Quick access issue - Can't delete two Automatic Destinations strings

JackAdrian · 18 Sep 2020

I've tried everything and come close, but no cigar regarding removal of one item in Quick access. That one item is a link to a now-empty but formerly full G: partition. The problem is I am unable to delete the f01b4d95cf55d32a.automaticDestinations-ms and 5f7b5f1e01b83767.automaticDestinations-ms strings. I have been able to delete all the other automaticdestination strings.

Windows 10.0.19041

The issue stems from replacing the dead main hard drive with a new 2TB drive. I partitioned it. Half for the OS, half for document. I put My Documents files and Download(ed) files in the other (G:) partition. Downloads became a subfolder of Documents. When I tried to move/change location of the Downloads folder, I received some message about "Do you really want to do this? It cannot be undone." I went ahead.

Then that "Duh" moment. Don't put user files on the OS drive. I reformatted the G: drive. Left it empty. All was well. From that moment, G:\ keeps appearing in Quick access and nothing I have done has removed it. The G:\ in Quick access keeps looking for the Downloads folder. I try adding a blank Downloads folder to G:\ to make it happy, but that doesn't work.

Therein is my problem to which I refer in the first paragraph. 4-5 hours on this. Time for a beer.

dalchina · 18 Sep 2020

Hi, is it very long since you presumably clean installed Win 10 on the new drive?

The tutorials on using the Location tab specifically warn you to create a disk (system) image before doing so- I asked that warning be put there, because it's so easy to make serious mistakes. Do you use disk imaging as is recommended in those tutorials and so, so often advocated by tenforums members?

E.g. Macrium Reflect (free).

You can restore the default locations:
Restore Default Location of Personal Folders in Windows 10

Make sure you have a backup of any data beforehand.

G: - it appears pinned to Quick Access. Can you rt click it and unpin it?

If it's a favourite, see
Add or Remove Favorites from Quick Access in Windows 10

JackAdrian · 18 Sep 2020

dalchina said:

Hi, is it very long since you presumably clean installed Win 10 on the new drive?

The tutorials on using the Location tab specifically warn you to create a disk (system) image before doing so- I asked that warning be put there, because it's so easy to make serious mistakes. Do you use disk imaging as is recommended in those tutorials and so, so often advocated by tenforums members?

E.g. Macrium Reflect (free).

You can restore the default locations:
Restore Default Location of Personal Folders in Windows 10

Make sure you have a backup of any data beforehand.

G: - it appears pinned to Quick Access. Can you rt click it and unpin it?

If it's a favourite, see
Add or Remove Favorites from Quick Access in Windows 10

Thanks dalchina. I had not seen the "warnings" of which you speak. I am one who backs up consistently and sets restore points assiduously. I corrected the problem. Thanks.