02-03-2011, 05:29 PM

Below is a screen capture of my Documents folder. All of these folders are taking up too much space and I'd rather not have them there. I know when first downloading and using a program you can select file path, (at least in some cases) but is there a way to alter the file path to one folder without losing/damaging data already collected/created?

02-03-2011, 09:08 PM

I'm not sure what you're asking!

First: "too much space"
Do you mean hard drive space? If not, then is it just the physical space in that window? That is, do you want fewer things in Documents for some reason?

Second:
The "file path"
Do you mean the place to which a newly created document will be saved?

Third:
That last phrase, beginning "alter..."
If you mean saving a file ("second" above) then the answer is yes, unless you send it to a folder that already has a file in it with the same name as the file you're saving to it. But, that answer might be just as confusing as your question!

Maybe someone else who comes along will be on your wave length. Or, if you try to elaborate, maybe it will click for me and I can offer some sound advice.

02-04-2011, 07:01 AM

do you mean with all the unnecassary folders, i.e office data and spore creations, and you just want your documents to be in there, uncluttered?

02-05-2011, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by robduckyworth

do you mean with all the unnecassary folders, i.e office data and spore creations, and you just want your documents to be in there, uncluttered?

Yes exactly! I wouldn't name it this but put all of those folders in a file called "apps" and the file path for lets say, "Spore Creations" would be User>Documents>Apps. As well as everything else

02-05-2011, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by xammax

Yes exactly! I wouldn't name it this but put all of those folders in a file called "apps" and the file path for lets say, "Spore Creations" would be User>Documents>Apps. As well as everything else

You won't be able to get rid of Microsoft User Data. If you move it or delete it, another folder of that name will be created the next time you use an Office application. Other programs may do similar things as well.

P.S. You mean folder.

02-05-2011, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by toMACsh

You won't be able to get rid of Microsoft User Data. If you move it or delete it, another folder of that name will be created the next time you use an Office application. Other programs may do similar things as well.[/B].

This is why I have a File Cabinet folder in my user folder, that way I keep my stuff totally separate from the junk other applications put in my Documents folder.
Just make sure that you are the only one that can access the folder, in the finder info window.

02-05-2011, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by McYukon

This is why I have a File Cabinet folder in my user folder, that way I keep my stuff totally separate from the junk other applications put in my Documents folder.
Just make sure that you are the only one that can access the folder, in the finder info window.

What is file cabinet? Can you give me a download link?

02-06-2011, 12:58 AM

Instead of storing all my documents in the Documents folder, where it will get lost in the support files that other applications make I store my documents in a folder that I created called File Cabinet in my user folder.

These applications that save their junk in the Documents folder can't be told to save it somewhere else, but I can choose save my stuff to a different folder which contains only the files I want.

02-06-2011, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by McYukon

Instead of storing all my documents in the Documents folder, where it will get lost in the support files that other applications make I store my documents in a folder that I created called File Cabinet in my user folder.

These applications that save their junk in the Documents folder can't be told to save it somewhere else, but I can choose save my stuff to a different folder which contains only the files I want.

Create an alternative Documents folder... for actual Documents.

its a good idea. if you don't want to call it "File Cabinet", you could call it something like "My Documents", give it the same logo and put it in the sidebar of Finder, and put all your documents in it. That way youd keep them all separate.

It's still a compromise... but if you really hate the way it looks, its pretty much your only option.

02-09-2011, 04:12 PM

I like the idea of making a separate documents folder. Does anyone know if the following are possible? 1. Make folders invisible, you could see the worthless extension folder if you highlighted over them, but they would not be viewable. Also could you just create a new "Documents" folder, copy icon for the document folder and just place it next to the the real folder under user settings? (Without it auto organizing and putting the folder at the bottom.)

02-09-2011, 04:17 PM

Ok the latter is quite possible, I just tried. But could you delete one of the useless user folders? Sites for example, I have no use for it and there seems to be nothing of value to the system or ironically web browsers for that matter. And one last question: could I name the folder "Documents"? Or would that screw up the file path?

02-09-2011, 04:54 PM

do you mean a folder called Documents in the documents folder? that will be fine it will just be user/documents/documents/etc.

02-09-2011, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by xammax

Also could you just create a new "Documents" folder, copy icon for the document folder and just place it next to the the real folder under user settings? (Without it auto organizing and putting the folder at the bottom.)

Originally Posted by xammax

Ok the latter is quite possible, I just tried.

Really? If I understand that correctly, you're placing two folders called Documents within the same enclosing folder. I can't do that. The new one automatically gets changed to "untitled folder". But I really don't know what "under user settings" means.

But could you delete one of the useless user folders? Sites for example, I have no use for it and there seems to be nothing of value to the system or ironically web browsers for that matter. And one last question: could I name the folder "Documents"? Or would that screw up the file path?

Don't delete nuthin' you didn't create. You might have no use for it, but the OS may disagree. Unless you find a expert you trust who says you can delete X with no ill effects, leave it be. One last answer: see above.