From what little you have told us....
When you set up networking you can choose which folders to share. Apparently it sounds like someone chose share the user desktop.

My guess is "Personal Preference"?

I quit using the Windows "My Document" folder long ago because I got the feeling it wasn't really "My(mine)" at all.

For instance, when I navigate to my Win7 "Documents" I find it's pretty much trashed and I haven't even used it very much. There's a folder named "Adobe", which I didn't put there, nor would I have. A folder called "Alcohol 120%", which I didn't put there. There's a "Games" folder, which I don't play, and didn't put there. There's links to "My Music", which I don't use, "My Pictures", which I don't use, "My Videos", which I don't use. There's a "OneNote Notebooks" folder, which I don't use, forgot it was even installed. A "Stream Transport" folder containing a settings file, don't ask me. :) And a few other things that I wouldn't want cluttering up my documents folder if it was really mine. So it's not.

Personally, I always partition a drive just for data and create my own folders for documents, music, video, etc. That way it doesn't get trashed up... unless it's by me.

I do make use of my Desktop though. Usually not for long term storage, but for anything I'm working on, need to do more work someday, or want right there in front of me because I use it often.

I identify with your predecessor but truthfully, I would say there's no right place, no wrong place, put them where you're used to having them, and can find them quickly and easily. Make them "YOUR" documents. Unless of course your boss says otherwise. :)

Just my opinion though, based on my personal quirks.

Edit: Is sharing involved? If so... scratch my opinion, I completely misunderstood. :)

I often keep files and folders on the desktop for quick access.
It's just easier to do it that way. Does make for a messy desktop tho.

Pooh Bear

No sharing or networking involved. I guess my basic question is why would you store a folder under DESKTOP instead of My DOCUMENTS?

On my home PC I have only shortcuts (to applications and/or documents) under DESKTOP --- not actual file folders with documents in them.

Would it be better to store these folders (quotes and bids) under My Documents and just put a shortcut to them on the desktop for easy access?

Or does it not matter?

A shortcut takes up just as much space on the desktop as the actual file.
So why go to all the trouble to put the file some place else
then make a shortcut to it on the desktop. One way is not better than the other.

It boils down to personal preference.

Would it be better to store these folders (quotes and bids) under My Documents and just put a shortcut to them on the desktop for easy access?

Or does it not matter?

That sort of thing is either personal preference or the user is content and not looking for possibly better ways to catalogue. things

I don't allow anything on my desktop preferring to see some of my photos that are set to change every few minutes. It is very easy with XP to right click the Start button and click Windows Explorer or with Win 7 & 8 click the Windows Explorer on the taskbar.

If in the OP's position I would create a sub folder in My Documents called "Quotes and Bids" or similar sans quotes to keep them all together.

At many companies (probably more at large ones and less at smaller ones), employee files need to be in specifically named folders so that auto-backup software working over the network captures the right files. The auto-backup at my employer captures all non OS folders so it doesn't matter where anything is put.

It's otherwise personal preference. For me, having started in the beginning DOS days, I like to see where my folders are. I never use "Documents", or "My Music" or any of those other presets and I don't like folders that are too many levels down from the root directory. I have a handful of folders at the top tier to suit my needs, I direct all programs to the proper folder and then never give it another thought. When looking for something, I know where to go, it only takes a click or two to look .

I should probably be more flexible but it works for me.

I think that saving files to the desktop is visually easier, all files are before you.)) On the other hand, probably, it is inconvenient to store a lot of files on the desktop. Also I`ve heard a computer is slow when there are many files on the desktop. I do not know if it's true.

"I`ve heard a computer is slow when there are many files on the desktop. I do not know if it's true."

Each time Windows starts, operating memory is used for all files on the Desktop. If those files are Shortcuts, the total amount of memory used will be small. If however, there are several or dozens of files on the Desktop, those will use lots of operating memory, essentially for no purpose or gain. With less memory available, the computer runs slower because it has to swap out information from operating memory to the hard drive. It does this process (called memory paging) to keep everything the user wants to do, running at the same time.

Put your files in the âÂÂMy Documentsâ folder. If you have a lot of files, you can put them in separate folders. Create shortcuts on your Desktop for the folders or files you frequently use. In doing this, you will free up operating memory, reduce the time and frequency the hard drive is used and improve the response of your computer to programs you open and things you do. The simple action of cleaning the Desktop will make your computer run faster.

By the way, I`ve found a folder backup software to back up folders and files automatically.) It`s Handy Backup, the link is below. I`m having a trial now, but I`m happy that I have an adequate soft for my backup needs.)

I will write a report about it.))

Here is a link that might be useful: folder backup, desktop backup