Solved Lost view of desktop folders and files

Hi,
When starting my Laptop, the view of folders and files and docs, and also e mails (windows mail) were gone. I know that docs are there, since I can access by opening "word" (or ppt or exel) and open recently used docs.
I've tried all the conventional stuff, eg reset to earlier date, repairing windows files (message: some files cannot be repaired, eg C:\WINDOWS\LOGS\CBS\CBS.log), etc.
HELP!?

regards & txs in advance,
Stapes

You said "the view of folders and files and docs, and also e mails (windows mail) were gone". Where are they missing from?

The Desktop
This PC
Windows Explorer

It sounds a lot like a corrupted user profile and you have been logged in with a new one. Maybe not but that's what it sounds like.

If you look at C:\Users, what folders are shown under there? For instance, mine looks like this:


The red one is my userid.

You could try right clicking on the Desktop and select View / Show desktop icons (if not already selected).

Folders/files icons etc. disappeared off desktop (program icons, eg skype, adobe, etc remain), e mails entirely, in fact I get a "welcome to windows mail" message.
Based on this, I suspect you've nailed the problem, but how do I fix it? I have 3 user IDs under C:\User: public, temp & my own (which shows up upon login).

Txs for assistance, regards, stapes

Before doing any of the following, make a backup of your registry. I suggest you install ERUNT to do this.

Your files are still there. Sounds like your user profile has lost it's connection with where it's data is stored. If you are comfortable with using regedit, try this by booting to Safe Mode by pressing F8 during boot. Login as Administrator, no password.

The key is a registry entry that directs Windows to the ProfileImagePath of the original profile.

Click on Start then Run. type regedit and press Enter or click OK.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

Once there, you will see the SID's listed for all of the profiles on the machine. Something like this:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-18
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-19
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-20
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-21-2734701773-3490380084-605924724-1001
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-21-2734701773-3490380084-605924724-1004
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-21-2734701773-3490380084-605924724-500

Click to expand...

On my system, my profile is under the one that ends in 1001, yours may be different, check them all.

Within the Key for each SID there is an entry called "ProfileImagePath" that will look like

ProfileImagePath REG_EXPAND_SZ C:\Users\UserName...

Scroll through the SID's until you find the one with the screwy name, like

%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\youruserid.2

This is just an example, could be something else weird.

Just edit the Key to remove the ".2", and it will point the user back to their old profile...

Hi,
apologies for delays in response, I've been traveling.
So, I was in the process of trying this, got as far as downloading ERUNT & backing up registry, HOWEVER when trying to reboot in safe mode, my Laptop crashes/shuts down. I've tried repeatedly.

Any suggestions. By the way, this correspondence is via my tablet.

txs & look forward to hearing.
rgrds, Stapes

Try enabling the hidden Administrator account then logon as Administrator to edit the registry.

See here: Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account on Windows 7, 8, or Vista

Managed to get there, but have no entries in "Profile List" ending with .x or .anything.
Mine all (3) say
%systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile
& 2 other endings
Any further suggestions?

txs & regards, Stapes

One of them should be C:\Users\yourusername

If you don't see that then your account no longer exists.

What folders do you see under C:\Users ???

I have, under key ending 1003, one ending in C:\Users\TEMP and under key ending 1003.bak one ending in C:\Users\werner (that's me). Does that help, and is there anything I can do with that?

Thanks for the efforts, will be around a little more in coming week.

Try renaming the 1003 one to 1003-xxx.
Then rename the 1003.bak to 1003.


Reboot and see what happens.

Eureka, we have a lift-off!!
If you were here and I were so inclined, I'd kiss you. Fortunately, neither is the case:sa:, but thanks a lot.

rgrs, stapes

That's great, Glad it's working.