Where should I move my 60 GB of desktop data folders to?

UofLouie · 13 Dec 2017

Being an old DOS prompt/command window guy, I was confused by the file structure in my Windows 10 Pro system and put all of my data files into 4 folders on the desktop. Foolish, so I'm told. When I look in File Explorer, I only see two 'root' folders: Quick Access and Desktop.

Under Desktop, there are 8 'standard' sub-folders, e.g. OneDrive, This PC, Recycle Bin, etc. The four folders I store all of my 60 GB of data in are also listed there. I realize now that was wrong and want to fix that.

When I dig down from Desktop into This PC I see This PC > Windows (C:) > User > Larry > Desktop! If I'm supposed to move the files from my Desktop to someplace on Drive C: or perhaps create a new partition for them, where I should put them?

NOTE: Somehow a happy face emoticon was inserted into my post when I typed the letter C followed by a colon and I can't seem to get rid of it.

Once I have the answer that that questions., I'm not clear on whether I should copy them to the new location and delete them from the desktop, move them to the new location, or something else. According to 'My Settings', This PC (C:) has a 238 GB SSD hard drive with 123 GB used and 114 GB free. I believe I have one C: partition.

Any recommendations or referral to accurate resources that can help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

Samuria · 13 Dec 2017

Welcome to the forum. What sort of files are they is photos Doc's etc. Photos you could upload to Google photos which has unlimited size Doc's and other could go to one drive or Google drive which gives you 15 big or more each then everything is safe and you can remove from the PC

swarfega · 13 Dec 2017

Hi and welcome to the forums.

Quick access isn't a folder per se, its just a convenient navigation point. Usually your desktop folder by default is in C:\Users\your account\Desktop.

Are you talking about relocating folders like documents and pictures? If so they shouldn't be in the desktop folder but the folder below it in C:\Users\your account.

I would suggest copying the files into the new locations rather than moving them in case any issues arrise. Then once your happy, you can delete the old files.

UofLouie · 13 Dec 2017

Thanks to Samuria and swarfega.

The files are mostly Microsoft Office files like word documents, excel spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, etc. There are some photos and audio files, and those are probably less than 2 or 3 % of what's being stored.

swarfega are you suggesting I create one or more new folders in the following location:
This PC > Windows (C:) > Users > Larry > [new folder(s)]
and copying those files to them?

alphanumeric · 13 Dec 2017

If you click the "go advanced" option lower right, you will then get a "Disable smiles in text" option bottom of page under the post box.

What I did was create new folders for Documents, Pictures, Music etc on a separate drive/partition. Then I go to my user folders like Documents, right click and select properties. Then I go to the location tab, and change the location to where I put my new folders. I click change location and move contents.
Documents Folder - Move Location in Windows 10

UofLouie · 13 Dec 2017

TY alphanumeric

swarfega · 13 Dec 2017

UofLouie said:

Thanks to Samuria and swarfega.

The files are mostly Microsoft Office files like word documents, excel spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, etc. There are some photos and audio files, and those are probably less than 2 or 3 % of what's being stored.

swarfega are you suggesting I create one or more new folders in the following location:
This PC > Windows (C:) > Users > Larry > [new folder(s)]
and copying those files to them?

If they're Office files then they should probably go to c:\users\larry\documents.

You could potentially put the audio files into c:\users\larry\music.

Eagle51 · 13 Dec 2017

Hey UofLouie,
It's really down to personal preference, as there is nothing wrong with having folders on your desktop. With that said, if you're just wanting cleanup/organize things a little better ... you can use windows default folders ...
This PC -> (Documents,Music,Pictures,Videos) and create any sub folders under those that you may need/want.

Example:
My Documents Folder has sub folders for Word, Excel, TurboTax, etc
My Pictures Folder has sub folders for Family, Friends, Grandkids, etc.
My Music Folder has sub folders for each of the Band Names (Kansas, Pink Floyd, etc)

Note: As already mentioned, copy your files first to the new locations and once satisfied, then you can delete those folders on your desktop.

elbmek · 13 Dec 2017

welcome U - I was only looking at the new small ex drives in the shops, cheapish and such mega loads can be downloaded and stored. Saw a 6TB drive for £75. amazing solid state drive. I'll ask my wife where I saw it - her words were - well, your not having it!!!!

elbmek · 13 Dec 2017

Eagle51 said:

Hey UofLouie,
It's really down to personal preference, as there is nothing wrong with having folders on your desktop. With that said, if you're just wanting cleanup/organize things a little better ... you can use windows default folders ...
This PC -> (Documents,Music,Pictures,Videos) and create any sub folders under those that you may need/want.

Example:
My Documents Folder has sub folders for Word, Excel, TurboTax, etc
My Pictures Folder has sub folders for Family, Friends, Grandkids, etc.
My Music Folder has sub folders for each of the Band Names (Kansas, Pink Floyd, etc)

Note: As already mentioned, copy your files first to the new locations and once satisfied, then you can delete those folders on your desktop.

folders on desktops are great space savers, I have 9 at present.
my pics folder has 37 folders
Downloads has a lot!!! Segregation of downloads into categories