backup folder on C: drive filling up again.

Any suggestions on how to correct this or what I may have done wrong?

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Answer 5

iPhoneOnt Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 15, 2025 2:29 PM in response to iPhoneOnt

GOT IT. You meant to place the .TXT file INSIDE the backup folder. YES, I see the TXT file duplicated in both places now. C: and D: Of course, I deleted the backup file name so I can post here for demonstration purposes only and for those who understand things better in a visual format.

Here is the Backup folder in the original C:\ location with the symbolic link icon on the folder. For those who did not understand, like me.

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