User Folders - Restore Default Location
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2/4/2015 User Folders Restore Default Location Windows 7 Help Forums
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Brink
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User Folders Restore Default LocationHow to Restore the Default Location of User Folders in Windows 7 and Windows 8Published by Brink28 Jul 2009
How to Restore the Default Location of User Folders inWindows 7 and Windows 8
Information
This will show you how to restore the default location of all or a single user folder of your choice inWindows 7 and Windows 8.
Note
If you have duplicate user folders instead, then you will need to backup the contents of the duplicate userfolders, do OPTION TWO below, delete the duplicate folders, then you may need to restart the computer acouple of times first before the default location is restored.
The Windows 8.1 Update to be released on April 8th 2014 via Windows Update, renames SkyDrive toOneDrive now.
EXAMPLE: User folders NOTE: This is at the default C:\Users\(username) location.
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OPTION ONE Restore User Folders using it's Folder Properties
NOTE: If using this option does not restore the user folder back to the default location, then use OPTION TWO below instead.
1. If you are in a homegroup, then you will need to change the homegroup settings to no longer share the user folder(ex: My Music) that you want to move first by unchecking the folder and clicking on Save Changes. (see screenshot below)NOTE: This is so the user folder (ex: My Music) will not be shared on the homegroup anymore.
2. Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog, type shell:UsersFilesFolder, and press enter.NOTE: This will open your C:\Users\(username) folder.
3. Right click or press and hold on the user folder (ex: My Music) that you want to restore the default location for, and
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click/tap on Properties.
4. Click/tap on the Location tab, and Restore Default button. (See screenshot below)
5. Click/tap on OK. (See screenshot below)NOTE: Notice that the location has changed to the default C:\Users\(username) location.
6. Click/tap on Yes. (See screenshot below)
Note
If you have a folder in the default location named for the user folder already, then you will not see thisdialog box.
2/4/2015 User Folders Restore Default Location Windows 7 Help Forums
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Windows 8 will not have the "My" in front of the user folder name anymore.
User Folder Folder NameContacts ContactsDesktop DesktopMy Documents Documents
Downloads DownloadsFavorites FavoritesLinks LinksMy Music MusicMy Pictures PicturesOneDrive (Windows 8.1 Update) OneDriveSaved Games Saved GamesSearches SearchesSkyDrive (Windows 8.1) SkyDriveMy Videos Videos
7. Click/tap on Yes. (See screenshot below)WARNING: If you do not click/tap on Yes, then you will have two copies of this user folder at the C:\Users\(username)location. One will be a normal folder (same name) with the contents and the other as the now restored user folder. It isrecommended that you click/tap on YES.
8. After a few seconds when the location has been restored, the Properties window (screenshot under step 5) will then close.
9. If you are in a homegroup, then you can now change the homegroup settings back to share the user folder (ex: MyMusic) again if you like by checking the folder and clicking on Save Changes. (see screenshot below)
OPTION TWO Manually Restore User Folders using a Reg File Download & Registry Editor
2/4/2015 User Folders Restore Default Location Windows 7 Help Forums
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Note
This is a more thorough method of restoring a user folder's default location, or restore missing user folders.
The reg files in the ZIP downloads below will automatically restore the default values at the registry locationbelow for you.
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Warning
If you have any duplicate user folders, or user folders that do not have a Location properties tab (OptionOne), then you will need to:
Backup only the folder's contents to another location to be safe.Now proceed with the steps below
1. Open your C:\Users\(username) folder. If the user folder is missing, then create a New Folder and rename itwith the name below for the user folder to fix.
For example: I would create a new folder named Documents if I needed to restore my My Documents folder.
NOTE: Windows 8 will not have the "My" in front of the user folder name anymore.
