It doesn't actually say "shortcut," because it isn't exactly a shortcut, in the strict sense of the term (to a fixed location).  It is a POINTER that points to whichever My Document folder belongs to the currently logged in user.  

If you right click on the "one at the top of the tree" and select "Properties," then select the "Target" tab at the top, you will see, in the text box, the location of the TARGET of this pointer, which should be:

        C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents

A "shortcut" points to a fixed physical location.  If the target that it points to moves (changes to a different location), then it points to nothing - it is a "broken link".   Think of these "duplicate/mirror" items as VARIABLE pointers - their target changes depending on which user is logged into XP.     

This is so each user doesn't have to find his particular My Documents folder by navigating to C:\Documents and Settings\<<MyUserName>>\My Documents.  

If simple shortcuts were used, there would have to be a separate shortcut at the top of the list for every user, since the physical locations of their My Documents folders are different.  

By using a variable target pointer, every logged in user can do exactly the same thing, click on the My Documents item at the top of the list, and get HER VERY OWN My Documents folder.  She doesn't have to know where it is.

AnnaSummers

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Carol 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 12:09 AM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] I figured out where those pics are going but


Hugh,
Yes, that's what has confounded me from the beginning - one folder is being
reflected in 3 different places, as if by a mirror.  That's why I've been
saying it's mirrored.  I was astounded to see that it was the same folder
doing the same thing in 3 places. Until Win XP, I'd never seen this kind of
thing.
Mine, however, don't say they're short cuts.  I'm not sure where you're
seeing that.  If mine had said 'shortcut', it wouldn't have been nearly so
confusing.  Actually, I don't see how they could be short cuts, if when
there are more users, they are separate folders.
Carol Hanson




> Not to belabor this point, but if they have the same path, they are the
> same folder. This is not a mirror (Duplicate).
> Check the properties of the top folder-mine clearly states that it's a
> shortcut.
> My PC has a single user, but it's networked with several others.
> The default users are:Default user, All Users and Owner (This is my
> logon name).
>
>

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