Need help re: win10 file structure

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  1. Posts : 72
    Windows 10 - 64 bit, currently version 1909
       #1

    Need help re: win10 file structure


    My PC was fried and I bought a new one and had the store tech copy my data to it. In addition to the dead motherboard he said my old hard drive appeared to be "close to" failing as well, and that he had to do the restore several times. I seem to have all my data, but am confused about what my new File Explorer looks like. (Since it's a new desktop I want to start as clean as I can)

    Main issue: Under This PC I have a Documents folder with a couple of files in it. Then, I have another Documents folder with most of my data in it. example:

    This PC
    Documents
    File A
    File B
    File C
    Documents
    File D
    File E
    etc.

    I want it to show as
    This PC
    Documents
    File A
    File B
    File C
    File D
    File E
    etc.

    I have tried to "Move" the files into the top Documents, and I've tried "Copy/Paste" to do the same....but I'm still left with almost all my user data under Documents/Documents/Files; and I'm afraid I'm ending up creating duplicate or triplicate files.

    And, because I needed more space (dummy me-I bought a new PC that had a smaller hard drive than my old one) The tech installed another drive and named it 2020 New Disc and it has all the same files in a nested Documents folder.

    Perhaps the answer is easy and I'm just missing something. Panic mode does that to me.

    Can anyone tell me how to get everything under one Documents folder instead of two levels?

    WINVER = 1909 (Build 18363.1082)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,966
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #2

    It's difficult to fully understand a verbal description of such a thing. Please would you post a screenshot of what you have and a sketch of what you want.

    To avoid being asked for more later, include a screenshot of C:\Users\<YourUserName> aswell.


    If you ever want to post diagrams of any kind then you can refer to any of this set of guidance articles. Just select the appropriate tool for any particular job.

    Take a screenshot- TenForumsTutorials
    Take a screen snip with Snip and Sketch - TenForumsTutorials
    Steps Recorder - TenForumsTutorials

    and A basic guide to using the Snipping tool - TenForums
    and, for photos, How to tidy up computer screen photo - TenForums

    How to upload and post screenshots and files - TenForumsTutorials
    How to remove a screenshot or image from a TenForums post - TenForumsTutorials

    How to post a screenshot of Disk management - TenForumsTutorials

    Denis
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,604
    Win 10 home 20H2 19042.1110
       #3

    Were these document files created under a "new Documents" folder on your old machine and saved?

    Documents
    File D
    File E
    etc.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 43,095
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    he said my old hard drive appeared to be "close to" failing as well, and that he had to do the restore several times
    Two ways (free!) to help protect yourself.
    a. Monitor the state of your disks. E.g. Crystal Diskinfo - can be configured to alert you when the condition degrades against set thresholds, by various means.

    b. so very often, tenforums members recommend using disk imaging regularly and routinely. E.g. Macrium Reflect (free) + large enough external storage for disk image files.

    Then - even if your disk fails- or if your PC is stolen- and your disk images are securely stored- you can recover without paying for help. Stress free, and you have full backups.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 72
    Windows 10 - 64 bit, currently version 1909
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Solved - Win 10 files in multiple folders


    I've done a lot of research on Win 10 and it's file explorer. I had not taken into account that Win 10 shows the same file in a gazillion places. Wish it wouldn't do that, but.... On the advice I've gleaned from previous posts I've downloaded dupeGuru and ran it. I only have a handful of actual duplicates. Yay! I won't be able to have explorer look like I wanted, but I'm OK with that. No use trying to pound a square peg into a round hole.

    That you all so much for your input.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 72
    Windows 10 - 64 bit, currently version 1909
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Win 10 File Structure to Messy


    I thought maybe I understood this, but still think that something is wrong. I'm going to try to include some screenshots to help you know what I'm fretting about.

    Screenshot 1 and 2 are the file structure, it was so long I made a screenshot of the top and bottom of the folders.
    The C users file is a picture of the C:/Users files.
    Screenshot 4 is the way I would like the end result to look.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Need help re: win10 file structure-screenshot-1-.png   Need help re: win10 file structure-screenshot-2-.png   Need help re: win10 file structure-c-users.png   Need help re: win10 file structure-screenshot-4-.png  
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 16,966
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #7

    Your files are in C:\Users\%UserName%
    - If you go there you might find that this is a more logical view than you saw before.

    Your screenshots are of you using the special shortcuts [that appear to be folders but are not] under This PC that take you to folders within C:\Users\%UserName%

    I suggest that you hide those special shortcuts and then assess the layout again.
    Add or Remove Folders from This PC - TenForumsTutorials
    - This procedure does not delete any files or change any folder structures. It just hides those special shortcuts that appear to be folders but aren't.

    Denis
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 72
    Windows 10 - 64 bit, currently version 1909
    Thread Starter
       #8

    see attached document
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Need help re: win10 file structure-screenshot-6-.png  
    Last edited by way2ob2se; 10 Oct 2020 at 14:41. Reason: folder structure unclear due to formatting
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,966
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #9

    1 Right-click on
    C:\Users\%UserName%\Documents
    select Properties and report back whether or not it has a Location tab.
    - I suspect that it does.

    2 Right-click on
    C:\Users\%UserName%\Documents\Documents
    select Properties and report back whether or not it has a Location tab.
    - I suspect not.
    - This means you/that shop created the folder and you can move all your files out of it then delete it.
    - But you should first look in it to see which applications have been saving their files there. You should check these applications to ensure that they have not got C:\Users\%UserName%\Documents\Documents set as their default folder [and change their default if they have].

    Because of the history you described, it's possible that this strange state of affairs came about when the shop made repeated attempts to recover your data. It might well be that some files are in both of the Documents folders.

    If you have any further questions, please post a screenshot of the relevant bit of File explorer and please write your questions in the post not in an attached picture [I cannot see your text clearly while I am trying to reply to you].
    A basic guide to using the Snipping tool - TenForums
    How to upload and post screenshots and files - TenForumsTutorials

    Denis

    It's late here but I'll stay online for a while longer so I can catch your reply today rather than make you wait until tomorrow.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 16,966
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #10

    That sub-folder 'My data sources' is normally the result of database use and you'd probably have to go into something like its 'ODBC database' options to change the path it uses. I haven't used that for several years now so I cannot be any particular help with it.
    In MS Office Access 2007 the option is in the External data tab, Import section, More, ODBC database

    That sub-folder 'Norton identity safe backups' might also need careful handling if you are not to lose anything. I have never used this.

    The other sub-folders of C:\Users\%UserName%\Documents\Documents don't look [to me] as though they are going to be awkward.

    Denis
      My Computer


 

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