I have 2 copies of my files; Delete one?

[Hal]

Somehow, I have created two copies of all my files. (I have Vista Home
Basic) I have no idea how I did this or when, or if this is what Vista does.

#1: copy is under: Desktop - Hal, and
#2: is under Desktop - Computer - Compaq (C - Users - Hal.

Should I delete one? If so, which one? It appears that they are exactly
the same, but I haven't checked every file, and when I add or update/change
a file it goes to both places. (I am the only one on the computer)

They both have: AppData, and the Green color files, Contacts, Desktop,
Documents, Downloads, Favorites, Links, Music, Pictures, etc.

When I use "Search", it appears that the returned files properties are under
#1 (Desktop - Hal) and when I use "Save As" for a file, it also goes to #1.

Therefore, I think I should delete #2, but would I delete "Users" or just
"Hal"?

Am I getting into dangerous waters in doing this or should I just leave it
alone?

 

[pacca]

leave it.

 

[PaulB]

Do not delete any because they are the same files. Desktop Hal is the
shortcut (but not displayed as a shortcut) to the files under c:\users\Hal.

 

[PaulB]

If you want to see what happens, create a dummy folder in one, the look in
the other. Then delete the folder. You will see it deleted from "both"
because there really is only one location.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Somehow, I have created two copies of all my files.

In fact, you have not. There's just a feature that can lead you to you
think you have.

(I have Vista Home Basic) I have no idea how I did this or when, or if
this is what Vista does.

It is. It's also what XP and Windows 2000 do.

#1: copy is under: Desktop - Hal, and
#2: is under Desktop - Computer - Compaq (C - Users - Hal.

Should I delete one?

No, because there is only one.

If so, which one? It appears that they are exactly the same,

There is only one file set, and it is the same as itself.

but I haven't checked every file, and when I add or update/change a file
it goes to both places.

There is actually only one place, which is described in two different ways.
This dual description can lead you to wrongly think that there are two
different file sets, but there is only one.

(I am the only one on the computer)

They both have: AppData, and the Green color files, Contacts, Desktop,
Documents, Downloads, Favorites, Links, Music, Pictures, etc.

Yes, this is the basic account folder structure.

When I use "Search", it appears that the returned files properties are
under #1 (Desktop - Hal) and when I use "Save As" for a file, it also goes
to #1.

"Both" locations are the same place. There is only one location, with two
different descriptions.

Therefore, I think I should delete #2, but would I delete "Users" or just
"Hal"?

Am I getting into dangerous waters in doing this or should I just leave it
alone?

You're just not understanding that you are seeing the same files from two
different places. XP does *exactly* the same thing.

Do not delete the file - there is only the one copy.

If you want to confirm this, select a file as a test - perhaps create a
text file on the desktop named "searchtest.txt". Contents do not matter.
Now, use a search utility to look at the drive to find that file. You
will find that there is only the one copy.

HTH
-pk

 

[oscar]

I concur. Do not delete any files in this situation. You are looking at the
same files from two different "directions."