PVR said:
Dumb questions.
I use WinXP/2. In "Documents and Settings" (Windows Explorer, My
Computer/Local Disk/...) there are several folders such as "All Users",
"Default User", "Owner", "Peter" which appear to contain shortcuts to
other folders or files.
Question. If I delete one of these folders do I loose the references to
the files or the actual files? If I loose a reference is it easy to
recover it in order to place it in a more convenient folder?
They aren't dumb questions, Peter. You're being smart asking before you
delete! You actually don't want to delete those folders. Here's some
general information about what you're seeing:
Explanation of user account structure in 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
OSX - 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.
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".
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!
HTH and if you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask them.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
