Configuration of the My Documents folder (2024)

Summary

The My Documents folder is a component of the user profile that is used as a unified location for storing personal data. By default, the My Documents folder is a folder in the user's profile that is used as a default storage location for saved documents.

If you are an administrator, you can use folder redirection in a group policy to modify the location of My Documents to reside on a network share. When users save documents to the My Documents folder, the files are actually saved on an assigned network location and can be backed up by the administrator.

More Information

The path to the My Documents folder is stored in the following registry key, where complete path to storage location is the path to your storage location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

Value Name: Personal
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: complete path to storage location
Any modification from the default is recorded in the following location and the preceding path is also updated:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Value Name: Personal
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: complete path to storage locationIf you redirect My Documents by using group policy folder redirection, the path is present in this value and the option to modify the location of the My Documents folder is not available when you view properties of the My Documents folder.

How to Change the My Documents Folder Storage Location

When the properties of the My Documents folder (the desktop icon) are displayed and a group policy has not been established to redirect the folder, you can change the path to the My Documents folder and you can move the contents from the old location to the new location:

  1. Right-click My Documents (on the desktop), and then click Properties.

  2. In the Target box, type the new path to the My Documents folder, or click Move to browse to the folder and if needed, create a new My Documents folder. If the path you type does not exist, you are prompted to confirm that you want to create a new folder.

  3. Click Yes to move files from the old My Documents location to the new location, or click No if you do not want to move these files. Note that if you click No, the files in the old location are not deleted, but they are no longer visible from My Documents after the change.

Restoring the Default My Documents Path

If the current My Documents path is incorrect or is no longer available, you can use the Restore Default option to restore the default path:

NOTE: This option is not displayed when group policy folder redirection is in effect for this folder.

  1. Right-click My Documents (on the desktop), and then click Properties.

  2. Click Restore Default.

    The following registry value is used to determine the default location based on the user's profile and appends "\My Documents" to form a complete path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\user ID

    Value Name: ProfileImagePath
    Value Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
    where user ID is the appropriate user ID.

Configuration of the My Documents folder (2024)

FAQs

What is the My Documents folder? ›

The My Documents folder is a component of the user profile that is used as a unified location for storing personal data. By default, the My Documents folder is a folder in the user's profile that is used as a default storage location for saved documents.

How do I arrange folders in My Documents? ›

How to Organize Folders and Files in Windows
  1. Click to highlight the folder or file to move.
  2. Click the Home tab. ...
  3. Move the folder or file by clicking Move to. ...
  4. Click Choose location if the desired folder isn't listed. ...
  5. Choose the destination folder, and then click Move.

Where is My Documents folder on my phone? ›

On your phone, you can usually find your files in the Files app .

Why Does My Documents folder say OneDrive? ›

This is because you backed up your documents with OneDrive. Please open your OneDrive settings, in "Backup - Manage Backups", uncheck "Documents".

What are the types of folder? ›

What are the different types of folders? There are six main types of folders: file folders, hanging file folders, expanding file folders, classification folders, zip folders, and pocket folders.

What is the use of my computer and My Documents? ›

Not to be confused with a written document, My Documents and Documents are Microsoft Windows folders that store computer documents and other files associated with programs on your computer. For example, when saving a file in Microsoft Word, the default folder is My Documents.

What is the importance of organizing files and folders? ›

By organizing subfolders by year, it will be easier to locate past versions of files. It will also be easier to quickly delete older files that you no longer need from previous years. By creating the organized structure, you will place all of your documents into the folder structure that you have designed.

How do you create a folder? ›

Create a folder
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Drive app.
  2. At the bottom right, tap Add .
  3. Tap Folder.
  4. Name the folder.
  5. Tap Create.

How do I open My Documents? ›

Find your documents in Windows
  1. Search from the taskbar: Type the name of a document (or a keyword from it) into the search box on the taskbar. ...
  2. Search File Explorer: Open File Explorer from the taskbar or select and hold the Start menu (or right-click), select File Explorer , then select a search location:

What is Documents app on my phone? ›

The Documents app is the most capable application on your iOS device. It's the hub for all your files. Our app replaces a document viewer, PDF reader, "read it later", music and video player, file downloader, cloud integrator, and other useful applications – in one elegant app experience.

How do I access My Documents on Android? ›

How to use Google Docs
  1. Step 1: Download the Google Docs app. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play app . Find the Google Docs app . ...
  2. Step 2: Get started. Create a document. ...
  3. Step 3: Share & work with others. You can share files and folders with people and choose whether they can view, edit, or comment on them.

How Do I Stop My Documents folder from syncing to OneDrive? ›

Stop syncing a library
  1. Right-click the OneDrive for work or school icon. ...
  2. Select the folder you want to stop syncing, and then click Stop syncing.
  3. Click Yes to agree to permanently stop syncing the folder, and then click OK.

