Changing structure within a TFS solution in active projects?

Question

We have a solution containing about 30 projects that is ogranized in a given catalog structure(in the solution). On the filesystem the projects is however located all around the place so now I need to clean this up. There is however several problems with this :

1. If I move a project on the filesystem it will be unavailable in the solution, to solve this I will have to remove the project and then add existing to the solution. Im not sure how this will effect the TFS history that most not get lost?
2. There is people working ont these projects and if thay are moved when checking in there will probably be big problems?

So how do I solve this changes without stalling any other development within this solution?

Answer 1

You need to do it quickly, or at least each action should be quick.

If you need to move a Project to the correct location you should:

1. Notify all developers you are moving a project and not to check out.
2. Move the Project folder
3. Open the Solution file in notepad and change the location reference to the project
4. Save and checkin.
5. Instruct all other users to get latest.

Do that for each move, slowly over a few days and you should be good. A big bang move is also possible but if you have 50 Devs then it is costly.