How do I make “Documents” under This PC refer to a local folder?

KyleDelaney · 16 Apr 2017

In the left folder tree panel in File Explorer, there are root folders including Quick Access, OneDrive, This PC, etc. Under This PC, there are several folders like Downloads and Music which refer to local directories as expected. But This PC > Documents refers to OneDrive/Documents. This is inconsistent and surprising, and can very easily screw me up. Is there a way to correct this so that the folders under This PC are all local?

If the solution is to change the location in the folder's properties, I get this error when I try that.

Brink · 16 Apr 2017

Hello Kyle, :)

Check using the tutorial below to see if you may have set "Documents" to automatically save to "OneDrive" by default. If you do, set it to "This PC" instead, then see if you are able to move the folder.

Auto Save Documents and Pictures to OneDrive or This PC in Windows 10 - Windows 10 General Tips Tutorials

KyleDelaney · 17 Apr 2017

Thank you, Brink. My OneDrive autosave settings are already set to this PC only. I still cannot move the folder.

I see in that thread that AnubhavArun seems to be having the same problem as me.

I should add that in File Explorer both the This PC area and the Kyle Delaney area link only to my OneDrive Documents and Pictures and not my local Documents and Pictures.

Durangoforcards · 18 Jun 2017

I have this same problem. Did you find a solution?

KyleDelaney · 19 Jun 2017

I didn't. Right now I'm just working around it. I've renamed Document and Pictures to "OneDrive Documents" and "OneDrive Pictures" so I don't get confused, but their names get reset sometimes and I don't know what triggers it.

Brink · 19 Jun 2017

Hello Kyle and Durangoforcards, :)

Check using Option One in the tutorial below to see what it shows as the current location of your Documents and Pictures folders in This PC.

If it's not in the default "C:\Users\<username>" folder, then you could use the method in option 1 to move it back.

Restore Default Location of Personal Folders in Windows 10 Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

Durangoforcards · 19 Jun 2017

The Documents doesn't display the Location tab:

Pictures shows the Location Tab

But after step 6 in the instructions, I get the following message:

When I reply yes, I get the following message:

This is all using the Pictures folder. There is no option to change the Documents folder

Thank you for the help

Brink · 19 Jun 2017

Those are your OneDrive folders, and not your user folders. It's a good thing you didn't move the folder.

Go ahead and post a screenshot showing where you see these folders at to see what may be happening.

Durangoforcards · 19 Jun 2017

The screen shot I sent is from File Explorer, I right clicked on the Documents and Pictures under This PC in the dashboard and chose displayed Properties to show the OneDrive folder.

If I choose Documents This PC under Frequent folders, it shows Documents on my c drive:

Brink · 19 Jun 2017

You have "Quick access" opened in File Explorer instead of "This PC". "This PC" under those folders just indicate that they are are stored on "This PC" in their default "C:\Users\tomst" location.

What location did you have open that contained Documents and Pictures in your OneDrive folder from post #7 above?