Setting up files to be used by the WPS where those files reside outside the "OS!2 2.0 Desktop" directory structure may cause some problems. This could apply, for example, to DOS programs which only look for files in a specific directory. These files can still be placed on the desktop, however. This is done by dragging a shadow copy of the file from the application directory to the desktop, using the Drives folder.
However, the WPS does not receive every message from the file system concerning files which lay outside its workplace directory structure (that is, not under "OS!2 2.0 Desktop"). Notification is received if a new file is created or if an existing file is deleted or renamed, but not if an existing file is changed outside of the workplace. This lack of notification also applies to file EAs created or modified for files in a non-workplace directory.
It is therefore always advisable to place all data files within the workplace directory structure, where possible.