Re: Why so many My Docs?

Joan wrote:
Thanks to this ng I have found solutions and answers to many questions across time, it is a great resource .
Here are a few more questions:

- If I am the sole user and administrator( owner) of my XP SPF2 desktop computer, can I get rid of the various user folders (All Users, Default user, Owner)? Delete them? Are there any risks in doing so?

- Does the answer apply also to XP Professional Media Center, which I have in my laptop?

- How can I make My Computer be expanded to show all drives when I open Windows Explorer?

Let's take one thing at a time. I'd like you to explain more precisely what you mean by your last question. As for your first two questions, you need to understand the file hierarchy of XP. Below you will find a simple explanation of it. It is applicable to all versions of XP.

*****
XP is a multi-user operating system, no matter if only one person is using it. In all multi-user operating systems - NT, Win2k, XP, Unix, Linux, Mac OS X - there is the one built-in account that is "god" on the system. In Windows terminology, that is "Administrator". In the *nix world, it is "root". This is a necessary account and is not normally used in everyday work. You cannot delete the built-in Administrator account nor would you ever want to.

Here is the explanation of what you really have:

My Computer - represents your entire computer, showing drives and shared folders. Shared Folders are folders where you can put files you wish to share with other users on the system. You don't need to use these folders if you don't want to, but leave them alone!

[some name] C:\ - your first hard drive, usually the system drive.

Document and Settings - The "container" for all user settings. Each user will have [username] Documents, Music, Videos, My Pictures.

Administrator - Built-in account - Leave alone! Do not use! Do not worry about it!

All Users - Section where items common to all users go. In a multi-user operating system, users have separate accounts. This is the place where if you want to share files with all the other users on the system you would put those files. You don't ever have to use those folders but they need to be there. This is where programs you install that are meant to be installed for all users put settings. All the "Shared Documents" type of folders you see at the root of C:\ are shortcuts to the shared folders in here. Leave them alone!

Default Users - This is the template from which new user accounts are made. You will never put anything in any of those folders but they are needed to create new users. In Linux we use "skel" ("skeleton" - get it?). In Windows, the less-colorful term "Default User" is used. Leave it alone!

[OEM] Administrator or Owner - This is the generic user created by the OEM when installing the operating system. After all, the OEM doesn't know who is going to buy the computer. If you aren't using this OEM user account, you can delete it from the User Accounts applet in Control Panel. It is not the same account as "Administrator". If you don't have an OEM machine (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.) you may not have this user account.

My Network Places - This is a graphical representation of other computers on the network and any shared network resources. If you don't have other computers, you can remove the Network Places icon from the Desktop using the Control Panel Display>Desktop>Customize Desktop function. Leave the folder alone!
*****

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
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