Storage problem with Kwik Media reference files

[rickdeckard]

Am running Windows 7, Nero 11 with all updates installed.
Kwik Media writes files with extensions .thul & .thus to the folder AppData\Local\Nero\SharedMediaData\gmds.dbext (these appear to reference my music files).
Kwik Media also writes files with extensions .history, .original & .thumbnail to the folder AppData\Local\Nero\MediaHub.history (these reference photo files). All files are housed in folders and sub-folders named '1', '2' etc.
The files are small, but there hundreds of thousands of them and they require too much room on the SSD which holds my OS.
So, my questions are these:
Going forward, can I redirect Kwik to write these on another drive? Was this a choice when Nero 11 was originally installed (I ask because I did not originally install it)?
Most importantly right now, can I safely delete all the current files? If I can safely delete them, can I delete them by folder?
Thanks.

[wither]

I think that there's a way, in general, to force Win 7 to write files to another drive. This has become a real issue since the advent of SSDs.

However, I don't think there's a way to redirect those particular files from within Nero. The only options you have in regards to location of files are those in the Options.

I suggest you send an e-mail to tech support.

[rickdeckard]

Thank you Wither.
I had contacted tech support; after 3 business days with no answer, I posted here. In the mean time, I have received from them a request for screenshots, which I have sent.
Your comment about the advent of SSDs is enlightening to me, something I wish I had known before purchasing this PC last November.

[wither]

The article about how to make windows use the hard drive instead of the SSD was in the February issue of Maximum PC. It's nothing difficult but I don't have my copy anymore. One could look at their website or you could also check a Win 7 forum.

Problem with SSDs is, unless you have gobs of money to buy a large one (like 240 Gb), then you're space limited. If you have another hard drive, then it shouldn't be an issue if you can learn how to do what I was talking about above.

[rickdeckard]

In case there are others in the same situation, here are answers from Nero techsupport to some of my original questions:
No, KwikMedia cannot be re-directed to another location.
Yes, .thul and .thus extension files can be deleted. KwikMedia will re-create them if needed. I have done this and the program is working as usual.
I did not get an answer regarding the deletion of .history, .original & .thumbnail extension folders. At at a later date I will back these up, then delete them, and see what happens.
Thanks again to wither.

[wither]

It's true that you can't redirect the files from within options provided in KM. However, you can make Win 7 put C:\ folders on a drive, other than the SSD. Like I said, it's really simple but I haven't gone to look for how to do it.

I don't know why they didn't address the other file types.

[rickdeckard]

Hello again wither. Is this what you mean:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows...-a-new-location

It seems you can redirect most of the users folders, e.g. Downloads, Contacts etc. to another drive or location.
It seems you can also redirect the 3 Windows 7 AppData folders: Local, Locallow & Roaming.
But you cannot redirect any of the AppData\Local\ sub folders, e.g. Nero, individually.
I have not tried it yet (heh, I'm old and there is a massive fear factor when working with system files).
I appreciate the comments.

[wither]

I think that is it. Maximum PC hasn't posted the Feb. 2012 issue yet at their website.

Give it a try. The worst thing that can happen is it will say you can't do that. The article also states how to restore them to the original location.

Let us know if it works.

To really test if removing those files affects KM, you could rename the folder they're contained in. I only have a few files in most of those folders.

[rickdeckard]

OK, sorry to be so late, life interferes.
Yes, .history, .original & .thumbnail extension files & folders can be deleted just like .thul and .thus extension files & folders. Kwik simply starts rebuilding the database again next time. Very useful.
As for the issue of moving the AppData/Local folder, the folder someone wanting to save space on an SSD would like to move most of all, even though Windows 7 provides an interface to move this folder (just like other user folders such as music & photos), it does not actually work. The reason is, during the process you are strongly encouraged to tick the box that says 'move the entire folder to the new location?'. Having done that, you also include .log files that are in use during the process. And of course you cannot easily relocate a system file that is in use, at least not within the scope of the user interface provided. And a little further reading on the Microsoft Technet sites suggests that, if you were actually successful in the moving the AppData folder, this would block future upgrades of the OS. At least, that is my understanding of it.

[wither]

I wouldn't expect that moving the appdata folder will have any effect on updates.

[rickdeckard]

Hi wither. I took my cue from this link, realizing the discussion is about Vista & various servers:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library...177(WS.10).aspx

[wither]

In the latest issue of Maximum PC, they suggested redirecting the Libraries to another location. The first article you referenced suggests redirecting things like My Documents to the Libraries. Kind of complicated to me but it doesn't seem like this method redirects the user profile directory. I also don't think these articles takes into account the advent of SSDs.