That sounds good, as it would mean only one click was necessary to display the contents of the thumb drive. But how can I set WE to a default that represents the thumb drive? It won't show a thumb drive at all--much less its contents--unless there is actually a thumb drive in a USB port. The problem is probably that I don't understand how to set WE to start with the "C: root directory." My WE always comes up with a listing to the left that starts with Favorites, Libraries, etc., and C: is a bit down the list. I never used WE (from the Start button) much and have just realized that it is apparently the same thing as "My Computer," which I have been double-clicking on for a connection to the thumb drive. If I click on WE, which I do have pinned to the taskbar, and then one more click on the name of the thumb drive, that's two clicks to see the contents of the drive. One less click than if I click on the My Computer icon on my desktop. So thanks to you, I now only have to make two clicks, instead of three. Perhaps that is the fewest clicks I can hope for. Granted, the old autorun way only required one click, so I would only be saving one click anyway; but hubby and I are translators who both work on the same job, so we are constantly swapping thumb drives back and forth, and it gets old going through a series of clicks every time. If I had never known the convenience of autorun, I would be taking things in their stride and not be complaining.

Thanks Zep, This was a help. It didn't warn of possibly damaging the drive by partitioning as it did at the Lexar site. Warning: This tool will not work on all flash drives and it could potentially mess up your drive. No warranty is being offered, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! backup all information from your USB device before proceeding. http://www.lancelhoff.com/multi-partition-a-usb-flash-drive-in-windows/

So long as you've backed up any important data files, I wouldn't fret about losing these antique programs. There are many choices of free and easy to use software you can press into service in a flash. Even Google Drive (formerly Google Docs) offers free software-like apps for word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, etc., that are completely compatible with current competing programs (which what you now have may not be). And, file backups are unnecessary (unless you're paranoid), Google keeps your files in their proverbial "cloud". To replace your (almost) 10 year old version of Quicken, try Mint. Now owned by Intuit, it's free, highly recommended and widely used. Play with it now, switch over on Jan 1, and wave goodbye to Quicken 2003. Or, get a new Quicken, it's not that expensive and it'll serve you for another 10 years.

It is a portable app, made to function that way. I posted a link in the original post here that explains what a portable app is. Much like using a linux live cd and running it from the cd/dvd drive. It is running in its own environment, not installing to the computer itself. The version of the app is designed to function that way. There are portable app versions for a lot of programs. Try google for portable apps you may be amazed. Using a portable app version of an antivirus program on an infected pc that you can not get to install or run the AV on the computer because the infection has disabled it, is a much often used tool. Which is why so many tech people carry a flash drive toolkit. Most of the tools you need can be put on a flash drive. One of the first things to happen have is a small linux distro capable of booting and running from your flash drive, with it you can gain access to the files in a borked windows pc and salvage them. The link below gives some information on flash toolkits. Here is a link that might be useful: Toolkit