Clear out, docs

If you find Windows’ Documents list useful but would like to clear the contents every now and then, you can use the following simple tweak to the Registry to have the list wiped out every time you exit Windows.

(Once again, if you are not used to Registry editing, you can find out all about it at www.WE-Compute.com/registry.html.)

Open the Registry Editor and head to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer. Click Edit and New DWORD value.

Right-click the value and select Rename. Type ClearRecentDocsOnExit and press Enter. Double-click the new value and set the value data to 1 (that’s the numeral one). Exit the Registry and restart the computer.

Windows will now clear the Documents list whenever you restart or turn off your PC.

Free *Cheap Trick* of the Week: August 03, 2001

This tip does not apply to people who actually understand how to use a Windows-based computer. Why? Because you should not be using that list. It doesn't show you any real information about the file in question, and you can inadvertently be revising the wrong thing. Several times. Before your boss fires you.

What you should do instead is use Windows Explorer. Microsoft tends to hide this, but it should be your standard interface with your computer, unless you don't mind working blind.

You can always right mouse click the Start button to invoke it, but you should add Windows Explorer to your Quick Launch bar and several other menus in Windows.

The default settings for Windows Explorer defy logic. Change these so you can actually see what files you are looking at. Enable it to show you the file extensions (unclick the insane "Hide extensions" box that is, stupidly enough, checked by default though actually there is never any reason to ever check this box). Select the option to show details. Now, you will be able to see your file size, file date, and other useful information. If you right click around a bit, you can find quite a bit of functionality in Windows Explorer.

If you haven't been using this interface previously, make a point of using it now. If you always open files from within Windows Explorer, you will always be able to see all available files and select the right one.

Use Windows Explorer to set up your filing system as if it's a paper filing cabinet. Save all files either on the data drive (dual hard drive machine) or in a folder on a single hard drive machine. Do NOT save files to the default locations. These never make any sense. They are typically within your applications, which is a dumb place to save them. That's how you end up with corrupted data files and it also makes file backups difficult.

For single-drive users, an easy solution is to create a folder called 0files as your top-level data folder. The zero means it will show up at the top of your file list, making things easy for you. Below this folder, create you filing structure. Never store anything at the root of this folder. Think of it as the shell of a five-drawer filing cabinet and don't toss stuff in the bottom. Always put files in folders that are in drawers.

With a good filing structure in place, you will always be able to find your files by simply clicking right to them. So think this out as you go and follow a good taxonomy. It's a much more effective way to work than how the zombies at Microsoft envision people working.