How do I stop OneDrive from using My Documents folder? ›

Go to PC Settings, using the PC Settings tile in the Start menu, or swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings, and then select Change PC settings. Under PC settings, select OneDrive. On the File Storage tab, turn off the switch at Save documents to OneDrive by default.

What is the difference between my files and our files in OneDrive? ›

Files means that there are the certain files stored in the shared folder A from user A. While "Our Files" shows all shared files which are shared by user A.

What is difference between file and document? ›

a file is a named collection of information that is recorded on some kind of storage device, while a document is a type of file that has been created by a particular software application, and can be manipulated by that application (e.g. a word processing document).

What is called a folder? ›

A folder, also called a directory, is a space used to store files, other folders, and shortcuts on a computer.

How do you create a file? ›

Create a file
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides app.
  2. In the bottom right, tap Create .
  3. Choose whether to use a template or create a new file. The app will open a new file.

How do I manage My Documents? ›

Effective File Management
  1. Avoid saving unnecessary documents. ...
  2. Follow a consistent method for naming your files and folders. ...
  3. Store related documents together, whatever their type. ...
  4. Separate ongoing work from completed work. ...
  5. Avoid overfilling folders. ...
  6. Organize documents by date. ...
  7. Make digital copies of paper documents.

Where is the documents folder in word? ›

If you are viewing a Microsoft Word document and want to know its location, simply click the File tab in the top left corner of your document. Then go ahead and select info on the left side of the workspace. Just below the document's heading, you will see the file path to the document.

Why is it important to organize the documents? ›

Keeps Documents Safe. A business can be responsible for many important documents and it's essential that they are stored in a safe place. An organized filing system can keep these important documents safe because, if they're stored away in a specific place, then you're less likely to lose or misplace a document!

How do you store important documents? ›

Safe deposit box

Most banks or credit unions offer safe deposit boxes. Some banks will offer a discount if you're a current customer as well. A safe deposit box is perfect for storing original documents, like birth certificates, wills, social security information, annual tax returns, and power of attorney.

How do you explain folder structure? ›

A folder structure is the way folders are organized on your computer. As folders are added over time, you can either keep them at the same level—like Folders 1, 2, and 3 in the chart below—or nest them within each other for a hierarchy—like Subfolders 1B and 1B-1 below.

How do I manage files and folders? ›

Every Windows folder provides easy access to common file and folder management tasks. When you open any folder on your computer, a list of hyperlinked tasks is displayed next to the folder contents. You can select a file or folder, and then click a task to rename, copy, move, or delete it.

How do I open a folder? ›

Double-click a folder.

How do I organize my apps? ›

On an iPhone or Android device, gently place your finger on an icon and drag it on top of another app. The phone will automatically create a folder containing those two apps. Tap Done. To add apps into an existing folder, drag an app into that folder.

How do I open a new file on my computer? ›

Right click anywhere on your desktop or inside an Explorer window, then highlight New. Select the new file type you want, and click it. If you want to create a new file of a type not included in this list, you'll have to create it from within the program you're using.

What are the type of Documents? ›

Types of documents
  • Structured text. Frequently asked questions and answers.
  • Unstructured text. HTML files. Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. Microsoft Word documents. Plain text documents. PDFs.

How do you search in a document? ›

To open the Find pane from the Edit View, press Ctrl+F, or click Home > Find. Find text by typing it in the Search the document for… box.

Which app keep all Documents? ›

DigiLocker – A simple and secure document wallet for Citizens. DigiLocker is a key initiative under Digital India, the Government of India's flagship program aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

What app opens Documents? ›

Acrobat Reader is simple to install. But, if you don't want to download the app, there are other options available to you. Google PDF Viewer will appear as an option on your Android device when you try to open a PDF, or you can select Files by Google.

Why can't I open my Documents on my phone? ›

If a file won't open, a few things could be wrong: You don't have permission to view the file. You're signed in to a Google Account that doesn't have access. The correct app isn't installed on your phone.

How do I edit a document in Google Drive? ›

You can add and edit text, paragraphs, spacing, and more in a document.
...
To edit a document:
  1. On your computer, open a document in Google Docs.
  2. To select a word, double-click it or use your cursor to select the text you want to change.
  3. Start editing.
  4. To undo or redo an action, at the top, click Undo. or Redo. .

How do I edit a Google document? ›

Step 1: On your Android phone or tablet, open a document in the Google Docs app. Step 2: After opening a file tap Edit. Step 3: Next to select a word, double-tap it.

What happens if I uninstall OneDrive? ›

You won't lose any data by uninstalling OneDrive. Your OneDrive folder will stop syncing, but any files or data you have in OneDrive will still be available when you sign in at OneDrive.com.

Should I disable OneDrive? ›

Windows 10 comes with the OneDrive app preinstalled and ready to go. However, you might consider disabling the app for various reasons, including preventing constant file syncs, cleaning up the Windows file explorer or protecting your data from certain types of cybercrime.

