Relocating JENKINS_HOME on Windows when installed as service

Question

To free up space on C:, I would like to move my Jenkins data files (specifically the \\jobs directory) from the default installation directory

Answer 1

For WINDOWS:

Copy all data from C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Jenkins.jenkins to D:\Jenkins\home

Go to Jenkins installed folder C:\Program Files\Jenkins

• Stop the running Jenkins service from the command line - jenkins.exe stop

• Uninstall the Jenkins service from the command line - jenkins.exe uninstall

• Update jenkins.xml as <env name="JENKINS_HOME" value="D:\JenkinsHome"/>

• Install the Jenkins service from the command line- jenkins.exe install

• Start the Jenkins service from the command line- jenkins.exe start

• Login to Jenkins http://localhost:8080

• Navigate to Manage Jenkins > Configure System

Verify Home directory must point to D:\JenkinsHome

Answer 2

Having the same problem and not wanting to change the whole %JENKINS_HOME% location, I came across the answer by adil ameen

Modify the config.xml file in %JENKINS_HOME% (typical under C:\Program Files (x86)\Jenkins). Change <workspaceDir> and <buildsDir> to your desired folder.

You can use the following placeholders: ${JENKINS_HOME}, ${ITEM_ROOTDIR}, ${ITEM_FULL_NAME}. As specified at Features controlled by system properties under jenkins.model.Jenkins.buildsDir

Mine looks like this:

  <workspaceDir>D:/jenkins/jobs/${ITEM_FULL_NAME}/workspace</workspaceDir>
  <buildsDir>D:/jenkins/jobs/${ITEM_FULL_NAME}/builds</buildsDir>

Reload the configuration through the Jenkins UI via Jenkins -> Manage Jenkins -> Reload configuration from disk

You can even keep your build history if you copy the old jobs to the new location.

Answer 3

first set the jenkins home path and then run /install jenkins.war

example :

set JENKINS_HOME=D:\
java -jar jenkins.war --httpPort=8091 -path=D:\<some-folder-name>\

Answer 4

For Jenkins 2.0, it was only necessary to add a system environment variable called "JENKINS_HOME" that points to the new location. The steps I used:

1. Stop the container hosting Jenkins (e.g. Tomcat).
2. Add a system environment variable called "JENKINS_HOME" that points to the new location.
3. Restart the container hosting Jenkins.

Answer 5

Stumbled upon this question because I was short on HDD on C:/ but had plenty on D:/.

The answer of Jeanne Boyarsky had exactly zero effect on my Jenkins. Although I changed the two variables, Jenkins still used the original workspace and jobs directories which consumed 1/3 of my C:/ drive.

A colleague pointed me to the dead easy solution of simply using Symbolic Links for the directories.

After shutting down Jenkins, open your CMD on the %JENKINS_HOME% directory and simply create two links for the big directories:

pushd %JENKINS_HOME%
:: save the old directories
ren workspace workspace.old
ren jobs jobs.old
:: now create the links
mklink /D /J workspace D:\jenkins\workspace
mklink /D /J jobs D:\jenkins\jobs
:: copy the original jobs to the new location
xcopy jobs.old\* jobs\ /sy

After this, restart your Jenkins. If everything works fine, you can safely delete the .old directories.

Answer 6

If you are using jenkins version older than 2.0 than you should do following:

1) open jenkins -> manage Jenkins -> Configure System. Check the path of your Home Directory. 2) Stop the jenkins service. 3) copy the jenkins home directory to other drive or location you want to move. 4) open jenkins.xml from program files and modify the value <env name="JENKINS_HOME" value="d:\Jenkins"/> Change the d:\Jenkins to your new path. 5) restart the Jenkins service. 6) test your job :)