User Folder to fix Rename New Folder withContacts ContactsDesktop DesktopMy Documents DocumentsDownloads DownloadsFavorites FavoritesLinks LinksMy Music MusicMy Pictures PicturesOneDrive (Windows 8.1 Update) OneDriveSaved Games Saved GamesScreenshots (In Pictures folder in Windows 8/8.1) Screenshots
Searches SearchesSkyDrive (Windows 8.1) SkyDriveMy Videos Videos
2. To Restore the Default Contacts Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Contacts_Location.reg
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3. To Restore the Default Desktop Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Desktop_Default_Location.reg
4. To Restore the Default My Documents Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Documents_Default_Location.reg
5. To Restore the Default Downloads Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Downloads_Default_Location.reg
6. To Restore the Default Favorites Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Favorites_Default_Location.reg
7. To Restore the Default Links Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Links_Location.reg
8. To Restore the Default My Music Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Music_Default_Location.reg
9. To Restore the Default My Pictures Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Pictures_Default_Location.reg
10. To Restore Default OneDrive Folder Location in Windows 8.1 Update
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_OneDrive_Location.reg
11. To Restore the Default Saved Games Folder Location
2/4/2015 User Folders Restore Default Location Windows 7 Help Forums
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A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Saved_Games_Location.reg
12. To Restore the Default Screenshots Folder Location in Windows 8/8.1
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Screenshots_Location.reg
13. To Restore the Default Searches Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Searches_Location.reg
14. To Restore the Default SkyDrive Folder Location in Windows 8.1
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_SkyDrive_Location.reg
15. To Restore the Default My Videos Folder Location
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Videos_Default_Location.reg
16. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.
17. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
18. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
19. Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.
20. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (administrator) or enter administrator's password (if standard user).
21. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)NOTE: If this is for your Screenshots folder in Windows 8, then go to step 25 instead.
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
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22. In the right pane of Shell Folders, double click/tap on the user folder in the Name column (see table below) that youwant to restore the default location of to modify it. (see screenshot above)NOTE: If the Name entry in the table below is not there, then right click or press and hold on a empty space in the rightpane, click/tap on New and String Value, and give it the name in bold below for that user folder.
Windows 8 will not have the "My" in front of the user folder name anymore.
User Folder Name in RegistryContacts {56784854C6CB462B816988E350ACB882}Desktop DesktopMy Documents PersonalDownloads {374DE290123F4565916439C4925E467B}Favorites FavoritesLinks {BFB9D5E0C6A9404CB2B2AE6DB6AF4968}My Music My MusicMy Pictures My PicturesOneDrive (Windows 8.1 Update) {A52BBA46E9E1435FB3D928DAA648C0F6}Saved Games {4C5C32FFBB9D43B0B5B42D72E54EAAA4}Searches {7D1D3A04DEBB411595CF2F29DA2920DA}SkyDrive (Windows 8.1) {A52BBA46E9E1435FB3D928DAA648C0F6}My Videos My Video
23. Type in the full default path (see table below) of the user folder, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)NOTE: Substitute UserName in the full path with your user account name instead.
Windows 8 will not have the "My" in front of the user folder name anymore.
User Folder Default PathContacts C:\Users\UserName\ContactsDesktop C:\Users\UserName\DesktopMy Documents C:\Users\UserName\DocumentsDownloads C:\Users\UserName\DownloadsFavorites C:\Users\UserName\FavoritesLinks C:\Users\UserName\LinksMy Music C:\Users\UserName\MusicMy Pictures C:\Users\UserName\PicturesOneDrive (Windows 8.1 Update) C:\Users\UserName\OneDriveSaved Games C:\Users\UserName\Saved GamesSkyDrive (Windows 8.1) C:\Users\UserName\SkyDriveSearches C:\Users\UserName\Searches
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My Videos C:\Users\UserName\Videos
24. Close Regedit.
25. Open an elevated command prompt (Right click > Run as administrator).
26. In the elevated command prompt, Copy and Paste the command below exactly as is for the user folder icon that youwant to restore to default, and press Enter. (see table below)NOTE: This will set the user folder attributes back to default. You can Copy and Paste these to make it easier for you.
Windows 8 will not have the "My" in front of the user folder name anymore.
User Folder CommandContacts attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Contacts" /S /DDesktop attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop" /S /DMy Documents attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /DDownloads attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Downloads" /S /DFavorites attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Favorites" /S /DLinks attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Links" /S /DMy Music attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Music" /S /DMy Pictures attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
OneDrive (Windows 8.1 Update) attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive" /S /DSaved Games attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games" /S /DScreenshots (Windows 8/8.1) attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures\Screenshots" /S /DSearches attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Searches" /S /DSkyDrive (Windows 8.1) attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\SkyDrive" /S /DMy Videos attrib +r s h "%USERPROFILE%\Videos" /S /D
27. Close the elevated command prompt.
28. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to finish restoring the user folder location.NOTE: Sometimes you may need to restart more than once for the changes to be applied.
29. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
30. If you have any duplicate user folders left, or user folders that do not have a Location properties tab (Option One),then you will need to:
Delete all duplicate user folders without the correct default C:\Users\(username)\(userfolder) path and userfolders without a Location properties tab.
That's it,Shawn
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11 Oct 2009 #1
Recover/Repair Data FilesWe Recover 100% data from Lost & Corrupted files. Freeconsultation
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crasher23
Windows 73 posts
Hi, I was doing this procedure and mistakenly click "yes" as warned in step 6, now I have to desktop folders, and Ican't eliminate the duplicate. Can you please give me a link to the post were this is being solved?, I tried trough thesearch but I couldn't find any solution.P.D. I now this is a how to but I don't wanna open a new post unless is necessary. Thanks a lot
Tip: Download Windows Repair ToolMy System Specs
11 Oct 2009 #2
Brink
64bit Windows 8.1Enterprise58,518 postsOklahoma
Hello Crasher,
The duplicate Desktop folder, without the default icon and just a yellow folder, should just be a normal folderwithout the Location tab in it's properties page. Copy all of the contents of this folder into the true Desktop folder,with the default icon, then see if you can delete it.
If not, then do OPTION TWO in the tutorial, restart the computer, and see if you can delete the duplicate Desktop(without default icon) afterwards.
My System Specs
07 Feb 2010 #3
doctorJ
Windows 73 posts
Tried this and still no "my pictures"
I attempted this solution several times and have rebooted a number of times, but still "My Pictures" doesn't showup under my User directory. I used method 2, the registry fix and shell command. I used regedit to look at thevalue and it seems right. I have checked ownership of "pictures" and I own the folder.
But nothing I do seems to make the "My Pictures" show up where it can actually be used.
I have attached a screen shot. Any and all suggestions welcome.
Attached Thumbnails
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My System Specs
07 Feb 2010 #4
Brink
64bit Windows 8.1Enterprise58,518 postsOklahoma
Hello DoctorJ, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Sometimes it may take a bit for it to return. When you type in the Shell command for it, where does it open to?
My System Specs
07 Feb 2010 #5
doctorJ
Windows 73 posts
Quote: Originally Posted by Brink
Hello DoctorJ, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Sometimes it may take a bit for it to return. When you type in the Shell command for it, where does it opento?
It opens the correct location, My Pictures. I just can't see it in my user directory (nor can programs).
I have been trying other things, I changed to folder setting to display hidden files. It turns out "My Pictures" is ahidden folder. When I click on properties for that folder, the "hidden" property is checked, but greyed out so I cannot alter it.
Any suggestions on how to unhide the folder. I think I will be good if I can restore the directory to be not hidden.
My System Specs
07 Feb 2010 #6
Brink
64bit Windows 8.1Enterprise58,518 postsOklahoma
DoctorJ,
Open a elevated command prompt, then type the command below and press enter to see if that may help bringit out of hiding for you.
attrib +r s h %USERPROFILE%\Pictures /S /D
My System Specs
07 Feb 2010 #7
doctorJ
Windows 73 posts
Quote: Originally Posted by Brink
DoctorJ,
Open a elevated command prompt, then type the command below and press enter to see if that mayhelp bring it out of hiding for you.
attrib +r s h %USERPROFILE%\Pictures /S /D
That worked! For some reason it took a couple of attempts (or maybe the effect just was not immediate). Buteventually it worked. Do I need to reset that folder to be a system folder? (thats what the s does, right? make itnot system).
Thank you very much for you help. All this was a fix to a previous botched attempt to move My Pictures to adifferent drive. I will be more careful this time.
My System Specs
07 Feb 2010 #8
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Brink
64bit Windows 8.1Enterprise58,518 postsOklahoma
You're most welcome DoctorJ.
No need to reset it. That is the default attribute setting for that user folder.
My System Specs
21 Mar 2010 #9
TheTalker
Windows 7 Ultimatex64
146 posts
I want to say thank you very much! I've had this problem for months nowI was afraid of changing the registry.Well, I finally did it and at first I thought I messed something up but after restarting everything is back to normal.
Thank you so much!
My System Specs
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