Why do my documents keep saving to OneDrive? ›

In Windows 10, OneDrive is the default save location for your files and documents. This means new documents or files are automatically saved to OneDrive unless you opt to save them to a different location on your PC.

How do I remove OneDrive from computer but not OneDrive? ›

Delete from your OneDrive but not your hard drive

If you want to keep a file, photo, or folder on your computer, but not on OneDrive, use File Explorer (or Mac Finder, if you're on a Mac) to move the file outside your OneDrive folder to a different folder on your hard drive.

How do I move files from OneDrive to my computer? ›

#1.

You can see all your saved files in your OneDrive account. Step 2: Look for the file you want to move, right-click on it, and click "Copy". Go to the folder where you want to move your file, right-click and select "Paste". The file will be imported in some time and ready to be used after that.

How do I delete OneDrive but not my computer? ›

How do I Delete OneDrive Files without Deleting Them from My PC? It is very easy to remove files from OneDrive but not from computer. You can just open File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac, and then move the target files outside the OneDrive folder to a different folder on your computer hard drive.

Can anyone see my files on OneDrive? ›

The files on your OneDrive are private until you share them. Keep in mind that when you share folders with Edit permissions, people you share with can add the shared folders to their own OneDrive.

Should I save all my files to OneDrive? ›

If you're working on a file by yourself, save it to OneDrive. Your OneDrive files are private unless you share them with others, which is particularly useful if you haven't created a team yet.

Can I use both OneDrive and Google Drive? ›

What if you could use both Microsoft OneDrive as well as Google Drive to simultaneously backup your files at once in both places? If you are wondering, then yes, it is certainly possible to do that with the help of Microsoft Flow. Keep reading this article to know how to sync OneDrive and Google Drive.

Can I delete My Documents folder? ›

Delete from the file menu

Open My Computer or Windows Explorer. Locate and select the file or folder you want to delete, click File in the top menu bar, and select Delete. If the File menu is not visible in My Computer or Windows Explorer, press Alt to make the menu bar visible, including the file menu.

How do I get into My Documents? ›

Showing Documents through Windows Explorer

Open Windows Explorer. Double-click the This PC icon. Click the Documents folder.

Is My Documents on the C drive? ›

Windows uses special folders like, My Documents, for quick access to files, but are stored on the system drive (C:), alongside the Windows operating system.

Is Documents and My Documents the same thing? ›

My Documents is the commonly recognized name of a special folder in Microsoft Windows (starting with Windows Vista, it is called Documents only, and the actual name of the folder might be different when the language of the installed copy of Windows is not English).

What happens if I delete Documents? ›

To remove a file, you can put it in your trash. Your file will stay there until you empty your trash. If you're the owner of the file, others can view it until you permanently delete the file. If you're not the owner, others can see the file even if you empty your trash.

How do I delete all of my Documents? ›

Step 1: Hold your keyboard's Ctrl key and left-click on the files that you want to delete. Step 2: Continue until all the files have been selected. Step 3: Use the Shift key for the first file and last file chain selection. Step 4: After the files have been selected, right-click on them.

How do I clean up my Documents folder in Windows? ›

Click Start > File Explorer > This PC (Windows 10). Right-click your main hard drive (usually the C: drive) and select Properties. Click the Disk Cleanup button and you'll see a list of items that can be removed, including temporary files and more. For even more options, click Clean up system files.

How do I open a document file? ›

Right-click the file you want to open. In the pop-up menu, select the Open with option. If available, choose the Microsoft Word program option in the Open with menu. If Microsoft Word is not listed, select the Choose other app or Choose default program option, depending on the version of Windows on your computer.

How do I view Documents? ›

View your files
  1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
  2. On the bottom, tap Browse .
  3. Tap a category. You'll see files from that category in a list.
  4. To change how the files display, tap Grid view . To go back to a list, tap List view .
  5. Optional: To sort your files, on the top right, tap More . Select Sort by.

Should I store files on C or D drive? ›

Because the C: Drive has the Operating system installed, it's more likely to break when doing a Windows update or even just when having a regular driver issue. It's best to have your important files on a secondary (D:) drive that you can keep using or extract data from, even if your main Drive or OS breaks.

Should I save files on C drive or D drive? ›

Most computers will automatically save your data to the hard drive, usually known as the C drive. This is the most common place to store files.

Are Documents on C or D? ›

C drive in windows contain all users information. Including user's Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Videos and more.

What are documents examples? ›

Here are some common examples of documents:
  • letters.
  • sales invoices.
  • wills and deeds.
  • newspaper issues.
  • individual newspaper stories.
  • oral history recordings.
  • executive orders.
  • meeting minutes.

Which subfolders will you find in the My Documents folder? ›

In my Documents folder, Windows automatically creates a Picture, Music, Videos and Downloads subfolder.

Why is it called a document? ›

The word originates from the Latin Documentum, which denotes a "teaching" or "lesson": the verb doceō denotes "to teach". In the past, the word was usually used to denote written proof useful as evidence of a truth or fact.

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