Windows Explorer

I have read numerous comments online concering the confusion of where 'my' Documents are stored. The 'user' files leave me baffled, along with OneNote and Cloud -- I just want something simple. I want to know exactly where all my correspondence and spreadsheets are on my computer. I have often fallen into the trap of writing a new Word document (for example) save it and then cannot find it. An hour later 'oh there it is in a user folder' which is exactly where I do not want it to be.
This morning a 'penny has dropped' by chance, and this may be a way forward.
Firstly I have a DOCUMENTS folder on my Desktop and have named it My Docs -- so all folders and files are saved there.
Whereas Word, Excel, Control Panel and Outlook have shortcuts in the Task manager bar - bottom of screen, it is not possible to have a shortcut to Documents there.
BUT, what I noticed this morning, if I click on My Docs a shortcut does appear so that is an easy route to find your own files and it stays there while you use other functions - although it sometimes disappears and I have no idea why. So a folder named My Docs will be where you save YOUR files.

Although these may find there way to a 'users' folder as well, this can be ignored -- if that's how the program works well, fine, but please don't confuse me.

The next issue - 'where' to save Word and Excel files ? Choose 'save' under File - type in name of the item (Letter.04' for example) and immediately under that 'Word Document' is there by default -- if you want a PDF version scroll down under Word Dcument in the same box and choose PDF.
Now, the next move is vital: click on 'More options' and this opens up a very confusing screen - but don't panic. At the very top is a vertical arrow -- pointing upwards, next to 'This PC' - click it twice and it shows the Desktop - a new window shows Gallery, Cloud drive, Cloud Photos, Desktop etc and THIS is where you will see 'My Docs' in Desktop-- your own files under your control. Interestingly, My Docs are also in this window, a bit lower down, and the name confirms they ARE your own files.

If you create a local account, all user files are stored in C:\Users\username where username is the name of your user. If you create a Microsoft account (default in Windows 11, unless you bypass this requirement and create a local user instead), then your files are stores in OneDrive, but you can either convert to local account or disable storing your data in OneDrive (see Tutorials section).

I created a new partion for all documents...Word, Excel and PDF. I'm using Word and Excel 2007 and simply modified the default folders for both Word & Excel to point to the new folders in the new partition. Do the newer versions of Word and Excel not have this option?

GrahamLN said:

The next issue - 'where' to save Word and Excel files ?

Click to expand...

Save the default location in Word / Excel 'Options' . . .

Word . . .



. . . & Excel . . .

rk911 said:

Do the newer versions of Word and Excel not have this option?

Click to expand...

Yes they do see message #4

With a local account the default location is your Documents folder. No need to change any settings.