I have 2 user accounts with the DESKTOP folder listed. Either one opens the desktop files and sub-folders. I'd like to move the default location of DESKTOP from one user account to another without creating any redundancies, deletions or problems. Can this be done?
Each user has their own Desktop User folder. If you are talking about program shortcuts for what each user can have and not have the general list, you do that within the User folder at %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs in each user folder.
I have 3 DESKTOP folders in 2 different user accounts. One is
in an account in the 'One Drive' folder that is 28 GB.
Another is in different user account that is 106GB
A third DESKTOP Folder is in that same account once again in the 'One Drive Folder' and reads:98 GB
Obviously this is very confusing. Is there a way to combine these DESKTOP folders and relocate them into one USER folder?
If you wished to remove the Onedrive appearance from your scenario, it's possible that relates to this:
Auto Save Desktop to OneDrive or This PC in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
As said above, each user has their own Documents, Videos, Pictures, Music ... and Desktop folders and the other users can't view these when logged in.
Do you wish all users to share exactly the same desktop with equal rights to any files and folders?
Or do you just instinctively feel that having multiple folders called 'Desktop' is somehow untidy?
Oh, and I don't think you mentioned C:\Users\Default\Desktop ...
At the risk of confusing you even further - you have a FOURTH Desktop in C:\Users\Public\Desktop
Actually this is a good thing and would seem to be what you are looking for. Every user has their own private Desktop, you cannot merge these. However, what you see in your Desktop is more than just what's in your own Desktop. All users see a Desktop that is a combination of their private one and the Public one. Apps that install a shortcut on the Desktop often do so in the Public Desktop so that all users see it.
Any folders or documents you put in the Public Desktop are available to all users. So I suggest you create a folder or two on the Public Desktop then each user can move their private files/folders from their own Desktop into these folders on the Public one. Then there will be just one copy in one central place and accessible to all users. If you do this, remember to include the Public Desktop in any backup regime you use.
The One Drive Desktop is presumably there for syncing that particular user's private Desktop across their other devices.
- actually you can, by modifying a registry key to point to a new desktop folder on another drive or partition, for example, rather than using the Location tab in Properties.Every user has their own private Desktop, you cannot merge these.
There is then no per user restriction on access to that folder. No problem with feature updates (upgrades).
There are not different desktop folders for each user. If you have a odd Onedrive folder that is in the same user folder as an existing one, you just need to delete that odd one.
If I delete that "odd" One Drive Folder (which also contains my desktop data) it will also delete all my desktop folders and files. It seems they are linked somehow. When I try to change location I get this message:
See the tutorial Dalchina gave you earlier...
Auto Save Desktop to OneDrive or This PC in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
It seems you have autosave set to OneDrive, try setting it to 'This PC'.
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