[Solved] Newly created documents are now diverted to "File Explorer"

[Mr. Nick]

Hi -
When I close a new document that I created in OpenOffice Writer, it is now being sent to "File Explorer" instead of the AOO "Documents" file, where it was automatically sent to, until recently.
How do I get back to the original process of filing documents into the AOO "Documents", and how can I export my AOO documents from "File Explorer", back to the AOO "Documents" file?
I have OpenOffice 4 on Windows 10
Thank you,
Nick M.

[FJCC]

File Explorer is a program on your computer not a storage location. On the left side of the File Explorer window, there should be some locations listed including Quick Access and This PC. Click the arrow next to either one to expand the list and you should see the Documents folder listed. Click on that and you should see the contents of the Documents folder displayed in the main section of the File Explorer window. There is no AOO Documents folder. The Documents folder is a standard part of your computer's file system.
It is not clear to me how you are getting to the File Explorer. When you are ready to exit OpenOffice after editing a file, you should select the menu item File -> Save. If it is the first time you have saved the document, that will bring up a dialog where you can choose a name and a location for the document. Does that process work for you?
To see where you have saved your recently used documents, start OpenOffice and choose the menu File -> Recent Documents. Choose the top one in the list. After it opens, choose the menu File -> Properties. On the General tab of that dialog, there is a listing for Location. That will tell you where the document is saved.

[Mr. Nick]

Thank you FJCC, for your rapid response.
I should have noted that i am not very computer savvy. Also, due to a very severe hack, which destroyed all of my data, bricked my computer, forced me to buy another computer, and use a new ISP. The hacker(s) caused much grief, and i am still trying to recover, most of which is lost forever. In essence, I have disappeared from the world. The new computer is a Dell with Intel i7 and tons of memory - my brain should be so loaded.

The hacker(s) also scammed my brother out of $600.00 while I was in St. Luke's Hospital's Critical Care ward, not expected to survive COVID-19, a simultaneous type A blood infection. But the hospital's expertise cured me, despite the fact that I am now three weeks shy of my 89th birthday. Yay!!! Glad to be alive.
Enough of my sob story. Fumbling around with my new computer, making a mess, I used Win Toys to clear up the mess, and now, on the bottom Task Bar, the "File Explorer" button appeared. Odd, since from my disastrous past experience, and upon recommendation, I use Firefox and Duckduckgo, plus Firefox extensions
As i was taught, after creating a document, I copy the title, click the File menu, select "Save as" from the drop down menu, and paste. That automatically puts it into Documents with the title. Very simple, and has worked for years, that is, until now. Oddly. now, another 'copy' is added.
I would like to forego the long tedious process of re-installing Windows 10 if the 'Restore function does not do the trick, in addition to hand copying tons of material, the Firefox extensions, and then re-installing Firefox and extensions, if at all possible.
I don't know if the info is clear, but I will gladly supply any info that will be of help.
Best regards,
Nick M.

[robleyd]

As i was taught, after creating a document, I copy the title, click the File menu, select "Save as" from the drop down menu, and paste.

I don't know where you learned this, but it is not the preferred way of saving in OpenOffice - or any other program really. Normally you open a new document, edit it and simply click the Save icon, or use Ctrl+S, or menu File | Save. As this is the first save of the document a Save As dialog box then opens pointing to the default save directory (unless you have altered the target) with a text box in which you type the file name; this text box will show a default option of the style Untitled n where n is a number. Also make sure that Automatic file name extension is checked.

Right click and use Open in new tab to see larger version

filesave.png (46.92 KiB) Viewed 1795 times

Subsequent Saves will overwrite the current version on your drive. Using File | Save As in OpenOffice will by default use the last directory where you saved an OpenOffice document , which might not be the default location.

You can, if you wish, find or change the default Save location via menu Tools | Options | OpenOffice | Paths.

[Mr. Nick]

Hi, David,

Thank you for your kind reply..

