I just reinstalled windows and renamed the fresh 'my pictures' to 'my pictures OLD' so I could load my backup copy of 'my pictures' into my documents as 'my pictures'.

How do I make this restored 'my pictures' folder be the one pointed to by XP (e.g.the my pictures icon in the start menu)

Was there a 'better' way to get this done in the first place??

D/L and install MS TweakUi (part of Powertools).
In the same location where My Pictures Old" are, create "My Pictures".
In TweakUi, click the tab "My computer". At the bottom is a Window with Special Folders. Select the "My Pictures" and click on "Change location". Read the message, then click "Yes". Now browse to your new "My Pictures", click OK and Apply and OK.

As you saved your old pictures onto another partition/disk/CD/ZIP, after reinstall XP you could have just copied them back from there into your new "My Pictures".

yeh, coulda/shoulda/woulda probably will next time.

did install powertoys tweakUI and after reboot, voila

thanks