If you install Jenkins using MSI installer, it copies files to C:\Program Files (x86)\jenkins and uses the install directory as JENKINS_HOME (on 64bit machine).

This means that Jenkins stores all data (including plugins, workspace and job data) to C:\Program Files (x86)\jenkins. On windows, it is recommended that application data is stored to ProgramData and AppData. So, I wanted to change JENKINS_HOME.

First, I added JENKINS_HOME to environment value, but it doen't make any sense. Jenkins prefers the value set on jenkins.xml when we use MSI installer.

Now, let's change JENKINS_HOME to C:\ProgramData\Jenkins (Jenkins version: 1.550).

1. Stop Jenkins service.

2. Open jenkins.xml in the install folder, and edit

     <env name="JENKINS_HOME" value="%BASE%"/>
   

   as follows:

     <env name="JENKINS_HOME" value="%ProgramData%\Jenkins"/>
   

3. Move all files in install folder except for the following files (Don't copy because it brokes symbolic links in jobs folder):

   • jre folder
   • jenkins.err.log
   • jenkins.exe
   • jenkins.exe.config
   • jenkins.out.log
   • jenkins.war
   • jenkins.war.bak
   • jenkins.war.tmp
   • jenkins.wrapper.log
   • jenkins.xml

4. Start Jenkins service.

5. Open http://localhost:8080/systemInfo and check JEKNINS_HOME has been changed.

Enjoy!