Duplicate Downloads folder keeps appearing

Yossu · 28 Dec 2021

Windows 10 Version 21H1 (OS Build 19043.1415) 64-bit

When I installed Windows 10, I moved the Downloads, Music and Pictures folders to a second drive. I did this using the Location tab of the Properties.

For some reason, every now and then, Windows creates a second Downloads folder in C:\Users\MyUserName. It doesn't do this for Music or Pictures.

I can delete the folder, but sooner or later it will come back again.

Anyone know why this is happening and what I can do to prevent it?

Thanks

dalchina · 28 Dec 2021

I would guess that you're using a program that doesn't respect the change of location and has the default hard coded, so the folder is recreated.

This is the sort of risk you run with modifications like this. You are dependent on all programmers observing the appropriate conventions.

Berton · 28 Dec 2021

To add to what @dalchina said, many times the twice-yearly Version Upgrades will remove customizations, puts things back to a normal condition. Once in awhile a Build update to those Upgrades will do something.

MaloK · 28 Dec 2021

You can create a Hard link or a junction to replace the folder... It will always appear as existent and any unaware software will download to your new location without knowing it .

Yossu · 28 Dec 2021

Thanks to all of you for the replies.
@MaloK Do I just delete the Downloads folder (that is currently pointing to my second drive) and replace it with a hard lin named Downloads, or is there something else that I'd need to do.

MaloK · 28 Dec 2021

Yossu said:

Thanks to all of you for the replies.
@MaloK Do I just delete the Downloads folder (that is currently pointing to my second drive) and replace it with a hard lin named Downloads, or is there something else that I'd need to do.

Well your hard link should point to the new download location. (when you open it it goes to your new folder)

besides this nothing much but Wait for software to use your link. it should be seamless.

Yossu · 28 Dec 2021

OK, thanks

KeithM · 29 Dec 2021

In the registry, under:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Verify that you have values named:

{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
{7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}

And that the data for both values is the path to your reciredcted Downloads folder.

Edit the paths and/or create the values as necessary.

dalchina · 29 Dec 2021

You don't HAVE to relocate these at all to gain much the same benefits.
These are not 'special' folders- you can create your own libraries and folders.

From a different perspective, here's what I do:
a. create my own My Downloads, My Pictures or whatever folders on the second drive (or partition).
b. leave the default ones in place.

That has several benefits:
a. Programs - typically multimedia ones- often create working folders in the default library folders (Documents, Videos, Music). I don't want these mixed with my personal files. Those remain with the installed programs on C:
b. I don't run into issues of relocating the folders.
c. And naturally I still benefit from having my data on a separate disk (or partition perhaps) independent of O/S maintenance- including any potential clean install.

And should I wish- and htis would be relevant in a PC with multiple users- these new folders could be included in the existing libraries - or I could create new libraries - so they won't be seen by other users.

Yossu · 29 Dec 2021

@KeithM Yup, got both of those and set correctly.

@dalchina Interesting suggestion. I relocated them mainly because it keeps my user folder neater, rather than having two downloads folders. I don't use any of the sort of features you mention like libraries and so on, I prefer to maintain my own and not have some software start messing around with my files. However, I can see the benefits of such an idea.

Thanks again.