Posted by Pierces Notary Services on 3/25/09 10:46am
Msg #282071

default drive on pc

Is there way to change an outside "e" drive to be the default drive on a PC instead of the c: drive?

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/25/09 12:49pm
Msg #282095

This is one for the computer gurus here. Glenn? PAW?

I'm pretty sure there is a way, but have no clue what it might be.

Reply by PAW on 3/25/09 1:24pm
Msg #282097

The 'default' drive is always "C:" and is restricted by the BIOS. You can modify the BIOS to change the boot sequence, but the main, internal, fixed disk drive is always "C:". BIOS reserves "A:" for the first floppy drive, "B:" for the second floppy drive, and "C:" for the first hard drive. The system BIOS hasn't changed over the years when it comes to the hardware pecking order.

As for Windows, the "default" drive is always the boot drive. However, many applications, such as Word, Excel, etc., allow you to change the default file locations.

Within the System manager under Windows, you can change the drive designations. This is called 'mapping'. What used to be the "E:" drive can be changed to any other drive letter that is not used. Same for the "C:" drive. But mapping the "C:" drive to another drive letter doesn't change the system default. I may change the 'default' that applications use, since drive letter designations are used within the app. Again, the OS (operating system) relies on the BIOS and the hardware configuration to determine which drive is the 'default'.

I may help to know why you need to change the "default" from "C:" to "E:". What applications or functions do you need to have 'defaulted' to the "E:" drive.

Reply by Pierces Notary Services on 3/25/09 1:49pm
Msg #282106

We save all our documents here at work on an external drive and each time we have to go through the steps to get to this drive. The other girl here asked if there was anyway that we could change the default. As far as what documents, just our MS Office files are on this drive.

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/25/09 2:13pm
Msg #282110

that sounds like what I thought you were talking about....

For MS Word:

Try "Options" and then the "File Locations" tab. Hit "Modify" and see if that's what you are trying to get accomplished.

Similar steps exists for Excel as well.

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/25/09 1:30pm
Msg #282101

Re: default drive on pc - as Paul explained

you can . . . [all that stuff he said].

Perhaps you should explain what your goal is...there may be only one way to acheive it...or several.

Reply by Pierces Notary Services on 3/25/09 2:29pm
Msg #282114

Re: default drive on pc - as Paul explained

when we open word, excel docs, etc. - want it to automatically go to E: drive instead of having to go through all the other steps to get to it.

Reply by PAW on 3/25/09 2:41pm
Msg #282117

Re: default drive on pc - as Paul explained

MS Office applications all allow you to set your default file locations. It's under the Options menu item.

(Brenda basically said the same thing in another post.)

Reply by RickinVA on 3/25/09 2:32pm
Msg #282116

Maybe all you need is to put a shortcut on the desktop to get there. You could even set up
a hotkey to make it even easier.

Rick