Are you working on documents that need to be saved on a network drive? Or in a subfolder of a subfolder of a subfolder? Or are you working on a project or event where you need to constantly save or access documents to that folder? Create a favorite or shortcut!! You can create shortcuts in many places and in many ways, I will show you two of the most popular ways.
Create a desktop shortcut
As I’ve gone around to different computers, I’ve seen that people LOVE to save things to the desktop. Why? Because it can be one of the quickest ways to access a document. I’ll admit I used to do it too, but I broke myself of that bad habit (mostly), you should too! So how do you keep the convenience of accessing your files quickly but not have them saved on your desktop? Create a shortcut on your desktop to that folder or file!
- How-To Video: http://screencast.com/t/o57v1uky9g
- Step by Step Instructions: http://windows.about.com/od/windowsforbeginners/ss/Creating-Shortcuts-Saves-Time_all.htm
Side Note: For those of you who have had a file server or have moved to the new file server, you know that documents should be saved on the file server, not on your local computer. Why? Computers aren’t invincible, they can malfunction or be dropped and damaged. If your computer decides that today is the day that it will never turn on again, what happens to all of your files that weren’t saved on the server? You can ask your friendly IT person to try and recover them, but there’s the chance they won’t be recoverable.
Create a Favorite in Windows Explorer
Making a folder a favorite in Windows Explorer is a great time saver when you need to constantly open or save documents to a certain folder. Please remember that when you do the following, you are not copying, moving or deleting the folder. You are simply adding (or deleting) a shortcut to that folder.
- Step by Step Instructions: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/10357/add-your-own-folders-to-favorites-in-windows-7/
- How-To Video: http://screencast.com/t/MgrH0y4jX
- Opening/Saving from that shortcut: http://screencast.com/t/9DUQpVew
I don’t recommend adding too many folders under your Favorites, it will defeat the purpose of being able to quickly find and access that folder. When your project/event is over, you can simply remove that folder from your Favorites and add your next project/event folder to your Favorites! J
Side Note: "Windows Explorer" (also called “File Explorer”) is Microsoft's basic file manager. "Internet Explorer" is Microsoft's web browser (the big blue E).