Without a PDM system we have just been keeping our files in a couple of different windows folders. Some of our hardware and fasteners are stored in the general file and I have to search for them each time I need a different one. But a few of them are stored in the design folder by size and can be located easily.  Life would be so much easier if all the hardware were in the design folder. So I can commit the cardinal sin and copy them into the design folder, or I could get scary and move them risking messing up assemblies.

     From comments I have read here I have been led to believe that if I move the files within the SolidWorks Explorer environment the links will be retained. Is that understanding correct?