Putting Blogs In A Separate Folder

Hi… I’m using WP for the first time and have the twenty ten template. Everything works properly from the default install by my hosting provider. However, I want SEO friendly permalinks in the format of https://www.domainname/blogs/category.

I’m trying to set up a custom configuration where the application has its default folder (https://www.domainname/wordpress) and the blogs are in a separately created folder (https://www.domainname/blogs)

I’ve tried the WP support pages and can’t get it to work properly. From what I can understand, the solution seems to lie in the correct configuration and placement of htaccess files and index.php files but after many hours of fruitless efforts, I am just getting more confused and need help.

This is where I am at:

General Settings:

WordPress address (URL): https://domainname/wordpress
Site address (URL): https://domainname/blogs
Permalinks: Custom Setting: /%category%

In the root /wordpress/ folder I have a htaccess file like this:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} on
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L]

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /blogs/
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ – [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /blogs/index.php [L]
</IfModule>

# END WordPress

——————————————–

In the root /wordpress/ folder I have a index.php file like this:

[Code moderated as per the Forum Rules. Please use the pastebin]

I’ve tried every possible combination of setting in those files and always end up with a “Not Found” for the default start page and pages not found from the page links in the menu bar.

I suspect the solution may be quite simple…. only I don’t have enough experience to see it!

I’d appreciate any help with this.