Do I losse something if I use c:/programs instead of c:/program files?

M

micky

Using XP Home, SP3

Do I lose something if I put all my downloads in C:/Downloads instead
of C:/documents and setting/adminsistrator/something something/more
something/downloads?

Or if I use the directory c:/programs instead of c:/program files?

Or if I use c:/data/application-name instead of C:/documents and
setting/adminsistrator/application data......?

When I first got XP, I didn't read everything there was to read, and I
wanted it similar to win98 and 3.1, so I just used simple directory
names, with no internal spaces so I could easily type them in DOS. .
Also I'm the only one who uses my computer, so there's no need to
separate programs or data according to persona. (If someone needed
to use my computer, I have no secrets anyhow.)

BUTTTTTT!!!!!, since then I've wondered if the XP process of settling
checkpoints and restoring them ignores my directories while it would
backup and restore the directories I make a point not to use. Does
it?

Thanks
 
P

Paul

micky said:
Using XP Home, SP3

Do I lose something if I put all my downloads in C:/Downloads instead
of C:/documents and setting/adminsistrator/something something/more
something/downloads?

Or if I use the directory c:/programs instead of c:/program files?

Or if I use c:/data/application-name instead of C:/documents and
setting/adminsistrator/application data......?

When I first got XP, I didn't read everything there was to read, and I
wanted it similar to win98 and 3.1, so I just used simple directory
names, with no internal spaces so I could easily type them in DOS. .
Also I'm the only one who uses my computer, so there's no need to
separate programs or data according to persona. (If someone needed
to use my computer, I have no secrets anyhow.)

BUTTTTTT!!!!!, since then I've wondered if the XP process of settling
checkpoints and restoring them ignores my directories while it would
backup and restore the directories I make a point not to use. Does
it?

Thanks

Of the ones you mention, System Restore and the official documents folder
stand out. System Restore is designed to ignore the documents directory,
so that if you go "back in time", your documents are not erased (the
newly created ones). If you store your documents elsewhere, then be
careful about System Restore, and using a restore point. I learned this
the hard way, when some user docs disappeared after rolling back the
system with System Restore.

There's actually a nice web page, that lists exactly what System
Restore does on WinXP, but I can't find the one I'm looking for.
It has a list of the file extensions handled by SR, as well as
the exception cases, such as ignoring the official user documents
folder (so they don't get erased).

For the rest, I'm not really sure it makes a difference. There
could be environment variables that define them, or Registry
entries. Most any application should be using the variables,
rather than hard coding. So if someone wants C:\Windows,
they should use %WINDIR%, in case the location changes :)
Similarly, I think %PROGRAMFILES% defines "Program Files".
And then you have to figure out, where the system actually
stores the value of %PROGRAMFILES% etc.

Paul
 
J

J. P. Gilliver (John)

In message <[email protected]>, micky
BUTTTTTT!!!!!, since then I've wondered if the XP process of settling
checkpoints and restoring them ignores my directories while it would
backup and restore the directories I make a point not to use. Does
it?

Thanks

For the "my documents" folder, if you still have the "My Documents"
shortcut on your desktop, right-click it and select properties, and you
can then tell the system where you want it to be (there's a "move"
button as well, though it's far from clear whether you change the target
and _then_ use the move button or vice versa). FWIW, I have mine set at
D:\document.s; like you, I don't like the long complex defaults (and I
try to keep C: for the PS and software (which has kept it down to 17.6G
after some years).

Whether there's a similarly easy option for the other "system folders",
I don't know - I suspect not.
 
J

jim

micky said:
Using XP Home, SP3

Do I lose something if I put all my downloads in C:/Downloads instead
of C:/documents and setting/adminsistrator/something something/more
something/downloads?

Or if I use the directory c:/programs instead of c:/program files?

Or if I use c:/data/application-name instead of C:/documents and
setting/adminsistrator/application data......?

When I first got XP, I didn't read everything there was to read, and I
wanted it similar to win98 and 3.1, so I just used simple directory
names, with no internal spaces so I could easily type them in DOS. .
Also I'm the only one who uses my computer, so there's no need to
separate programs or data according to persona. (If someone needed
to use my computer, I have no secrets anyhow.)

BUTTTTTT!!!!!, since then I've wondered if the XP process of settling
checkpoints and restoring them ignores my directories while it would
backup and restore the directories I make a point not to use. Does
it?

Thanks

If I d/l any .exe programs , they go into my executable folder I made so I
know where they are . AFAIK , it doesn't matter where they go .
 
D

David H. Lipman

From: "micky said:
Using XP Home, SP3

Do I lose something if I put all my downloads in C:/Downloads instead
of C:/documents and setting/adminsistrator/something something/more
something/downloads?

Or if I use the directory c:/programs instead of c:/program files?

Or if I use c:/data/application-name instead of C:/documents and
setting/adminsistrator/application data......?

When I first got XP, I didn't read everything there was to read, and I
wanted it similar to win98 and 3.1, so I just used simple directory
names, with no internal spaces so I could easily type them in DOS. .
Also I'm the only one who uses my computer, so there's no need to
separate programs or data according to persona. (If someone needed
to use my computer, I have no secrets anyhow.)

BUTTTTTT!!!!!, since then I've wondered if the XP process of settling
checkpoints and restoring them ignores my directories while it would
backup and restore the directories I make a point not to use. Does
it?

Thanks

It is Windows, not Unix, thus it is c:\program files

If you have to ask, keep the default folder names and do NOT go off standards.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top