Does an even more EFFICIENT method exist to access scattered common files?
o If so, please suggest a more efficient method - as efficiency is desired

0. Obtain any desired complex data file, e.g., Don Kuenz' csv file from
o Over 250 Start Run commands (please improve this Start Run commands list)
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/cc1lGn3ty0E

1. Save Don Kuenz' useful reference csv file to any desired directory, e.g.,
C:\data\os\setup\all_known_start_run_commands.csv

2. Open the Windows registry to your saved Favorites to access "AppPaths":
Start Run regedit Favorites AppPaths

3. Add _any_ uniquely named AppPaths key (unique to the system/user path):
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\run.exe
Default = "C:\data\os\setup\all_known_start_run_commands.csv "

Voila!
Now, and forevermore, you can efficiently perform this command:
WinKey+R run
And up pops that comma-separated-value file, in your default csv editor
(e.g., for many of us, that would be Microsoft Excel).

This method works even for extensionless files, such as the HOSTS file:

0. Set Windows to open extensionless files in your favorite editor:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\NOTEPAD.EXE\" \"%1\""

2. Open the Windows registry to your saved Favorites to access "AppPaths":
Start Run regedit Favorites AppPaths

3. Add _any_ uniquely named AppPaths key (unique to the system/user path):
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\hosts.exe
Default = "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\HOSTS"

Voila!
Now, and forevermore, you can efficiently perform this command:
WinKey+R hosts
And up pops your hosts file, in your default csv editor
(e.g., for many of us, that would be Microsoft Excel).

Disclaimer:
I use gVIM for extionless files, but I posted the commands for NOTEPAD
simply to make this tutorial more generic and hence, globally useful.

Warning:
As a general rule, your permissions on the file matter, where it would be
nice if someone knows Windows well enough to omit the next step.

A. Rightclick: HOSTS Properties Security Users Edit (change) OK
Change from (Allow):
Full control [_]
Modify [_]
Read & execute [x]
Read [x]
Write [_]
Special permissions [_]
B. Change to (Allow):
Full control [_]
Modify [_]
Read & execute [x]
Read [x]
Write [x]
Special permissions [_]
Windows Security
You are about to change the permission settings on system
folders. This can reduce the security of your computer and
cause users to have problems accessing files. Do you want to
continue?

Note: If you know of a BETTER (more secure) way to edit the hosts file sans
having to change its permissions, that is still EFFICIENT, then please let
us know as it takes Windows knowledge to make such commands more efficient.

--
This thread is a tangential technical offshoot of issues that arose in
o Over 250 Start Run commands (please improve this Start Run commands list)
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/cc1lGn3ty0E