Sharing files

Staffs Lebowski · 25 Aug 2014

Hi,

We have 1 computer with 2 User accounts. My girlfriend manages an (Office 365) Excel spreadsheet in her User account and I would like to have access to it when I sit at the computer (also subscribed to Office 365). I'm trying to understand, where is the best place for her to store the file so that I can see/edit the file when I log on?

Scenario:

1 - She logs on, opens the file and makes changes
2 - The file (open or closed) syncs with OneDrive
3 - I want to use the PC so I throw her off the PC (metaphorically..!) then I Switch User

At this point, I want to edit the same file. So where do I navigate to, to access the file?

A - In her, 'My Documents' folder? (Presuming I have permissions)
B - In a 'shared' folder?
C - Access the file from OneDrive?

Also, if a file is put in a 'shared' folder, does the file actually reside there or is what you see, simply a 'pointer/link' to the real file?

Many thanks,

Staffs Lebowski

MilesAhead · 25 Aug 2014

The easiest would be to set up a shortcut to copy the file to C:\Users\Public. That folder is already shared. Just ask her to hit the shortcut before you switch users. A simple batch such as
CopySheet.cmd

Code:

copy C:\folder\spreadsheetname.ext C:\Users\Public

Just fill in the actual path to the speadsheet. Or she can just drag and drop it there in Explorer.

Staffs Lebowski · 25 Aug 2014

Hi MilesAhead and thanks for replying,

Is there any reason why she could not just store the file in C:\Users\Public\ ?

Thanks again,

MilesAhead · 25 Aug 2014

I don't use office apps, spread sheets etc. but as long as the spreadsheet program doesn't make it a nuisance I don't see any reason not to unless the info is confidential. Any machine on the same Lan workgroup or whatever would be able to read it.

If nobody else is on the local network then you're fine.