Accidentally merged Downloads folder with Documents Folder

jped · 14 Apr 2020

The Downloads folder is showing my D drive and all the data - as is the Documents folder
I was trying to transfer all my data from c drive to d drive
I need to demerge the two and reset the folders

I have seem a previous post where Greg Carmack gave a thread to a Tenforum document using a bat file to recreate a downloads folder or any Personal folder

I was looking for advice as to whether this would work in my case. I did not want to make an error changing the registry as this may be fatal? Should I just attempt a system restore of C drive? If so how is this best achieved? (eg do I have to turn off Bitdefender antivirus to make it work etc.)

dalchina · 14 Apr 2020

More likey you'd need to restore appropriate disk images. tenforums members tirelessly recommend the routine use of disk imaging to give you a relatively stress-free way to recover from user errors, unbootable systems, PC theft (by restoring to a new PC!)...

E.g. Macrium Reflect free/paid. But if you haven't discovered the value of using disk imaging yet, I'm afraid it's too late.

Did you make a mistake when using the Location tab? If so, that's why I asked for the addition of text in the relevant tutorials to include the warning to ensure there's a current image as horrible mistakes can be made.

Searching this list:
Windows 10 Tutorial Index
and searching for 'restore default' finds e.g.
Restore Default Libraries in Windows 10
and there are tutorials for individual ones listed below the main text.

Perhaps that's what you are thinking of.

But I suggest you make no changes until offered further advice from someone who's tried to untangle this sort of thing.

KeithM · 14 Apr 2020

Under:

Code:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

When redirected, Downloads & Documents each have two values under this key. In each pair, both keys should have the same path.
Documents:

Pesonal
{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}

Downloads:

{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
{7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}

If you moved the files when you relocated the folders, they will alll be in the root of D:\ & you will have to sort out manually. Delete any desktop.ini files that your find (you have to enable viewing all hidden files)

spunk · 14 Apr 2020

Restore the User file to Default Restore Default Location of Personal Folders in Windows 10