Why open to My Documents? (Word 97 SR2)

[poj@home]

When I want to open an existing document, the Open window always begins with My Documents and I have to go through the hassle of exploring for the document I want to open. How can I change this opening window for the Open command?

[jscher2000]

You have to start somewhere...

To change both the default File|Open and File|Save locations, look at Tools|Options|File Locations tab for the documents directory and modify it to the path you want. Does that do it?

[poj@home]

Since I store none of my Word files in My Documents and store them all in the E partition, I prefer to start there.

The File Locations tab contained only File Types (such as Documents, User Templates, etc.) and their locations. There were no such selections as File/Open or File/Save. Nevertheless, I changed the location for Documents to E: and that did the trick. Now the Open command takes me first to that partition.

Thanks for your help.

[jscher2000]

Glad it worked out. I think you figured out that I was trying to say, obviously not in the best way, is if you change that setting, it affects both File|Open and File|Save.

[Kevin]

If I may butt in here...

There's another way to look at this picture and configure your system. Why not point My Documents to the folder of your choice? "My Documents" isn't really a folder but a pointer to a folder -- a short cut -- in MS parlance. The nice thing about this approach is that Windows (and Windows apps) put that My Document "virutal" folder on all the file dialogs. So you can always get to your personal "root" folder with a click.

Just a thought....

[jscher2000]

Excellent idea, because most apps simply use the Personal folder designated in the Registry and don't have an option, like Word, to specify a different default directory. Is there a GUI way to change the Personal folder, or must one go into the Registry?

(After experimenting...)

In Windows 2000, if you right-click the My Documents folder on the desktop you have the option to "move" it elsewhere. I did not experiment to see whether this just re-points the Personal folder setting or actually moves the existing My Documents folder somewhere. No idea if this was available in earlier versions of Windows.

[poj@home]

Yeah, great idea. But I'm with jscher2000, how do I do it?

[Kevin]

I don't have access to a 98 PC so I can't reproduce the steps and I don't recall the UI method for doing it. Jefferson showed the UI in W2k (just right click on the My Documents icon on the desktop).

I know TweakUI can do it on the My Computer tab. And here are the reg keys for My Documents and My Pictures (which Windows always wants under My Documents -- so I think).

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVe rsionExplorerUser Shell Folders, Personal

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVe rsionExplorerUser Shell Folders, My Pictures

[poj@home]

Perhaps I have deceived you regarding my computer skill level. I understand very little in your last message.

What does having access to a 98PC have to do with reproducing the steps?

What is the UI method?

Who is Jefferson and what did he show?

I downloaded and used TweakUI in Win95 but I now run under Win2000. Can I use it in this version?

The two register keys are so much gibberish to me. I have never fooled with the register and would not know how to start .

[Kevin]

Stick with TweakUI. You can download version 1.33 that works with Windows 2000 from here

[poj@home]

I'm afraid I can't reach TweakUI from your underlined link, Kevin. I have a problem with jumping to a new site using a hypertext link. I described it a week or so ago in a message titled Screwy Hypertext Link (6.00.2600) in the Outlook Express section of the Lounge. I got a few replies but none of them solved my problem. I'm now working with a technician (named Kirin Xue) at the Microsoft Online Assisted Support site.

[poj@home]

I never would have written this message if I had read the following Tip for Dummies first:

TODAY'S eTIP