I messed up my Desktop file index entry


  1. rtcary
    Posts : 65
    Windows 10
       New #1

    I messed up my Desktop file index entry


    Somehow in my desire to change what is backup in OneDrive, I messed up the file index entry for my Desktop. There are folders and files on my Desktop, BUT when I go to the File Explorer, Desktop, it is empty...ouch.

    Not sure what I did, but can I restore Desktop? Get it to show what is actually showing on my deskto

    Many thanks for helping an idiot.

    \rtc

    Windows Pro 20H2
      My Computer
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  3. spunk
    Posts : 4,798
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #2

    Go to C:\Users\UserName\ right click the Desktop folder choose Properties/Location/Restore Default.
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  4. dalchina
    Posts : 42,991
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #3

    You can try accessing your onedrive account on line and see if the desktop content is there.

    Another possibility is to see if you can access older copies backed up by Onedrive:
    View, Restore, and Delete Previous Versions of Files on OneDrive
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  6. rtcary
    Posts : 65
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    In examining what is on the desktop and are not showing in the Desktop index entry are only links. So, I removed them and reentered those that I need/want.

    Neither of the suggested methods worked - could it be that Links are treated differently?

    Many thanks...

    \rtc
      My Computer
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  7. dalchina
    Posts : 42,991
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #5

    Sorry, no more ideas. Personally I don't use Onedrive- I found it too problematic, and there are threads here periodically where people have had problems. Others like it.

    Reading between your posts, do I understand you to be saying you can see shortcuts, but not files and folders you want?

    Do you have any other backup? Disk imaging is recommended here time and again...

    Please confirm you tried Option 2 in the tutorial.

    OPTION TWO

    View, Restore, Download, and Open Previous Versions of Files on OneDrive at Onedrive.live.com

    1     Go to Onedrive.live.com, and sign in if not already.
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  8. rtcary
    Posts : 65
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    I checked my OneDrive for any missing files, and fortunately there were not any. However, I do recall cleaning up my desktop, so that is not a surprise. What I found to be of interest is that the links on the desktop were not listed on OneDrive - no loss.

    I removed the Desktop links and replaced them - all is now on OneDrive. My Desktop and Download directories are actually on my D: drive which I backup, so OneDrive is only important to me so I can access the data from my notebook.

    \rtc
      My Computer
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