How to move/copy user files to external hard disc (wall or usb powered) so that productivity applications default-save to the external hard disc (virtual drive) folder via ...

quite a bit of "what if's there" lol

First of all, yes you CAN re-direct the 'my documents' folder to another location....be it on an internal or external drive volume. This requires careful adjustments to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folder

when you do this, you can assign any path to the "my documents" folder, (and also the others listed,) this will be a permanent change and will cause that path to be the new destination for files saved to 'my documents' by the OS. the actual path does not HAVE to even have the word 'documents' in it...you could call it E:\bubbles if you want.

You would continue to 'save' your new docs to 'my documents', the OS would just be interpreting a new and different destination for the Save.

Should that resource become unavailable, you would have to perform a 'save-as' and then specify a valid save location.

If you are doing this because of limited space on your C-drive, well and good, but if not, then consider Drive synchronization software instead.
These software programs allow you to specify single, or multiple folders, to copy files. you would set it up to copy from your pc to the same-named folder(s) on the external drive, and to propagate changes....so it will save files that are new or changed and delete files that were deleted, (this can be suppressed.)

One of the pitfalls of using USB devices is that drive letters are typically assigned automatically. If you do not manually assign a drive letter that is not typically accessed by the fist say....4 USB drives, it is possible for the PC to become confused and start putting files to the wrong USB device. So assign your external a high drive letter like P for portable, and don't forget to include that in the new 'path' you put in the registry.

I hope that answered your questions.

The answer is simple. Where files are saved by default is determined by the options you set in the software application. For example in Word, go into "File" , choose options and look for "save" on the left side. Then navigate to the drive and folder where you want your docs saved to, and make it the default. Same goes for Excel, and other apps

With backup software, users can save their data and files by backing their files and storing them on a hard drive. On the other hand, with synchronization software, users can synchronize their backed up data to make sure that the data on their system and USB drive is same, so that a copy of the data is maintained on an external drive as well.

You will loose all data you have put on the computer. When you turn it on right at the beginning there is a black screen and there are a few f key options.
They will flash up with the option when you turned it on, before windows kicks in. Take a look at the user manual to find out for sure.
Press the correct f key before windows starts up, then go through the menus in setup (it will look all crappy and dos like) and find restore factory settings (or something like that) and click yes.
It's a great feature, and will completely kill any virus or **** problems you have had and couldn't get rid of.
Hope this helps. I would appreciate your feed back as I do this for fun not pay.

Assuming the thumb drive is working and the computer's ports are working and has sufficient space, you use the drive like a floppy disc. Plug it in and wait until the computer recognizes it. Either edit the document in the appropriate program and then save it to the USB drive (for most File > Save As, choose location and name the file (if needed) and then click Save or OK).

Alternatively, use the File Explorer (in Windows) and navigate to the directory where the file is stored (Computer (My Computer) > Users/(user_id)/My Documents (or My Pictures or whatever folder) is the default for many applications these days). Left click on the file and drag to the USB drive on the left column (under Computer); it should default to asking if you.

You can also can right click to select move or copy. (Using two File Explorer windows (one for the hard drive's directory and one for the thumb drive) is also an option and will let you check the dates on the file(s) if you want that information and have File Explorer giving the details.)

When done, click on Safely Remove Hardware (in the taskbar) or right click and select Eject (in the File Explorer). When the computer signals that you can remove the drive, do so. (If you skip this step, you may remove the drive while data is being written and loose part of the document.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

I think you are asking about applications like MS-Office. Then surely you can transfer applications to external hard disc.
But for that you need to reinstall that applications. On instalation the application will ask you for the path for instalation. Then select the path as your external harddisc. This will complete the instalation and create shortcut on your desktop or Start - Programs.
Very important thing is if you want to run such applications you need to verify that the external hard disk is connected and working properly.

Thanks&Regards,
Current009

If it is helpfull to you then vote for me ......!!!!

May I know the Model # of the External Hard Drive?

You can directly copy the data that you want to backup and paste it in the external Hard Drive. You can also right click on the folder/data and select sent to option--->and then select the external hard drive (a drive letter will be assigned to the external hard drive also).

You should use a flash drive just like a floppy disc (if all you do with it is transfer files). Insert the USB stick into a USB port; watch for a message about found new hardware and then ready to use. Either drag and drop the file from hard disc to the USB stick (depending on your system it could be drive E:) in the File Explorer (in Windows use a right click to ensure a copy file, not a move file) or File > Save As and change the default location in PowerPoint. When done with the file transfer, click on Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media in the System Tray or Eject in the Explorer (My Computer).

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

According to other sources (in Afterdawn) the problem lies with the media. Memorex
(Ritek) have apparently dumped a lot of cheap quality media into the market which
do not have a smooth layer transfer. Apart from that, I also noticed several badly
recorded discs (compared to some Mitsubishi discs I had earlier). Apparently these
are meant for the cheap Asian copy market (Ritek statement - search Internet
reviews). I now have to save up enough in order to buy those expensive Verbatim
discs (or use DVDShrink).

Personally, I feel that the disc manufacturers should get together with companies
like Nero and manufacturers of burners to solve such problems before dumping it onto
the consumers. This is irresponsible marketing (very common today).