If I might add...
When you create a new logon user, WinXP will copy everything that's located
in the
<C:\Documents and Settings\Default User> folder
over to a new folder that gets named whatever the name of the new user is.
The "Default User" is a folder that is created by XP when XP is first
installed.
This folder is a system hidden folder, so to see it, from windows explorer,
select the "tools" menu>Folder options then select the "view" tab.
Scroll down abit and highlight "view hidden files and folders", then select
"apply" and "okay".
Now navigate to "C:\Documents and Settings" via windows explorer.
You should see all the logon users. "Administrator" "All Users" "Default
User", the one that was created when you first installed Windows and then
the ones you've recently created for your family members.
You might see a few others as well, you might leave these be.
Now, to repeat myself, whenever you create a new logon user, windows will
copy everything that resides within the "Default User" folder (and
sub-folders) over to a new folder under a new name that you chose when you
created the new user. Then WindowsXP will create a "My Documents folder"
under the new user. (Default User does not have a "My Documents" folder).
The new "My Documents" folder will be pretty much empty as you've found out.
So where are all of your files...?
They should be located in the "My Documents" folder under the logon user
name that was created when you first installed Windows. Did you give your
computer a name when you first got it?
Might be abit tedious, but you could "move" the individual files over to the
"My Documents" folder for the user that claims the files as theirs. You
probably will need to be logged on as the user that all of you have been
using in the past. This user probably as administrative rights, as all of
the personal files will be "owned" by that user and will have full rights
and privileges to the file.
Now, where are all your desktop shortcuts...?
Pretty much the same thing, but look in the "Desktop" folder for each user.
Not only does everyone have their own "My Documents" folder, but they also
have the own desktop, wallpaper and many other personal settings and
appearances, that is, once they change it from whets provided by the initial
settings from the "default user" profile.
Now bear in mind, you have the "All Users" folder. Anybody and everybody
that logs on will have access to what is located in these folders.
Therefore, if you (or an application) has a desktop shortcut that should be
seen on everybody's desktop. This is where it will be located.
If someone in your family has some vacation pictures they want everybody to
see in their "My Documents". They can put the file in their "Shared Files"
folder. They will still "own" the file, but others will be able to see them
but not delete them.
You may run into problems regarding file rights and privileges when you try
to "move" the files or transfer ownership of the files. I really don't know
much about file ownership issues, never really had a need to. So I might be
leaving out some important information (do's-and-don'ts).
GreenieLeBrun posted a link to read up on "rights and privileges" for
personal files.
I would probably need to read this too!
Different user log-on accounts in the family environment has alot of
benefits, everybody can set their own personal likes and dislike, anything
from having a different wallpaper to different screen resolutions to
different internet favorites to different email in/out boxes and so-on and
so-on.
Now if file ownership is a big enough of an issue to convince you to delete
the users you've already created and just go back to the way things were. I
would wonder what might happen if you "move" the files to the "Shared
Documents" folder of the log-on user who owns the file. (Remember the name
you gave the computer when you first got it?). This way, the original owner
maintains ownership, however, everybody will have access to the files.
(Someone please correct me here if I'm getting off base)
Anyway... hope you find a way to achieve your desired end results.
Hope some of this is helpful!
PS. Don't forget to go back to the "tools" menu>Folder options> then select
the "view" tab. Scroll down abit and highlight "Do Not Show Hidden Files
and Folders", then select "apply" and "okay" to set things back the way it
was.
Best regards,
Richard in Va.
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