New
#1
Why does windows think it's installed on a non-existent directory?
I am running Windows 10 Pro 64 bit.
(upgraded from windows 7 ultimate 64 bit)
I was annoyed that it chose a username that I didn't like so I updated the registry & so forth to change it and it worked fine... the only thing that was goofy after is that the start menu and search wouldn't work. I tried the common fixes and that didn't work. After running scannow I found that it thought there was duplicate permissions on files causing an issue. I fixed that re-specifying ownership & running restore health command. But it didn't resolve the start/search issue. I can't add another user or anything because that 'startup' (I forget what it's called) that controls that won't run.
So, I thought I would run a startup repair .. .when I did that, it failed but it showed me something bizarre. It specified my windows directory as K:/WINDOWS!!! wtf? My K drive is a DVD burner so obviously there are no files stored there. I looked at the log file (in c directory) and it also specified K. That's obviously the root of the problem. I also noticed things like when I installed a font by right clicking and choosing install it didn't actually send to C. It's like it's sending things into an abyss thinking K is the right location. Also, I use team viewer to access various devices remotely and it thinks my C drive is less that 10% available but I actually have a lot more space - it must be looking at this K:\ path as well.
So... my question is, is there somewhere in the registry where I can tell windows no you're on C drive so that thinks can point back to the right place again, run my startup repair and go on with life?? Has anyone else ever experienced this?
I'm hoping there is a way to restore this without reinstalling windows. I'd rather not reinstall all my software if I don't have to. I know how to do that and I'm willing but I'd like to keep it as a last resort if possible.
Thank you