For what it's worth my W2K hard drive is organized as follows:

Root directory has Data; Programs; Operating Systems

Data_ = _DOC, _XLS (all MS Ofc pgms), _PDF, _MISC, _QWP, _JPG

Programs = whatever program are on your system.
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This saves time for file retrieval & saving, it keeps the data away from the programs. It allows for file specific back ups to other media. And most of all.......it works for me!

On my someday/maybe list I will be adding a 2nd hard drive only for data. To allow for the old addage, the amount of computer knowledge you have is directly proportional to the amount of data you lose.

Susan