Problem with user profile file structure

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  1. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
       #1

    Problem with user profile file structure


    In trying to move one of my libraries (Pictures), I have caused a major problem with my user folders.

    When I moved the Pictures library (using the Move command on the Location tab of the folder's Properties), instead of finding it within the intended target folder, it seemed to have taken over the folder ie. the target folder within which I intended to store the library was now itself called "Pictures".

    I next tried to move the folder back to c:\Users\MyName\, but this achieved a similar result: my user profile folder is now called c:\Users\Pictures; the usual folders are still present within it.

    I checked on the location showing for "My Pictures" in the registry: it was %USERPROFILE%\. I changed it to %USERPROFILE%\Pictures , but this did not help.

    As things currently stand:
    • In place of a folder called MyName (with a standard folder icon) within the c:\Users\ folder, Windows Explorer reports a folder called "Pictures" (with the Pictures library icon). The usual user profile folders are held within this "Pictures" folder.
    • An application that is no longer functioning correctly is trying to access c:\Users\MyName\Pictures\AppData\Roaming\..........

    To add the icing to the cake, I've discovered that System Restore was switched off (I'm in the process of setting up a new PC, and had thought that System Restore was enabled by default - I've now changed my installation procedure to check this at an early stage in future), and so I cannot restore the registry to before the changes were made.

    Where do I go from here ???
    Last edited by Ubtree; 20 Jul 2019 at 10:24.
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  2. Posts : 16,783
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #2

    Did you create the folder %USERPROFILE%\Pictures before changing that Registry value? It sulks if it gets set to a folder that does not exist so
    1 Create the folder
    2 Change the entry in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
    3 Ignore, for the time being, what folders appear to be called in File explorer and check each one of your folder settings in that Registry key [the "Personal" entry means Documents / My documents]. Always create a folder before telling the Registry to use it.

    When all your folders exist & have been set correctly in the Registry, return to File explorer to check for names that appear to have got stuck halfway. For each of these,
    A Select the folder then click in a blank area of File explorer's address bar to see the real folder path [rather than the apparent folder name that might be shown to you on the folder itself]
    B If the real folder path is correct but the apparent folder name is wrong then you can just select the folder and rename it [just like you might do with any other folder you have created yourself].

    Any problems, post back.

    Denis
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16,783
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #3

    An application that is no longer functioning correctly is trying to access c:\Users\MyName\Pictures\AppData\Roaming\..........
    About that,
    - After sorting out all your user folders check that C:\Users\MyName\AppData exists.
    - You'll need to enable showing hidden folders/files to be able to see if it there.
    - It is difficult to accidentally move C:\Users\MyName\AppData so the chances are that the application is just looking in the wrong place rather than there being a fault that needs correcting.
    - Use that application and deliberately save something where it ought to be saved [presumably, C:\Users\MyName\Pictures or wherever you have moved your Pictures folder to].
    - Close then re-open that application and the chances are that it will now start trying to use the proper folder.
    - If not then you'll need to check in the application's options / preferences / settings to see if it has been confused by some item that got set up while your user folders were being shoved around.

    Denis
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Try3 said:
    Did you create the folder %USERPROFILE%\Pictures before changing that Registry value? It sulks if it gets set to a folder that does not exist so
    1 Create the folder
    2 Change the entry in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
    3 Ignore, for the time being, what folders appear to be called in File explorer and check each one of your folder settings in that Registry key [the "Personal" entry means Documents / My documents]. Always create a folder before telling the Registry to use it.
    When all your folders exist & have been set correctly in the Registry, return to File explorer to check for names that appear to have got stuck halfway. For each of these,
    A Select the folder then click in a blank area of File explorer's address bar to see the real folder path [rather than the apparent folder name that might be shown to you on the folder itself]
    B If the real folder path is correct but the apparent folder name is wrong then you can just select the folder and rename it [just like you might do with any other folder you have created yourself].
    Thank you. I've run through this, and the stage that I have reached is that:
    • The profile folder name is still "Pictures" in Explorer (as you can see in the attached image).
    • I have created an empty folder under this folder called "Pictures".
    • In the registry the Pictures key points to the top level user folder (as you can see in the other attached image).
    • If I point the registry key to the Pictures sub-folder (which is where it needs to be), some applications can no longer find any of the user folders.
    • I cannot change the name of the top level user folder to MyName: the right-click menu for this particular folder does include rename as an option.

    Does this make any sense?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Just a thought - would this work?:
    • Create a new user folder - c:\Users\MyName1\
    • Copy the contents of c:\Users\MyName\ (a.k.a. Pictures) to c:\Users\MyName1\
    • Delete c:\Users\MyName\
      (Would I need to move the Pictures library from the original c:\Users\MyName before doing so?)
    • Rename c:\Users\MyName1\ c:\Users\MyName

    If so, would I be able to do this logged onto my usual user account?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Problem with user profile file structure-registry.jpg   Problem with user profile file structure-explorer.jpg  
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  5. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #5

    Make a backup image using Macrium:
    Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything

    Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect


    See if the troubleshooting can be improved with this software:
    (use only after making a backup image)

    Download Account Profile Fixer - MajorGeeks
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  6. Posts : 31,468
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    @Try3, one of the key steps in disentangling merged folders (in the case I looked at it was Pictures and the User profile folder) is to move the desktop.ini files.See this tutorial for more details...


    Undo: Merged your Pictures folder with your User folder
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  7. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thank you, everyone, for all the responses. And a special thanks and round of applause to Bree: the Undo: Merged your Pictures folder with your User folder tutorial was just what I needed. I followed the steps, and they resolved the issue.

    Tenforums is a phenomenal resource, with a some very knowledgeable and talented members.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 31,468
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #8

      My Computers


  9. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #9

    That's great Bree!!!!!!!!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 16,783
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #10

    Bree,

    What an excellent tutorial.

    I had not noticed the existence of that {0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639} entry before.

    Thanks,
    Denis
      My Computer


 

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