Windows Tools, Help & Guides

In earlier versions of Windows, a link to the user-folder was placed on the desktop by default.  Now you have to add it there manually, along with the “My Computer”, “Network”, “Recycle bin” and “Control Panel” icons.

In Windows 7 there are several ways to access the User-Folder, even if you don’t want it residing on your desktop. Here’s how.

Three ways to “Rome” (or was it four??) …

Next to the “Old fashioned” way by opening Explorer, and manually click your way through the folders (C: | Users | [username] ) there are three (at least) faster methods:

Open the folder From the Start-Menu

1. Click the Start-Button
2. Click your username in the list on the right side

Add your User-Folder to the Desktop

1. Click the Start-Button
2. Right-Click your Username (top right corner)
3. Choose: “Show on Desktop”

Add your User-Folder to the Desktop (method 2)

1. Click the Start-Button
2. In the Search-Field, type: “Desktop Icons”, and press Enter
3. Check the box labeled “User Files”, Press OK

Note that you accomplish the same thing if you right-click the desktop, select Personalize, select Desktop Icons…

Add your User-Folder to the TaskBar

Trying to PIN the User-Folder to the Taskbar will only give you the Library icon, and not the entire User-Folder. Instead you need to add it as a Toolbar (Read more on that).

1. Open the Folder, and click in the address-field
2. Copy the “URL” (“C:\Users\Computer”)
3. Right-Click the Taskbar, choose “Toolbars”, then “New Toolbar”
4. Paste in the folder URL
5. Click “Select Folder”

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