Restore Default Location of Personal Folders in Windows 10  

GEOS said:

These .bat files are a LIFESAVER! My locations got screwed up so I used the .bat files to reset to default and then changed to my desired location. No other method worked. THANK YOU.

You probably covered this above, but there is a reason I'd rather not mention as to why I am having trouble following the posts;

Hi after a long hiatus.

Do these bat files still work? Or will they just reset folder locations to the now default user/onedrive/ locations?

Since the win 10 install has changed and there is no longer an option during the install process to save files to computer by default, it would seem (because I was having trouble moving a folder location) that upon inspection of the registry entries, the default locations all have user/onedrive/etc locations.

I don't like playing in the registry, but even after following a tutorial and fixing, some folders could be moved and some couldn't.
This is the location data I used:

Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Folder
Registry key
Default value

Downloads
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Desktop
Desktop
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Favorites
Favorites
%USERPROFILE%\Favorites

Music
My Music
%USERPROFILE%\Music

Pictures
My Pictures
%USERPROFILE%\Pictures

Videos
My Video
%USERPROFILE%\Videos

Documents
Personal
%USERPROFILE%\Documents

Following the guide above, there were still locations that mentioned "onedrive locations" in that HKEY. So I changed them all

I am now not sure if that was wise or why the hell Microsoft still hates me after 25 years

So, this is why I ask, do these bat files still work and if so, will they remove All drive locations that refer to "Onedrive" in the registry key above? Because after strictly following my guide above, some folders couldn't be moved due to remaining onedrive locations... hence changing them all.

I am so, so sorry about the mess above I just posted.

Hi to @Shawn & all old acquaintances.
(Hi @Edwin)

Hello @antspants,

It sounds like you have set to back up those folders to OneDrive. Double check using the tutorial below to make sure they are turned off.

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial | Windows 11 Forum

Afterwards, you can use the BAT files here to restore their default locations if still needed.

Thanks @Brink.
Its horrible because these are new installs this is happening on. I always disable onedrive before I do anything else after installing windows 10. (11 isn't available to me, old pc)

I don't know what is going on. None of the options in the link you gave me at the 11 forum are available on my PC. When I do it, I "unlink" my PC via the cloud icon settings on the taskbar and then run an old batch file you made to disable onedrive all together or for piece of mind (of course when installing Office, one drive comes back and I have to disable it again.

I think I'll just go back to using an old ISO image of windows as apposed to the new 22H2 ISO I grabbed last week. At least that way I can turn the option of saving to the cloud off before the install completes. But, I really appreciate your help.

Cheers.

antspants said:

Thanks @Brink.
Its horrible because these are new installs this is happening on. I always disable onedrive before I do anything else after installing windows 10. (11 isn't available to me, old pc)

I don't know what is going on. None of the options in the link you gave me at the 11 forum are available on my PC. When I do it, I "unlink" my PC via the cloud icon settings on the taskbar and then run an old batch file you made to disable onedrive all together or for piece of mind (of course when installing Office, one drive comes back and I have to disable it again.

I think I'll just go back to using an old ISO image of windows as apposed to the new 22H2 ISO I grabbed last week. At least that way I can turn the option of saving to the cloud off before the install completes. But, I really appreciate your help.

Cheers.

Before unlinking your account in OneDrive, did you check to turn off backing up folders in option 2 or 3?

Brink said:

Before unlinking your account in OneDrive, did you check to turn off backing up folders in option 2 or 3?

Ah sorry, forgot to mention that this suggestion is the only thing I haven't tried. About to fresh install and have a go. Thanks again, I'll let you know, @Brink

Please let us know how it went.

@Brink. Beautifully is how it went. It was the manage cloud folders in this new version that I have never done before.
I can’t thank you enough. You must have some kind of Ai brain
Just brilliant.

Cheers @Brink !!!

antspants said:

@Brink. Beautifully is how it went. It was the manage cloud folders in this new version that I have never done before.
I can’t thank you enough. You must have some kind of Ai brain
Just brilliant.

Cheers @Brink !!!

You're most welcome mate.