why two My Documents folders?

by kameha1 Jul 21, 2007 7:07AM PDT

Hi
I noticed having 2 identical folders for My Documents, the first shows on Window Explorer on top of My Computer, then when I expand My Computer
following Local Disc, next is Control Panel, then Shared Documents and finally David's Documents, this is identical to the first folder My Documents.
Until now I did not think about but as the files continue to grow, when I run my backup prgm am increasing its size by 5GB.
Do I need to keep this second folder?,if deleted creates problems?
appreciate your comments/ideas
David

Discussion is locked

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You are seeing "friendly" names.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 21, 2007 7:12AM PDT

There is only one for each user. Explorer is NOT a file browser and creates a view that is not a view for the file system.

To get a clear picture use a REAL file browser like GYULA'S NAVIGATOR.

Bob

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That's just the same folder shown twice ...

by Kees Bakker Jul 21, 2007 7:14AM PDT

for your convenience. Anyway, it's what Microsoft thinks is convenient.

So face the reality: you've got 5 Gb in your My Documents. Time to find out where exactly? Right-click properties on a folder gives the total amount of space occupied, including subfolders. Or download a free utility like i.disk or clduw or treesize (use google to find them) to see it all on one screen.

Hope this helps.

Kees

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well

by AmericanTexan9999 Jul 21, 2007 7:14AM PDT

shared documents is shared files for a network

your my documents stores your files

unless you have a network with a need for the shared documents

you cant delete the shared documents but

you can move the files to your my documents

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O no.

by Kees Bakker Jul 21, 2007 7:18AM PDT

Shared documents are shared between users on the same computer. It has nothing to do with using a network.

So my wife and I share our common Outlook Express mailboxes (which is: all mailboxes) in a subfolder of Shared Documents.

Kees

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Windows XP: why two My Documents folders?

by kameha1 Jul 21, 2007 8:34AM PDT

Thank you all for your comments, I guess was not clear on my question, does anybody know 1)why this duplicate folder is created (I do not recall choosing that option, 2)does it serve any purpose, 3)can it be deleted without problems.
thanks again
David

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Robert and Kees both answered you but ...

by Edward ODaniel Jul 21, 2007 9:40AM PDT

you didn't seem to grasp that.

Q 1)why this duplicate folder is created (I do not recall choosing that option,
A This is how Microsoft DESIGNED windows Explorer interface to show things. In short it is a design feature.

Q 2)does it serve any purpose,
A Yes, it allows easier access directly to the directory without expanding the "My Computer" listing. Similar to how things are presented in Windows Explorer for a network.

Q 3)can it be deleted without problems.
A NO. It is a design feature (see Q 1) )

why two My Documents folders?

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