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How to install server software on a different drive

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Learn how to set up a junction so Fotoware server applications can be installed on a drive other than the system drive.

By default, all Fotoware applications install on the system drive. In some environments and under some circumstances it is desirable to install the software on a different drive. This can be accomplished using junctions, links that refer to an alternative location and are handled by the server. (Unlike symbolic links, which are processed on the client.)

Junctions can be used to create alternative storage locations for for both Fotoware program files and Fotoware program data.​

Note: To use mklink from the command line, the command prompt has to be started in elevated (Administrator) mode.

Creating a junction for Fotoware program files

Fotoware program files are stored in C:\Program Files (x86)\Fotoware by default.

Before installing any Fotoware software on the server, create a folder for the Fotoware program files where you want them to be stored. (e.g. E:\FWProgramfiles).

Then create a junction point using the mklink command on the Windows Command Prompt:

cd \Program Files (x86)
mklink /J FotoWare [new location]

Substitute [new location] with the folder where you want to store the program files, e.g. E:\FWProgramfiles

This will create a symbolic link from the folder at C:\Program Files (x86)\Fotoware to E:\FWProgramfiles, so that when Fotoware software is installed, the program files will actually be placed on the E drive.

Creating a junction for Fotoware program data files

Fotoware program data files are stored in C:\ProgramData\Fotoware

Before installing any Fotoware software on the server, create a folder for the Fotoware programdata files where you want them to be stored. (e.g. E:\FWProgramdata).

Then create a junction point using the mklink command on the Windows Command Prompt:

cd \ProgramData
mklink /J FotoWare [new location]

Substitute [new location] with the folder where you want to store the program files, e.g. E:\FWProgramData. This will create a symbolic link from the folder at C:\ProgramData\Fotoware to E:\FWProgramData, so that when files are installed or created on the C drive, they will actually be placed on the E drive.

What if you have already installed the software and want to move the program data folder?

If Fotoware software has already been installed on the server and you wish to move the ProgramData folder, do as follows:

  • Stop all Fotoware services, including the Operations Center.
    Tip: Start the command prompt in elevated mode and type net stop fwls. This command stops the Fotoware Licensing service and takes down all other Fotoware services on the server.
  • Stop Internet Information Services.
  • Move the Fotoware folder from ProgramData to the new location.
  • Create the link to the new location as described above.
  • Restart IIS and Fotoware services.

Considerations concerning backup software

When using junctions, it’s worth considering what to include when performing backups of the server. When you’ve got a junction from C:\ProgramData to another drive, it makes sense to exclude C:\ProgramData and just do a backup of the actual data on the other drive.