My goal is to get all Cakewalk related files off my C drive and onto a SSD drive with more disk space.
 
To do this, I'm considering moving all my Cakewalk-related directories to a different drive, and then setting up symlinks for them.  For example, I would move c:\Program Files\Cakewalk to f:\programs\Cakewalk and then create a symbolic link via this command: mklink /d "c:\Program Files\Cakewalk" "f:\programs\Cakewalk"
 
I'd do this for every "Cakewalk" directory on C, and I know there are several (some in program files, some in my users path)  While I'm at it, I'd also do this for my Native Instruments programs.
 
My concern is that Sonar Platinum might not "obey" the symlinks; it might detect that those directories on C are symbolic and might either fail to install, or install to the wrong place (or overwrite the symlinks with "real" folders).  Is that even possible?  Or is it safe to use symlinks as a way to ensure that all Cakewalk content gets stored on a different drive?
 
Also, which would be more appropriate: directory symlinks or junctions?

Thanks!

scook has made many posts about this type of thing in the past so I'm going to say yes.
 
Do a google search of the forum using "mklink" and "scook" and I bet you'll find a pile of those (extremely helpful) posts.
 
I have yet to set up such a scheme but would like to at some point.
 
Cheers.

Yes, I do it all the time without issues.
For example, I stick my most used Kontakt samples libraries on my boot SSD and create a junction to my sample drive.
 

gustabo
Yes, I do it all the time without issues.
For example, I stick my most used Kontakt samples libraries on my boot SSD and create a junction to my sample drive.

OP is not talking about sample libs, but program files, which have a lot more interaction with the O.S.  One tiny thing goes wrong with, say, an update, and good luck trying to troubleshoot that with files spread out all over the place.
 
Besides, not sure why anyone would bother with moving program files, as you're not going to gain back a lot of space.  Have you offloaded/redirected all of the sound data from your C: drive?  Also, audio/project files, and Command Center DLs... all of these are quite easy to manage on another drive (without any redirecting).
 
If you've already offloaded what you can from your system drive and are still low on space, then it's time to get a bigger drive.  Whether or not you go SSD is up to you and your wallet, but playing musical chairs with individual programs is just not a good idea IMO.
 
 

JonD, I was using the above as an example...
The C drive is full of junctions already, what do you think the My Documents folder is???

It is true that junctions/symlinks are already an intrinsic part of the Windows system, and that they can be reliably set up by the user. But it is also true that, while the applications generally do not, the user needs to keep track of these tweaks and the custom locations they point to, especially if there is trouble. The easy way to install and maintain an application is to buy a big drive and just let the installer put everything in the default location. Most of us have twiddled the default file locations for reasons of improved performance without making maintenance a headache, and anyone who has researched symbolic links can probably handle the customization. 

I have quite a few setup. They enable to me to store everything in Cakewalk/Sonar's default locations while putting the files my desired locations.

Originally I would manually enter the necessary instructions into the command prompt but then I found a little program called Link Shell Extensions that lets me do the whole procedure from the Windows right click menu.

Link here. http://schinagl.priv.at/n...inkshellextension.html

It's worked faultlessly for me.

JonD

gustabo
Yes, I do it all the time without issues.
For example, I stick my most used Kontakt samples libraries on my boot SSD and create a junction to my sample drive.

OP is not talking about sample libs, but program files, which have a lot more interaction with the O.S.  One tiny thing goes wrong with, say, an update, and good luck trying to troubleshoot that with files spread out all over the place.
 
Besides, not sure why anyone would bother with moving program files, as you're not going to gain back a lot of space.  Have you offloaded/redirected all of the sound data from your C: drive?  Also, audio/project files, and Command Center DLs... all of these are quite easy to manage on another drive (without any redirecting).
 
If you've already offloaded what you can from your system drive and are still low on space, then it's time to get a bigger drive.  Whether or not you go SSD is up to you and your wallet, but playing musical chairs with individual programs is just not a good idea IMO.
 
 

Sorry Jon your position seems based on fear rather than any specific knowledge about links.

For example: if I want to relocate all the data normally stored in the C:/ Cakewalk Content folder nothing really helps me when doing an installation or an update as Sonar will want to put a significant number of files into that folder tree. By using one link I can let Sonar continue to think that the folder is in its default location while the data (many many GB) is on another drive. The same works for plugins. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, my Sonar installation continues to appear as completely default (to Sonar) when in actuality it is anything but a default installation. No problems as all the files appear to be where they should be. This is actually what Windows does with many system folders.

mudgel

Sorry Jon your position seems based on fear rather than any specific knowledge about links.

For example: if I want to relocate all the data normally stored in the C:/ Cakewalk Content folder nothing really helps me when doing an installation or an update as Sonar will want to put a significant number of files into that folder tree. By using one link I can let Sonar continue to think that the folder is in its default location while the data (many many GB) is on another drive. The same works for plugins. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, my Sonar installation continues to appear as completely default (to Sonar) when in actuality it is anything but a default installation. No problems as all the files appear to be where they should be. This is actually what Windows does with many system folders.

I'm not sure you read my post (or the OP's) correctly.  He wants to redirect all of his CW program files (not just content data) to another drive.  I notice that everyone here making a case for redirecting are using sound/content data as an example.  I think that's fine, and said so (I actually do it myself).  
 
But program files are a different matter.  I'll say it again:  scattering program files across different drives is a bad idea IMO.  I just can't think of a good reason to do it for the relatively small amount of space gained. 
 
Move sound/content data, absolutely! (And it makes sense because of the larger size files).  But if you're that hard up for space that you need to scatter the contents of program folders, then it's time to get a bigger drive.

I have aggressively offloaded what I can, and deleted redundant files. Nevertheless, here are the biggest Cakewalk-related directories remaining on C:
 
1) C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\ -- 686 MB
2) C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\ -- 152 MB
3) C:\ProgramData\Cakewalk\ -- 374 MB
4) C:\Users\travis\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk\ - 197 MB
 
TOTAL: 1.4 GB

Native Instruments has some even bigger directories, despite my offloading and deleting:
 
1) C:\Program Files\Native Instruments -- 1.08 GB
2) C:\Program Files\Common Files\Native Instruments\ -- 2.59 GB
3) C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Native Instruments\ -- 716 MB
 
TOTAL: 4.4 GB

If I could move just those 7 directories to a different disk, I'd free up 5.8 GB. I know that doesn't sound like much (compared to the three 3 TB drives that are installed in the same PC), but my system SSD is only 60 GB, and I've been struggling to keep 10% (6 GB) free over the years. To be able to almost double my free space on C would be awesome.
 
I've used symlinks to move other programs and user data, but haven't tried symlinks with Cakewalk or Native Instruments yet. I just want to make sure it works!