Messed Up Changing the Location of the Downloads Folder in Windows 10


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Messed Up Changing the Location of the Downloads Folder in Windows 10


    Hi - this is my first post. I'd appreciate some help correcting an error I made in moving the system folders on my new laptop. I'm running Windows 10 Pro, version 1909. I created a Data partition (D:) on the SSD. I want to move the system folders (Downloads, Documents, Music, etc.) to this partition as I had done on my old laptop. Unfortunately, I messed up moving the Downloads folder to the D drive. I forgot to first create a Downloads folder on the D drive and just entered the path D:/ . So it appears that the entire partition was set-up for Downloads. I attempted to reverse my steps by restoring the Downloads folder to it's original location, C:\Users\andre. I then created a Downloads folder in D: and went through the steps to change the location of the Downloads folder again. However, when I attempted to move the Documents folder over to the D drive, I get an error message "Can't move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can't be redirected." I'm stuck and would appreciate some help. Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,175
    Windows 11 Pro (latest update ... forever anal)
       #2

    Restore Default Location of Personal Folders in Windows 10

    Scroll down and download the bat files to restore default locations ... then start again.

    You may have to copy your user files back to the system location(s).
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi - thanks for your advice. I ran the bat file for the Downloads folder. I didn't notice that the location changed in properties. I changed it manually, back to the default. I then created a Downloads folder on D: and moved the Downloads folder there. Confirmed that the properties changed. I created a Documents folder on D: . When I attempted to move the Documents folder to D: I got the same error message again: "Can't move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can't be redirected. Access is denied." Any thoughts on how to address this error?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,436
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    What folders do you have within Documents? Do you have any links (hard, soft or junctions) set up in Documents?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi - there were no files in the Documents folder. I found this thread Unable to change location of pictures and documents folders which suggested that the problem is related to the OneDrive folders. I uninstalled OneDrive, but now I have a new error message which says C:\Users\andree\OneDrive\Documents is unavailable. I also seen another folder C:\Users\andre which is the one I assume I should move, but there is no Location tab in the Documents properties screen.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18,436
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    In the registry (accessed via the regedit command), what is the value of "Personal" under:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks all for your help. I had to edit the registry entries for the shell folders as they still all pointed to OneDrive, even though I had uninstalled it.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 21:26.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums