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Need Help Saving Files to Desktop

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by chas berlin, 2008/07/19.

  1. 2008/07/19
    chas berlin

    chas berlin Inactive Thread Starter

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    Somewhere there is a place to indicate where you want files saved to. In my case the desktop. I can't find the page or tab, or what not. I've tried searching online, Windows help files, all to no avail.
    Can someone help?
     
    chas berlin,
    #1
  2. 2008/07/19
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Where are the files coming from?

    MS Word for example has an option under tools to specify where to save files.
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


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  4. 2008/07/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    In any program go file > Save As and select the Desktop from the Save in dropdown list.

    For Downloads hit the Save button and again select Desktop from the Save in dropdown list.
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2008/07/19
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Also: downloading/saving to the desktop is a bad idea!

    The desktop is part of your user profile, and as such, all files placed on your desktop increase the size of your user profile. This in turn increases the load time for your profile (and thus the time windows takes to boot up).

    Also, if your profile gets corrupted (and they do from time to time, read these forums), you've now lost all your downloaded files.

    So, download to a separate folder on your hard drive, and if you want quick access, create a shortcut to the folder & place that on your desktop.
     
    Arie,
    #4
  6. 2008/07/19
    jorjab Lifetime Subscription

    jorjab Well-Known Member

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    Glad I read this Post while idly passing through. Did not know the side effects of putting files on desktop.

    Why I love this BBS.

    Thank you Again
     
    jorjab,
    #5
  7. 2008/07/19
    chas berlin

    chas berlin Inactive Thread Starter

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    Now that's a ton of good info!
    I too never realised the issue of downloading to the desktop.
    I created a file through Nero yesterday thinking it was going to the desktop, my usual default, and apparently it's not set up this way on the new HD. I'd swear I saw a box asking where to send downloads to when I set things up a few days back.
    I like the idea of setting up a separate folder w/ a shortcut. The question is whether I'll be able to do this, as unless I get a query for location I don't know where they go.
     
    chas berlin,
    #6
  8. 2008/07/19
    sledger

    sledger Inactive

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    OK yes, the desktop area is part of your profile, but so is My Docs, My Music and My Pictures (and so on)
    Many users have hundreds of digital cam photos in the My Pictures folder, and hundreds of MP3's in their My Music folder (and so on). This does not significantly slow down the loading of the profile. Booting to the Windows Welcome screen should not be affected at all as at this stage, on a multi-user PC, no profile has been loaded.
    Using the desktop as a temporary area for downloading files is sensible for the casual and non-experienced PC user because they are easy to find. The analogy of a 'desktop' is no accident.
    Also easy to find is the Recycle bin ;), so delete unwanted files after downloading and using/installing them (remember to emtpy this regularly, or press SHIFT when you delete a file, this will delete the file from the system rather than placing it in the recycle bin)
     
    sledger,
    #7
  9. 2008/07/19
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Yea, you are right, I got mixed up with server OS stuff. But it still is true that:

    1. If you have to use the System Restore feature of Windows XP, some files that are stored on your desktop may not be preserved.
    2. If your user profile becomes corrupt, you will lose all your desktop files.

    Although part of your profile, My Docs, My Music etc. just point to the location of your hard drive where the files are stored. When you would corrupt your user profile, you can create a new user profile & "take ownership" of the files & you'll be 'back on track'.
     
    Arie,
    #8

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