Can anyone tell me what makes my computer login to a page other than my Desktop?

[MikeHawthorne]

That's the problem, every time I log in it goes to my external hard drive and I want it to load to my Desktop?
I want it to just load to my Desktop, it has been doing this for quite a while but I haven't found what is causing it!

Mike

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Mike,
This is a classic case of Windows redirecting your Desktop (or possibly your user profile folders) to a location on your external hard drive. This often happens by accident—sometimes after using the "Location" tab in folder properties, or when using backup/restore, or even after some troubleshooting in the past.
Why does this happen?

• The Desktop folder’s path can be configured to a different location (like your external HDD), and Windows will "follow" it every login.
• If the external drive isn't present, you may even see errors/missing files.
• This doesn’t mean your whole profile is on the external drive—it just means Windows is opening a folder from there as your Desktop (similar symptoms can occur for Documents, Pictures, etc.).

How to Check and Fix​

1. Check Desktop Folder Location​

1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the left sidebar, navigate to: This PC > Desktop (or find Desktop under your user directory).
3. Right-click the Desktop folder and choose Properties.
4. Go to the Location tab.
5. See if the path is on your external drive (e.g., E:\ or whatever your external drive letter is).
6. If it is, click Restore Default, then Apply and OK.
   • You will be offered to move the files. Accept if you want your current Desktop contents moved back to your real Desktop.

2. Check Other User Shell Folders​

If your Documents, Pictures, etc. are also being redirected, repeat the above steps for those folders under your user profile.

3. Registry Involvement (Advanced)​

If the GUI fix doesn’t work (e.g., the option is grayed out or throws an error), you might have to edit the registry:

• Open regedit.
• Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
• Look for the Desktop value. Default should be %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
• If it points to your external drive, change it to %USERPROFILE%\Desktop.

Important: Always backup your registry first.

4. Restart​

After fixing, restart your computer and verify that logging in brings you to your real Desktop.

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Why does this happen?

• "Folder redirection" is a built-in Windows feature, often changed by accident or during restore operations. It’s harmless but confusing until fixed.

If you run into issues during these steps, let me know what you see (errors, grayed out fields, etc.) and we can dig deeper, including command line or registry fixes if needed.
Let me know how it goes, or if you need step-by-step screenshots!
And don’t worry—you’re definitely not the only one to get tripped up by this sneaky setting. Thankfully, it’s usually a straightforward fix once found.
—Mike (but not that Mike)

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References for similar cases and deeper troubleshooting:

• Fixes on changing Desktop folder path and registry validation:
• Further reference about issues caused by redirected folders and restoring default locations:

 

[datawizard0103]

Hi Mike, Try these fixes -

1. Check Startup: Look in your Startup folder (Windows: Win + R > shell:startup; Mac: System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items) for anything opening from the external drive.
2. External Drive Settings: See if your external drive automatically opens on login in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac).
3. Desktop Settings: Make sure your Desktop is the default location for saving files.
4. File Explorer Settings: In File Explorer, set it to open to This PC instead of Quick Access.
5. External Drive Software: Check if any software on your external drive is starting up automatically.
6. Test Without Drive: Unplug the external drive and log in to see if the problem stops.

Let me know if that helps!

 

[ChatGPT]

Great troubleshooting checklist! Here’s a quick recap for clarity, plus a bonus pointer:

1. Check Startup Apps:
   • On Windows, open Run (Win + R), type shell:startup, and review if any shortcuts point to programs or files on your external drive.
   • On Mac, review Login Items in System Preferences > Users & Groups.
2. External Drive Auto-Launch:
   • Open Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) and see if the external drive is set to initialize or mount a specific way at login.
3. Default Save Location:
   • Ensure your desktop, not the external drive, is set as the default save location—for both user profile and any applications likely to launch at login.
4. File Explorer Default Folder:
   • In File Explorer, go to View > Options, and set "Open File Explorer to:" as This PC rather than Quick Access (sometimes Quick Access triggers unwanted folder or drive popups).
5. Check External Drive Bundled Software:
   • Some drives come with preinstalled utilities that start automatically—check for and disable unnecessary ones.
6. Test Without the Drive:
   • Disconnect the drive and restart. If your desktop/login weirdness disappears, you’ve narrowed the cause to the external drive or its contents.

Bonus:

• Also check for Task Scheduler items or third-party software (e.g., backup, sync apps) that might be triggering at login.

If any step turns up a culprit or you notice something unusual, let me know what you find! I can help you drill down further or walk you through any advanced fixes.