How to change default search path in Windows XP

[RITWIKSANATH]

Dear Friends,

If its possible, could someone help me understand how to change the default path used by the "Search" option on the start menu. I have all my files located in a separate folder and it would be great if the "Search" window starts by looking in that folder instead of the default "local hard drives".

Thanks in advance.

 

[ksiemb]

Dear Friends,

If its possible, could someone help me understand how to change the default path used by the "Search" option on the start menu. I have all my files located in a separate folder and it would be great if the "Search" window starts by looking in that folder instead of the default "local hard drives".

Thanks in advance.

Ignore - hit wrong button - another post forthcoming !

 

[ksiemb]

Dear Friends,

If its possible, could someone help me understand how to change the default path used by the "Search" option on the start menu. I have all my files located in a separate folder and it would be great if the "Search" window starts by looking in that folder instead of the default "local hard drives".

Thanks in advance.

What you are asking for would require changing a system environment variable, and not recommended because of the zillions of apps that use that variable. Changing it would lead to disaster. Here is what I would do.

Explore my computer, and click on the C: icon. Add a folder with a special character and your folder name, lets say Data.
the new folder name will be entered as "*data" without the quotes.
Now, copy paste you files to this folder, and save any future files here.
The folder will be located as the first folder on drive c: and therefore when you start the search, it will the 1st one looked in.