First I need to say that when you create a Microsoft document such as Word or Excel the default storage location is My Documents folder. Normally there is no reason to change the targeted location on the average.
How can I change the default location?
Left click start. Right click My Documents. Left click properties. When the screen opens it will show as target location: C:\Documents and Settings\you\My Documents. You must to have the entire path typed and it must be exact. Even a misspelling will cause it to fail. REMEMBER !! the location you specify must exist. If you have it going to a folder you must create the folder before it can go there. Example: If you change it to C:\temp you must go to the C:\ directory to create the temp folder for it to work. To do this right click start. Left click explore. Now left click the C:\ (or other drive). Once it opens, right click an open spot in the right frame. In the menu left click New and move your cursor to the word “folder”. Once the folder is visible and highlighted name the folder temp or what ever you have to.
Why would you want to change it to start with?
This is a question you should probably ask yourself. Some companies may want to store files in a specific drive and/or folder (directory). You may want to store files in a different drive such as a backup drive or USB drive. Another reason might be if you are going to take files with you every day or that the files need to be moved to a Server that will then be backed up.
Another reason is if you have a small drive that is getting full and you don’t want to replace it. With the recent development of large USB storage drives it would make sense to redirect your storage location to that drive.
Are there any problems with doing this?
Maybe! If you remove the device that you have the files going to you will get an error. You MUST keep the storage location active at all times while you are working. Also, if you change the location to a different location you will not have a backup created. You would still need to back up the files in another drive, disk or storage location.
Online storage is also popular. In that case any new file would be backed up to an external server automatically. There is a fee involved so be sure to understand the terms before you do anything. Also be sure they have Virus protection for your data. www.carbonite.com is one example of this service. In the event your computer gets stolen or destroyed or it is a victom of a fire or storm your data will be safe.