Duplicated Documents and Pictures folders

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  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #1

    Duplicated Documents and Pictures folders


    I have discovered that I have two Documents and two Pictures folders: one of each is in "This PC" and one in "Windows (C)>Users>[my name]". They are not synced and I seem to have to copy files from one to the other to get them to show the same; if I don't I have problems finding files as I don't necessarily remember to which folder I have saved them. Can anyone tell me, please, why I have this situation and whether I can delete one folder or the other. I note that when i go to the Windows (C) folder "This PC" is shown in the address bar before the rest as quoted above but, as I say, the content of each is not the same unless I take laborious steps to make it so.
    With thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #2

    This probably is not the right way to fix it, but it might be a possible solution....................

    Create another user account with the same privileges > logon to it > see if you have duplicates as well.
    If no duplicates, use this new account for a few days. If still no duplicates, time to go back to the old account > backup files you want to keep > then delete the old account.

    I am suggesting the above under the assumption that your user account is corrupted.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #3

    I have a similar problem, but not exact.

    I've moved my user data folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) from their original location to a specific Data folder. All my other data (email, graphics, etc.) also are in this folder and it makes it easy to sync between my desktop and notebook for when I travel.

    I've notices a couple of times that I'll get an empty duplicate icon in the User Folder for the Desktop and Documents. There's nothing in these folders and the Properties show then in the User Folder as were the original folders before I relocated them.

    The system still sees the ones I've moved into my Data folder as the correct Desktop and Documents and anything I change in either of these locations appear in the correct folder. Deleting the new folders creates no error message or issues with the OS.

    So I'm curious why these extra icons are being created, why windows doesn't see it as an issue to create a second "Desktop" and "Document" folder/icon in the User Folder and, of course, how do I stop it?

    Thx
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Duplicated Documents and Pictures folders


    David, thank you for your suggestion. I tried to create another account in my wife's name but if I try to log in with that I just get an error message to say that the user profile could not be loaded so I'm no further forward. I think there are fixes available but they seem to involve editing the registry which I don't want to try. Perhaps somebody else can come up with another idea.

    davidhk said:
    This probably is not the right way to fix it, but it might be a possible solution....................

    Create another user account with the same privileges > logon to it > see if you have duplicates as well.
    If no duplicates, use this new account for a few days. If still no duplicates, time to go back to the old account > backup files you want to keep > then delete the old account.

    I am suggesting the above under the assumption that your user account is corrupted.
    f
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Pete, thanks for your reply. I might try what you suggest some time but, as you say, how does one stop all this happening in the first place?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I got on to MS online support yesterday afternoon and the technician there seems to have sorted out the problem of the folders not being synced. There is still the weird business of duplicate folders being created when you save something but I think I've seen another thread about that and that it's unsolved.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    As I said earlier, I thought this problem (of Documents folders not being in sync) had been solved but it has returned. Ayone elso got any ideas, please?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I have hit on a solution to this though whether it's the right thing to do I have no idea. I noticed that the Windows(C) folder with the Users folder in it shows as inset under This PC in the left-hand pane of File Explorer. I therefore moved any files not already in This PC Documents from the Windows(C)/Users/Andrew/Documents to the This PC/Documents folder and then deleted the folder in Windows(C). I now have only one folder to save files to but I note that This PC Documents is synced with One Drive, or is it the same folder showing under two headings?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #9

    Although you are free to store your data wherever you wish you have to remember that windows is designed to work with a default structure.

    This default structure is such that, (unless you tell windows where to look, more below ), windows will default to looking for files in these locations.

    These default locations are under the Users folder structure on C:\windows\... ... and may be reset to the correct locations quite easily.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/23504-users-personal-folders-restore-default-location-windows-10-a.html

    when you have the folders correctly set-up, If you wish, you can "move" the actual locations used by use of the Properties/Customize option. [the actual screenshots are shown in the above link], for each folder, (documents, photos, etc), just select the location tab and move the folder to where you want it

    I personally have all my Special user folders on a separate data drive - D:\my stuff\... as I do not want to fill up my SSD system drive with data, but as I used the above method I never see any duplication and things such as homegroup. office and libraries all work without a hitch.

    Tip, when moving things make sure you select the option to move the current contents to prevent any duplicates appearing,
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Barman58, thank you for your prompt reply. I will act on your suggestions when I have time.
      My Computer


 

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