I don't want my documents in My Documents


Q Ever since I switched to Windows 98, my apps default to storing files in C:\My Documents. I prefer another folder called C:\docs. How can I easily save files where I want them?

- Kenneth J Kahn

A If you already have a data folder with another name and have shortcuts pointing to that folder, you're not likely to move everything to My Documents just to take advantage of the File-Save command's default location. And you don't have to. With the help of the Tweak UI utility, you can turn any folder on your hard drive into the default File-Save location. If you don't already have Tweak UI installed, pop your Windows 98 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (don't use the Tweak UI for Windows 95/NT). In Windows Explorer, go to the CD-ROM's \tools\reskit\powertoy folder, right-click tweakui.inf, select Install and follow the prompts. (Note: tweakui.inf is not included on the Windows 98 Second Edition CD. Win 98 SE users can download the file from our cover CD or from www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/contents/wutoys/nttweakui/default.asp.)

Before you can designate a new default document folder, that folder must exist. If it doesn't, create it.

Then select Start-Settings-Control Panel. Double-click the Tweak UI icon, then the General tab. In the Special Folders section, click the Folder drop-down list and select My Documents. Click Change Location and select the folder of your choice. Click OK three times. You'll have to reboot for the change to take effect.

Programs that once preferred My Documents will now default to your chosen folder. Don't get upset if some of them still identify the location as My Documents ù that's a phantom of the old name; the actual location is the folder you chose in Tweak UI.


Category:win98
Issue: September 1999

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