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General discussion

PROGRAMS List, "all users", etc. = ?? Still need help, PLEASE

Mar 3, 2004 8:18AM PST

Note: I am just a high beginner ? and I am new to Windows XP Home.

When I go to the Start Menu ? Customize ? Advanced - Programs, I reach ?Documents and Settings?, and under it I find: ?All Users? and then ?John Doe? (my name). I?m confused about what the difference is between these folders. Under ?all users? 21 programs are listed; under ?John Doe? 8 programs are listed - 6 of them are not listed under ?all users?, while 2 of them are. (To confuse matters even more, there are 27 listed under Programs on the Start menu.)

The reason I am asking about this is because I would like to create new folders (and then combine several program shortcuts into them). I believe I would cut & paste (in the ?Documents and Settings? folder) in order to accomplish this. First of all, is this the correct way to accomplish this? Secondly, where should I be doing this: in the ?all users? folder or the ?John Doe? folder...or somewhere else??

Thank you for any ideas and guidance you can offer.

Discussion is locked

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Re:PROGRAMS List,
Mar 3, 2004 9:00AM PST

Since such is a personal choice on how to manage such menus, the method you chose will be the correct one.

Bob

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Re:Re:PROGRAMS List,
Mar 3, 2004 10:55AM PST

My questions were:
(1) What is the difference between the ?all users? folder and the ?John Doe?(i.e., the computer owner's name) folder. (I don't know what "all users" means here. I don't have others users on my machine - so I want just one set of settings, etc.)

(2) To create new folders (and then combine several program shortcuts into them), I believe I would cut & paste (in the ?Documents and Settings? folder) in order to accomplish this; is this the correct way to accomplish this?

(3) Why are some programs which are listed under "all users" not listed under "John Doe" (and vice versa) while they are all listed on the Start menu Programs shortcuts list?

Thnak you for any specifics on these questions. (I am asking them in order to figure out how to use, move, and understand the program listings - since I have been unable to find explanations and instructions regarding them in the Help menu.)

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Re:Re:Re:PROGRAMS List,
Mar 3, 2004 11:09AM PST

(1) What is the difference between the ?all users? folder and the ?John Doe?(i.e., the computer owner's name) folder. (I don't know what "all users" means here. I don't have others users on my machine - so I want just one set of settings, etc.)

A "TRAP!" for new NT, 2000, XP and 2003 owners is the concept of "I'm the only user" and they start to try to bend the OS to just one and only one user. This trap reveals itself when a PROFILE has a corruption and they can't login. Since they were successful in removing all other accounts, they can't use the Administrator account to log in and fix the issue.

Please consider some deep thought about this.

In short, all users is what all users will see. The "john doe" entries are for the user logon "john doe."

(2) To create new folders (and then combine several program shortcuts into them), I believe I would cut & paste (in the ?Documents and Settings? folder) in order to accomplish this; is this the correct way to accomplish this?

Yes. But don't fall into the "I'm the only user trap."

(3) Why are some programs which are listed under "all users" not listed under "John Doe" (and vice versa) while they are all listed on the Start menu Programs shortcuts list?

This may never be known "why?" Such things were decided in some committee far away. Just do as you wish and live with your decision.

Bob

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''Profile''
Mar 4, 2004 12:59AM PST

1. You can create separate accounts for each person that will be using the computer which allows each user to have their own document folders and settings such as the wallpaper, Start menu, visual style, and so forth. You can create and configure user accounts with the User Accounts tool (Q279783) in Control Panel, but is not available on a computer that is a member of a Domain.

2. For a thorough understanding, please read through the TechNet article, "User Data and Settings Management - User Profile Structure", and through the "User Profiles and Folder Redirection FAQ."

a. "How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile (Q811151)."
b. "Error Message: "Windows Cannot Load the Locally Stored Profile" (Q812339)."

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Short Answer
Mar 4, 2004 11:16AM PST

They are all right.

If you make a shortcut group and put in in the DESKTOP folder of ALL USERS, then every user that is ever created will see that set of shortcuts on their desktop.

If you put it in your desktop, and then make another account, that account will not see those shortcuts.

Anything in all users is common to "all users" stuff in your folder is only for you. It's that simple.