Windows 8 I somehow renamed my downloads folder to desktop and now my desktop and downloads folder are linked.

[BlockBlazerMC]

I have no idea how i did this, but while I was trying to change my downloads folder location, I managed to make my desktop the downloads folder. then when I tried to move it back, I somehow linked two folders... Here's a screenshot of my directory folder:

If someone knows how to fix this, PLEASE help! I don't want my file system all f***ed up.

 

[kemical]

Have you considered using system restore?

 

[jcgriff2]

Definitely try Windows System Restore first.

If no-go, let's get a look at your user shell folders.

http://www.sysnative.com/apps/shell_folders_jcgriff2.bat

Run that batch script. It takes a few seconds; a Notepad will open.

Paste the results into your next post.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

 

[BlockBlazerMC]

Have you considered using system restore?

No, because I don't want my files to be deleted.

Definitely try Windows System Restore first.

If no-go, let's get a look at your user shell folders.

http://www.sysnative.com/apps/shell_folders_jcgriff2.bat

Run that batch script. It takes a few seconds; a Notepad will open.

Paste the results into your next post.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

ok, so when I ran system restore, it got rid of some important programs, which was exactly why I didn't want to run it in the first place, furthermore, system restore did not fix my file directories. Here is the log from your batch file:

Spoiler: Log

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Desktop REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Local AppData REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local
Startup REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Cookies REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies
SendTo REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
Personal REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Documents
Recent REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
Favorites REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
My Pictures REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Pictures
Start Menu REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
NetHood REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
My Music REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Music
My Video REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Videos
Cache REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache
Programs REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
History REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Templates REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
AppData REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming
PrintHood REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts

 

[jcgriff2]

Hi. . .

Thank you for the user shell folder listing.

Somehow, your Downloads shell folder got changed to Desktop.

Your system:
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Should be:
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Downloads

Create a system restore point.
Go into Regedit - go to -

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders​

Scroll down/locate {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}​

Double-click on the icon next to it; paste in %USERPROFILE%\Downloads​

As for your lost programs, before doing the above, revert the restore point. Go into System Restore - there s/b a selection to un-do the restore.

Search | type rstrui | select restore point​

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

 

[BlockBlazerMC]

Hi. . .

Thank you for the user shell folder listing.

Somehow, your Downloads shell folder got changed to Desktop.

Your system:
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Should be:
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Downloads

Create a system restore point.
Go into Regedit - go to -

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders​

Scroll down/locate {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}​

Double-click on the icon next to it; paste in %USERPROFILE%\Downloads​

As for your lost programs, before doing the above, revert the restore point. Go into System Restore - there s/b a selection to un-do the restore.

Search | type rstrui | select restore point​

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

Alright, It seemed to work, thank you. However, the old "desktop" downloads folder is still there. I can see that regedit has made a shortcut to my downloads folder that is named "Downloads", but the original "desktop" is still there. If its not to much to ask for, is there a way to rename this correctly?