Couple of Windows Annoyances (And How to Fix)

[kevinturcotte]

I'm running Windows Vista, and there are 2 main things that are driving me crazy, and I don't know how to fix them. Hoping somebody does.
First, whenever I try and save something, it wants to put it in "My Documents" or "My Pictures." Is there anyway to make the Desktop the Universal Save spot? I have NO use for "My" folders.
Second, when I open Folders, the View keeps getting changed from whatever I have it set to (Icons, List, Details) to other stuff. I'm the only one who uses to computer, and I'm not changing them. Anyway to make them stay how I want them?

[HIPAR]

With reference to the folder views:

That Icon default view is very difficult to navigate; I use the details view. Since Microsoft wants to sell you the same thing every few years I'm thinking you do the folder view the same way you do it with XP. On the control panel there is a Folder Options icon. You set up the folder you're viewing the way you want it to look and tell Windows to make all the folders look that way. With XP you can also do this from the Explorer.

If you want another view, for instance thumbnails for picture folders, just change the view of that folder. Windows remembers it for that particular folder.

I hope they made this easier for VISTA

--- CHAS

[johnzim63]

O Lord, Vista is horrible. I've been using Windows since the mid-80's, and this is by far the worst yet. I was lucky enough to avoid the hype and stick with XP. My buddy on the other hand... His printer drivers are bolixed up bigtime, and we can't seem to get his printer working. Of course, if you make your living by fixing messed up PC's, Vista is an absolute godsend! :rolleyes: :lol:

In short, the best way to fix your problem is to go back to XP.

[lpctv]

Is there anyway to make the Desktop the Universal Save spot? I have NO use for "My" folders.

There is - Actually there are a couple of ways. However, I'm not sure if you'll want to go "under the hood" to get it done. So, I'd suggest leveraging the instructions in Windows Help and Support.
Open help and just do a search for Folder Redirection.

As a side note: Pointing everything to the desktop may not really be a good idea. I realize it's a personal preference issue. However, you may want to just consider using another all-in-one folder location.

[LarryFlowers]

I'm running Windows Vista, and there are 2 main things that are driving me crazy, and I don't know how to fix them. Hoping somebody does.
First, whenever I try and save something, it wants to put it in "My Documents" or "My Pictures." Is there anyway to make the Desktop the Universal Save spot? I have NO use for "My" folders.
Second, when I open Folders, the View keeps getting changed from whatever I have it set to (Icons, List, Details) to other stuff. I'm the only one who uses to computer, and I'm not changing them. Anyway to make them stay how I want them?

Problem 1: If you are attempting to save documents created in any part of Microsoft Office, you can use the options settings to change the default file location to the desktop: WARNING Office creates many temp copies of files when you work on them. These are designated by replacing the first character of the file name with a ~. These are supposed to delete automatically when you save the file and close it, but it doesnt always occur. This could create alot of desktop clutter. If you want to move the whole Documents Folder to the Dektop, right click on Documents and select Properties. Click on the "location" tab and select the Move button and send it to the desktop.

Problem 2 requires a lengthy answer and I have created a separate thread to handle it since this is a common problem. You acutally can fix the folder view the way you want it see http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=121490

Hope this helps

[LarryFlowers]

O Lord, Vista is horrible. I've been using Windows since the mid-80's, and this is by far the worst yet. I was lucky enough to avoid the hype and stick with XP. My buddy on the other hand... His printer drivers are bolixed up bigtime, and we can't seem to get his printer working. Of course, if you make your living by fixing messed up PC's, Vista is an absolute godsend! :rolleyes: :lol:

In short, the best way to fix your problem is to go back to XP.

Great Solution go back to a 7 year old operating system... I'm sorry you haven't given Vista a chance. Thats what happens when you read the hype.

As to your buddy with the printer problems... what model printer? Is it so old that the manufacturer didn't provide drivers for Vista? If the manufacturer did provide drivers for Vista then what problem is he specifically having? Post a model number of the printer and lets see if we can find a solution.

Dont criticise Windows Vista if you haven't tried it. If you believe everything you read on line about Vista, I can tell you right now, most of the complaints are written by people who dont know what they are talking about or are Mac and Linux fanboys who universally hate Microsoft..

I have the right to say it... at last count nearly 300 Vista upgrades or installs on new hardware. Successfully. A handful of driver issues.. ALL RESOLVED. Two printers abandoned in the process.

[bhelton71]

Great Solution go back to a 7 year old operating system... I'm sorry you haven't given Vista a chance. Thats what happens when you read the hype.

As to your buddy with the printer problems... what model printer? Is it so old that the manufacturer didn't provide drivers for Vista? If the manufacturer did provide drivers for Vista then what problem is he specifically having? Post a model number of the printer and lets see if we can find a solution.

Dont criticise Windows Vista if you haven't tried it. If you believe everything you read on line about Vista, I can tell you right now, most of the complaints are written by people who dont know what they are talking about or are Mac and Linux fanboys who universally hate Microsoft..

I have the right to say it... at last count nearly 300 Vista upgrades or installs on new hardware. Successfully. A handful of driver issues.. ALL RESOLVED. Two printers abandoned in the process.

Larry I am guessing you will get a kick out of this ?:
http://reg.itworld.com/servlet/Frs.frs?Context=LOGENTRY&Source=entdesk080102&Source_BC=13&Script=/LP/80276783/reg&

Anyway I am sure there is a large contingent of people who are fanboys, etc. But I do think MS somewhat under-estimated basic human resistance to change. Think about how incremental the changes in the Windows OS was from 3.0 to XP - very small changes. Then the change from XP to Vista was huge - and add to that the number of 'versions' and I think I can understand some consumer resistance. And while not true at the present - in the beginning a number of h/w suppliers didn't get their act together and provide decent driver support which just added more fuel. And you know those are the stories that propogate on the internet - not the success stories.