Win 11 Downloads merged with Desktop, Two Desktops show in User Folder

Anonymous
2025-01-20T19:23:17+00:00

I turned the computer on today and found this mess. Somehow the default Downloads folder is merged with the desktop, though they both maintain separate contents. The system thinks Downloads still exists, the folder file path points to it, despite the name being different. I haven't changed anything in the system except for adding books to Calibre, which doesn't touch the Downloads folder. Here are my screenshots. Thank you for the help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
EmilyS726 271.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-01-20T22:21:49+00:00

OK good.. those registries are all good, so I don't think we have an integrity issue here, that means we should be able to simply rename it.

In your File explorer, right click on the Desktop folder that's actually pointing to Downloads folder path, use the rename option, and rename it back to Downloads. See if it sticks. It should as I tested on mine and it lets me.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments

11 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. EmilyS726 271.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-20T20:35:03+00:00

    Yeah. I can’t see it. Try this.

    Hold down windows + shift + s keys to open shipping tool. Then select the area you want to screenshot and use Ctr + V in your reply to me.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-20T20:32:36+00:00

    I'm not sure why images won't show correctly. Let me upload to my google drive instead.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-20T20:31:39+00:00

    I posted that above, but apparently it isn't loading correctly, I'm sorry. Let me see if I can fix it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. EmilyS726 271.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-20T20:11:41+00:00

    Hello.

    Please type regedit in the search on the taskbar to launch registry editor, and go to this path, then take a screenshot and share in your reply.

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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments