Move pg_wal directory location/files of postgres 14 database from one drive to another drive in Windows server

Question

I have a requirement in the Postgres 14 database, which is installed in a Windows server environment. I want to move the pg_wal directory files from my G drive, where I installed my Postgres 14 database, to my D drive. This is to reduce the read-write IO of the G drive and improve its performance.

I used the symbolic link (mklink) command as given below:

mklink /D "D:\pg_wal" "G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal"

Here G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal is where my pg_wal files are, and I want them to move to D:\pg_wal. This is working, and a shortcut folder is getting created, but still, pg_wal files are there in G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal location and I want all the pg_wal files to automatically move to D:\pg_wal directory without getting filled in the original location (G:\Postgres-14d\data\pg_wal).

In another words, G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal directory should be empty, and all the pg_wal files should be collected in D:\pg_wal whenever the log files are generated. Or move the entire pg_wal directory from G drive to D Drive.

In this way, I can save space on the G drive and reduce the disk IO. Anyone, please help me get a solution or guide me if I'm doing anything wrong.

Laurenz Albe · Accepted Answer · 2023-07-24 18:56:42Z

0

Looks like you are doing this the wrong way around. Try as follows:

shut down the PostgreSQL server (service)

move G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal D:\pg_wal

mklink /j G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal D:\pg_wal

start the PostgreSQL server

answered Jul 24, 2023 at 18:56

Laurenz Albe

257k22 gold badges312 silver badges388 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Kenny Over a year ago

Thanks for your reply. I tried the same but I'm getting the message as below: C:\WINDOWS\system32>mklink /j G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal D:\pg_wal Cannot create a file when that file already exists.

Laurenz Albe Over a year ago

Then you didn't move it. After you move G:\Postgres-14\data\pg_wal to D:\pg_wal it does no longer exist, and mklink should succeed.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Move pg_wal directory location/files of postgres 14 database from one drive to another drive in Windows server

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related