i merged my downloads folder and C:\Users\bob how do undo it

Anonymous
2025-02-15T03:33:40+00:00

i moved my downloads folder and documents folder to a diffrent drive then when i tried to move it back i messed up and made it the user profile folder instead of in the folder. i cant change location nor can i restore default.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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Ramesh 182.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2025-02-15T05:20:33+00:00

Ok. It's a cosmetic issue actually.

Open admin Command Prompt and run:

  • del "%userprofile%\desktop.ini" /a

Log off and log back into your account.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-02-15T04:32:48+00:00

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

    AppData    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming 
    
    Cache    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache 
    
    Cookies    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies 
    
    Favorites    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Favorites 
    
    History    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History 
    
    Local AppData    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local 
    
    My Music    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Music 
    
    My Video    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Videos 
    
    NetHood    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts 
    
    PrintHood    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts 
    
    Programs    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs 
    
    Recent    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent 
    
    SendTo    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo 
    
    Start Menu    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 
    
    Startup    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 
    
    Templates    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates 
    
    {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Downloads 
    
    Desktop    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    C:\Users\imzac\OneDrive\Desktop 
    
    My Pictures    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    C:\Users\imzac\OneDrive\Pictures 
    
    Personal    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Documents 
    
    {F42EE2D3-909F-4907-8871-4C22FC0BF756}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Documents 
    
    {0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\OneDrive\Pictures 
    
    {A52BBA46-E9E1-435F-B3D9-28DAA648C0F6}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    F:\OneDrive - Personal\OneDrive 
    
    {7D83EE9B-2244-4E70-B1F5-5393042AF1E4}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%
    

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  2. Ramesh 182.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-02-15T03:54:47+00:00

    If you can't access the Location tab, let's fix it via the registry.

    From a Command Prompt window, run:

    • reg.exe query "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" | clip

    (The above command queries the shell folder registry settings and copies the output to the clipboard.)

    Paste the contents (Ctrl + V) from your clipboard into your reply window.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-15T03:50:56+00:00

    i do not have the location option and have tried the reg edit both didnt work

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

    AppData    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming 
    
    Cache    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache 
    
    Cookies    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies 
    
    Favorites    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Favorites 
    
    History    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History 
    
    Local AppData    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local 
    
    My Music    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Music 
    
    My Video    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Videos 
    
    NetHood    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts 
    
    PrintHood    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts 
    
    Programs    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs 
    
    Recent    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent 
    
    SendTo    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo 
    
    Start Menu    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu 
    
    Startup    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup 
    
    Templates    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates 
    
    {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Downloads 
    
    Desktop    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    C:\Users\imzac\OneDrive\Desktop 
    
    My Pictures    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    C:\Users\imzac\OneDrive\Pictures 
    
    Personal    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Documents 
    
    {F42EE2D3-909F-4907-8871-4C22FC0BF756}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\Documents 
    
    {0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%\OneDrive\Pictures 
    
    {A52BBA46-E9E1-435F-B3D9-28DAA648C0F6}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    F:\OneDrive - Personal\OneDrive 
    
    {7D83EE9B-2244-4E70-B1F5-5393042AF1E4}    REG\_EXPAND\_SZ    %USERPROFILE%  
    

    Image

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  4. Ramesh 182.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-02-15T03:42:33+00:00
    1. Click the "Restore default" option in the Location tab.
    2. Click Yes when you’re prompted to create the folder in the new (destination) path.
    3. **Important Step** Choose No when you see the “Do you want to move all the files from the old location” prompt.

    If you can't access the Location tab, let's fix it via the registry.

    From a Command Prompt window, run:

    • reg.exe query "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" | clip

    (The above command queries the shell folder registry settings and copies the output to the clipboard.)

    Paste the contents (Ctrl + V) from your clipboard into your reply window.

    Was this answer helpful?

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