Why I Avoid Windows Standard Folders

Another reason I avoid saving my documents in the Microsoft default folders, is that the default folders are in the C: drive (where the OS is installed). I've learned since my first pc days, back in 1996, to always create at least a second partition where to save my documents, that is to immunize my documents in case a virus would infect my OS drive. And also I find it easier to backup my documents this way and clone or make image of my OS drive separately.

I never understood why these folders existed. I already had folders for videos, pictures, etcetera. The explanation is appreciated and I’m glad I never used these default folders. I’m so tired of being jerked around by Microsoft that I’ve started transitioning my computers to Linux—starting with the Windows 11 one. I’m enjoying getting control; Computers will be fun again.

You have made my day - I got so confused with the one drive thing I accidently deleted a heap of files to free up space - only to realise that I had actually deleted the document folder files as well. I actually reinstalled the Windows and Office and uninstalled the One Drive App full stop. Your video is perfect in explaining this. Well done

Thank you for explaining. I've had an ongoing struggle with this and now I know exactly what to do.

I leave the Desktop folder where it is, but all the others are on a drive other than C. OneDrive was deleted long ago.

I use my own set of folders for over 10 years now, mainly because of ease of making back up's. Can't stand the assumptions of Windows, other software and AI to decide how and where to handle my files.

Cracking video, Leo, so many people are completely lost about folder location, locally and OneDrive that they just dont attempt to do anything, just leave all alone. You have given a brilliant insight into how to take control of the situation, with useful caveats. Thanks for this.

MS doesn't help the situation when these standard folders are for the C drive. My C drive is only 256 GB. I don't keep my music or pictures there. I keep them on my RAID 1 HDDs which is safer than the C drive.

When Windows introduced "Libraries" I folded up the library options and never touched them again. Instead, I installed a new drive and created documents, music, pictures etc in a folder structure there and created shortcuts to them in Quick Access. I changed the default storage folder for all software installed to point to the new path on the new drive in a new folder. I did the same for any software I installed. The new drive was/is backed up to an external drive periodically. I changed the This PC landing page to reflect the new setup. (but that's a whole other story)

My biggest problem with the quick access folders is the lack of expansion. I like a directory tree, not a buffet. Also, the one time I tried to embrace one drive, years ago, is still haunting me.

I've done this for about a decade. The reason is that I don't store my data on my C-drive. On the drive that I do store my data, I made folders called 01 Pictures, 02 Documents, 03 Music and 04 Videos. The numbers prefixing the name ensure that they stay in order and stay at the top of the directory. I also have nothing to do with OneDrive. There is actually no such thing as the "Cloud" - it's just a fancy term for "someone else's computer".

Thanks for the info. I want my Word files to be easy to find and to access for sharing. Ever since my war against Onedrive started, organizing my files has not been easy.

What MS is doing, as much as I don't like them, makes sense. A backup does no good if you aren't backing up where your files are...

Reading through the comments so far, I don't get the impression people are understanding what Leo is suggesting. He's not talking about moving the "documents" folder to another loacation. He is saying to ignore it outright and make your own folder in a different location for your documents. The best way to do this is to partition your drive in to C: and D: Windows won't go into D: as long as you don't try to move the folders. On D: make your own documents (pictures, videos, music, etc) folder. If you don't partition your drive you can simply go to C:\ and make a folder that is completely outside the C:\Users hierarchy ... eg. C:\Home ... then inside that folder make your own documents (etc) folders. As Leo explains these self-created folder hierarchies are beyond Windows reach, so you can organize them and maintain them as you wish... without any meddling from automated processes. That is .... don't move the Windows folders... Ignore them .... Make your own.

Not only that, if you get malware, ransomware or get hacked, they may target the docs folder. I have a separate folder on a non-OS drive where my important files and docs are kept.

If you use "restore points" is another reason. These folders are treated almost as "system" folders, mainly the desktop, so it is very likely that you will lose files restoring the system to a previous state. The desktop should be always used as a temporary intermediate for files, never their permanent destination.

I removed OneDrive after I lost months’ worth of work creating data files that were saved to OneDrive by default. Never could figure out where they went!

I haven't used these folders since Windows XP. I always partition my hdd/ssd for os and data separately...

When I started with my first computer I read some instructions that told me how to make a folder on the hard drive and give it any name I wanted. I used this method to store all my data and I often wondered why there was a Documents folder and what went into the Pictures folder. I have a system that works for me at present.

Thanks Leo for all of your great help over the years. Keep up the great work!