Picasa uses a database to store meta data. This database is created under the system drive, usually C:, and there is no option for you to move it to another location.
After using Picasa for sometime you’ll find that your C: drive mysteriously fills up and you system backup takes longer and requires more space.
The solution is to move the database from its original location to another drive, location, to free up space for the system drive.
It’s possible to do it with a Microsoft tool called Junction.
Download Junction utility at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx) and unzip it.
Close Picasa if it’s open and running.
Copy Google data (under c:\Documents & Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application data\Google to another folder on (or other drive)
Delete data under initial Google folder.
Open a cmd session, go to where junction.exe is located and type:
junction -s <source dir on C:> <destination dir on D: or else>
Note: -s recurses folders
Start Picasa to check if everything is ok.
It works fine for me. I was able to free up 6 GB on my C: drive!
My configuration is Picasa 3 and Windows Vista 64 bits.
Tags: picasa
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks, I was using Junction but didn’t thought to use it also for this picasa DB
I created a little application that makes the same thing possible… without needing to use the command line. Check it out here:
http://sites.google.com/site/picasastartersite/