Newbie driven to distraction by file management

Minnie · 17 Nov 2010

I've spent a while trying to come to grips with Documents, My Documents, My This and My That only to get more and more baffled. Why oh why can't I wipe the lot away and store things the way I want!! Sorry folks. All I wish to ask is: can I safely delete the confusing *My Documents* folder (with all its contents) which is inside the Library called *Documents*? That would simplify things for me who's getting too easily muddled by such MyThis and MyThat repetitions.

linnemeyerhere · 17 Nov 2010

Minnie, welcome to SF.
Knock yourself out. It's only a sub folder and you can rename it whatever you like. The world is your filing system oyster !

Ciara · 17 Nov 2010

Hi Minnie :)

I just have links in Rocket doc to folders I use (I have not used Videos folder at all) :)

Imperfect1 · 17 Nov 2010

You can delete the Library itself and/or any folder within a Library.
Here's what Microsoft says (at Windows 7 Libraries: Frequently Asked Questions):

"What happens to my files when I remove a folder location from a Library?

When you remove a folder location from a Library, you remove only the Library view of that folder. Removing a folder location from a Library doesn’t actually delete the folder or its files.

What happens to my files when I delete a Library?

When you delete a Library, you only remove the Library from the Navigations pane of Windows Explorer. Deleting a Library doesn’t actually delete the folders that it aggregates."

To delete an entry into a library: Right click on the library and go to Properties. Then highlight the folder(s) in question and click the "Remove" button - that does not delete the folder itself but the entry into the library.

To delete the library Itself: When the library is empty, you can delete it.

Here's some help from our Tutorials:
How to Remove a Included Folder from a Library in Windows 7
How to Turn the Library Pane On or Off in Windows 7
Libraries Folder - Add or Remove from Navigation Pane

Trucidation · 17 Nov 2010

Thanks for the links, Imperfect1 - I also removed Libraries but their presence in the Navigation Pane as well as showing up in save dialog boxes always drove me nuts. Your last link helped me remove them altogether, woop :)

Minnie · 21 Nov 2010

Grateful for all replies and in particular to Imperfect1 for a wealth of info. Sorry for having to delay my thanks but I've been laid low by a deadly (well, almost) 'flu bug. Though now the prospect of clearing out all that M$ clutter makes me a happy bunny again! Cheers!

Hwalker1 · 20 Sep 2012

Sorry for an even later reply Minnie. This filing system is really quite rubbish for the situation where there is only one user. I file things where I think I have put them, only to find they are not there when I look for them. I am sure that there are thousands of people out there who like me never used My Documents in Windows XP, or My Computer, and who have their own logically constructed system which suits them perfectly, and all Windows 7's filing system does is screw it up.

strollin · 20 Sep 2012

Hwalker1 said:

Sorry for an even later reply Minnie. This filing system is really quite rubbish for the situation where there is only one user. I file things where I think I have put them, only to find they are not there when I look for them. I am sure that there are thousands of people out there who like me never used My Documents in Windows XP, or My Computer, and who have their own logically constructed system which suits them perfectly, and all Windows 7's filing system does is screw it up.

Not sure why you wouldn't be able to find something where you filed it. The OS does not move files from where ever you put them so if you create a folder on your C: drive called "XYZ" and file something there, that's where it will stay. If you can't find something you've filed again I think it's only due to your being "forgetful" about where you filed it in the first place or perhaps what you named it.

Be thankful that you're not using Linux where aBc, ABC and abC are all different file or folder names!

As far as using the Libraries or the "My Documents", "My Pictures", etc... you are absolutely free to use them or not use them as you see fit. I don't understand why those folders existence is confusing to the point that someone needs to delete them. Of course you can delete them but, to me, it's just as easy to ignore them.