Since there was no document for using the OpenOffice program, the procedure was taught to our NY Guard Headquarters, by the NY State IT Guy, many years ago, before OpenOffice was abandoned, and thankfully, brought back by volunteers. It is my preferred program, over Libre, which we used temporarily. The expensive Microsoft book for using "Word" was so stilted, a new industry developed to teach it. Later, a "Dummies" booklet was a popular low cost alternative..

The old procedure is not the current preferred procedure, but it still works. Try it. Use "Save as", then insert the title, and close. To call up a document, go to the Start button, click on "Documents"; a list will appear, then double click on the desired title from the list. Simple and foolproof.

I am baffled as to the advantage of the new procedure, which is not easily used. That said, I do not wish to annoy the volunteers at at OpenOffice, and will switch.

But I am not having any success with the approved procedure; would you be so kind as to expand the steps, in simple verbiage?

The Win Toys program is an abomination. It did not clear up a problem, but to be fair, it did have a tweak to shorten the computer turn on time. Its main fault was that it brought up the problem causing "File Explorer", and its button, and causing other automatic problems. I will happily delete it from the task bar, as soon as I can get my Documents folder intact.

Best regards,
Nick

[robleyd]

The old procedure is not the current preferred procedure, but it still works.

I am baffled as to the advantage of the new procedure, which is not easily used.

I can't see what is difficult about pressing Ctrl+S, or menu File | Save or click Save icon, then typing a file name in a text box and clicking Enter.

Use what works for you then.

[Mr. Nick]

Mucho thanx, David.

Suffice to say that the procedures are essentially the same, with a minor change. A simple enough example that even an old foggy like myself can appreciate it. Kudos!

Your one sentence is a wonderful example of the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Principle, I embodied as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager in the Aerospace Industry, way back when.

I thrived during the golden age of innovative electronic devices, which made possible the digital revolution. An IBM computer was so expensive, that it was rented instead of owned outright. And it filled up a very large room, loaded with hundreds of 6SN7 dual triode electron tubes, with Fortran Language, today, known as coding programs, on huge reels of tape, thence to punch cards. A separate department, staffed by specialists.

In remembrance, I smile like an idiot. All reduced to a handheld $80.00 Smart Phone. So ubiquitous, that children spend hours pecking away, exchanging miss-spelled, with incongruent grammar, messages, with a friend sitting alongside. Wow! Who would of thought?

In my usual blundering manner, I have retrieved my errant documents.. Ugh! A pox upon the run amok File Explorer. Next, stop the extra copies. And then, decipher the intricate Document format Someone could earn mucho dinero, compiling an OpenOffice For Dummy's booklet.

Best regards,
Nick

[LastUnicorn]

Someone could earn mucho dinero, compiling an OpenOffice For Dummy's booklet.

Open Office is dying a slow death so writing a book for a dying program is pretty much a waste of time. If you want to read such then give Open Office for Students a try — it is a reasonable summary of how to create documents using Open Office Writer.

You could also try official guides to using OpenOffice here: OpenOffice Official Manuals

In any case, you would be well advised to switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice. There are several good reasons for doing so, some of which are mentioned here: [Tutorial] Considering a Switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice? Some Useful Information

[Mr. Nick]

Thank you very much for the heads up.

I am saddened, since OpenOffice's parent funded an excellent substitution for Microsoft's frightfully expensive programs, and we used it, starting so long ago, that it is a part of our lives. Very bad.

I am trying to recall, was it Sun systems that birthed it, and then abandoned it?

What noble deed possessed those hearty souls to take up the arduous task of resurrecting and nursing OpenOffice through the years?

I know the feelings of the valiant efforts by its many volunteers, myself having volunteered, at great expense and time, to a little known group of Federally designated, loosely defined, State Defense Forces.

It was a great ride, but, time marches on.

In faithful appreciation, I am compelled to be with OpenOffice till its death knell, should I live so long.

Best wishes for the Holidays,
Nick