Getting the most from Windows 7

Adding shortcuts to the Computer folder

When you click on the computer icon in Windows 7 (what used to be called My Computer) you get something like this:

If your items aren't nicely grouped like mine, just right click on the right side and select Group By > Type

You'll notice that in addition to the list of hard drives on the right, and the devices with removable storage, I've added some folders which are showing in the Network Location section. In addition to the libraries I explained in this article, you can place shortcuts here for quick access to places you visit often. I use this for areas on my hard drive I go frequently but don't fit into a library. I suppose I could make a library called "Miscellaneous", but I used this technique instead.

You need to make sure hidden files and folders are viewable, but if I setup your computer it already is.

So, navigate to your Network shortcuts folder on the left so the contents appear on the right. You get there by choosing C Drive > users > your name > AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Windows > Network Shortcuts

C:\Users\ss\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts

Now, any shortcut you put in that folder will appear in the network location area of your Windows Explorer display. So, simply find any place you visit frequently and would like to access quickly and right click and choose copy. Then return here and right click and choose Paste Shortcut. That's it.

Date: February 2012

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Keeping clients' computers safe and profitable for over 30 years

Home Forms About Current Newsletter subscribe Search All Articles Browse by Category Security Internet Mobile Business Hardware Fun		Getting the most from Windows 7 Adding shortcuts to the Computer folder When you click on the computer icon in Windows 7 (what used to be called My Computer) you get something like this: If your items aren't nicely grouped like mine, just right click on the right side and select Group By > Type You'll notice that in addition to the list of hard drives on the right, and the devices with removable storage, I've added some folders which are showing in the Network Location section. In addition to the libraries I explained in this article, you can place shortcuts here for quick access to places you visit often. I use this for areas on my hard drive I go frequently but don't fit into a library. I suppose I could make a library called "Miscellaneous", but I used this technique instead. You need to make sure hidden files and folders are viewable, but if I setup your computer it already is. So, navigate to your Network shortcuts folder on the left so the contents appear on the right. You get there by choosing C Drive > users > your name > AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Windows > Network Shortcuts or C:\Users\ss\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts Now, any shortcut you put in that folder will appear in the network location area of your Windows Explorer display. So, simply find any place you visit frequently and would like to access quickly and right click and choose copy. Then return here and right click and choose Paste Shortcut. That's it. Date: February 2012 This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
		I attempt to provide reliable information, but make no warranty as to the accuracy or safety of these articles. I disclaim all legal responsibility for what following these instructions may do. Follow my advice at your own risk