On 5/23/15 7:12 AM, Wolf K wrote:
On 2015-05-20 4:46 PM, Paul wrote:
Ken Springer wrote:
Cross posted to 4 groups, as it probably applies to all these versions
of Windows. Probably applies to older ones and Windows 10, but I
don't follow those groups.
I've never used this "system" as created by MS. It simply doesn't
offer a categorization/organization method/means that makes sense to
me. I know a lot of people have no problems with this method, which
is perfectly OK.
I'm currently resurrecting a Vista system for donation, and as I was
relocating the personal data folders from the boot partition to
another partition, it suddenly occurred to me... Why can't I create
my own special folders?
I started experimenting on the Vista system, and all went well until I
relocated the folder I created. No can do. I can put the folder
somewhere else manually, but it won't show up in the personal folders
area.
I'm still looking, but I found an article relating to Win 7 about
doing this, and apparently I need to create a "symbolic link" somehow,
using an elevated command windows.
I know nothing about symbolic links, so will have to start researching
this.
But I was wondering if anyone knows of a GUI utility that will do all
of this for me rather than a command line operation. Ideally, it
would insert itself into the OS in some manner, rather like the Add
Print Directory fix you can get from MS.
And does anyone know of a really simple article on symbolic links that
I can start from?
It would also be nice if I could add selected folders I create, or one
of the default folders, to the Start Menu.
Thanks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_link
"Windows symbolic link
Main article: NTFS symbolic link
Windows Vista and later support symbolic links for
both files and directories with the command line utility
mklink
Unlike junction points, a symbolic link can also point
to a file or remote Server Message Block (SMB) network path.
Additionally, the NTFS symbolic link implementation provides
full support for cross-filesystem links. However, the
functionality enabling cross-host symbolic links requires
that the remote system also support them, which effectively
limits their support to Windows Vista and later Windows
operating systems."
[Etc]
Seeing that this thread as become inordinately long, I checked the OP.
Here's my take on his plaintive plea.
Just make shortcuts. A shortcut is a symbolic link. Make as many as you
want, wherever you want. Make a folder of shortcuts, and make a shortcut
for it. Etc. The symbolic link as described is for access to other
computers. There are simpler ways of doing that once the computer is
part of a network such as Workgroup or Homegroup. But that's up to
whoever receives the donated computer.
It seems I've misled folks unintentionally, and I apologize for that.
The idea of adding personal folders was never intended to be for any
computer I donate. It's for my purposes and use, as were all the
library discussions I've had here. I've got a brother-in-law and a
nephew I'd pass the info to, but that's about all. G
I _strongly_ second Paul's philosophy section. Any computer you donate
should basically be in As Delivered condition. You can add a few
freebies, such as Firefox or Classic Media Player, but that's as far I
would go.
Remember the days of Win 95 and 98, when a computer came with some basic
software installed? Such as MS Works, Media Center, etc.? As most of
these folks can't afford a computer, it's fairly logical they can't
afford commercial software. So I install free stuff, like WPS Office
(formerly Kingsoft), VideoLAN, free AV usually Avira, etc.
Since I'm supplying the monitor, I change the resolution for the best
display the monitor can provide. Adjust icon spacing, etc. as needed,
different wallpaper (just for the fun of it, and it helps me remember
which account I'm in. LOL) Enable Clear Type. I've not looked, but I
suspect the settings of new computers are pretty much what I end up
having when done. I mean, would you really want a computer with 800 X
600 screen resolution. :-)
I set up basic accounts because of the malware issues these days, but a
tutorial of why it's done and how to properly use them is supplied with
the computer.
Likewise for the printer I supply.
The most radical thing I do is partition the hard drive, and move the
data storage to the new partition. Relocating those personal data files
LOL And the new owners get instructions on never putting files on
C:\. LOL
I probably spend more time writing the documentation than everything
else, as no two systems are identical. And I use the software installed
on the computer to give the new owners an inkling of what they can
actually accomplish with what they've just received, other than surfing
and email.
--
Ken
Mac OS X 10.8.5
Firefox 36.0.4
Thunderbird 31.5
"My brain is like lightning, a quick flash
and it's gone!"