Windows 7 Why do I have multiple "My Documents' folders in user window?

[tape]

When I click on my personal folder icon on right side of start menu, I see a listing of all that is located in my C:/Users/Personal folder, PLUS 4 additional My Documents folders. I have my HD partitioned so my documents are on D: One of the 'My Doc' folders refers to the empty folder on my C:, and then I have 4 more that all are linked to the actual documents folder on my D: Deleting the extra 3 doesn't help in that when I tried that I found I actually deleted all my documents (TG for backups). All the D: document folders have identical sizes, the same dates & contents. Because the document folder is 75 gig big, I can't just place one in the trash to see what happens. How do I get rid of all that I don't want to see in my personal folder? BTW--this is on a new laptop running Win7pro

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are facing a duplicate folder issue where multiple "My Documents" folders are showing up in your Personal folder on a Windows 7 Professional laptop. This kind of issue can be caused by incorrect folder redirection settings or syncing issues. Here's how you can resolve this problem:

Solution Steps:​

1. Check Folder Redirection Settings:
   • Open Windows Explorer and navigate to one of the duplicated "My Documents" folders on your D: drive.
   • Right-click on the folder and select "Properties."
   • Go to the "Location" tab and check the folder path. Make sure it is pointing to the correct location on the D: drive.
   []Reset Folder Redirection:
   • To avoid data loss, it's crucial to back up your data before making any changes.
   • Open the Group Policy Editor by pressing Windows Key + R, typing gpedit.msc, and hitting Enter.
   • Navigate to User Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Folder Redirection.
   • Right-click on "My Documents" and choose "Properties."
   • Set the setting to "Basic - Redirect everyone's folder to the same location."
   • Apply the changes and restart the computer.
   []Remove Duplicate Folders:
   • After ensuring that your data is safely backed up, you can try deleting the duplicate "My Documents" folders from your Personal folder. Make sure you select the correct folders on the D: drive.
   []Restore Deleted Files (if needed):
   • If you accidentally deleted important documents, you can try restoring them from your backups.
   []Prevent Automatic Syncing:
   • Disable any synchronization software that may be causing the folders to reappear or sync incorrectly.

     Note:​

     • It's important to be cautious when deleting folders to prevent accidental loss of data.
     • Ensure you have backups of your important files before making any changes.
     By following these steps, you should be able to remove the unwanted duplicate "My Documents" folders from your Personal folder on Windows 7. If you need further assistance or encounter any issues, feel free to ask for help!