Personal User Folder - Restore Missing Folder

How to Restore a Missing or Default Location of User Folders in Vista​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to restore a personal user folder if it has been deleted, in the wrong location, or is missing from your C:\Users\(user name) or Start menu location.

   Tip

If you have duplicate user folders instead, then you will need to backup the contents of the duplicate user folders, do OPTION TWO below, delete the duplicate folders, then you may need to restart the computer a couple of times first before the default location is restored.

EXAMPLE: Personal User Profile Folders

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EXAMPLE: Personal User Profile Folders Start menu Location

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OPTION ONE

Restore User Folders Using Folder Properties

NOTE: This can help restore the default location of a user folder. If it does not help, then use OPTION TWO below.

1. Right click on the user folder that you want to restore the default location for and click on Properties.​

NOTE: Do this from the C:\Users\(user name) location for the best results and not from the Start menu user folders.​

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2. Click on the Location tab. (See screenshot below step 3)​

NOTE: If you do not have a Location tab, then this is not the correct user folder and is only a normal folder that has the same name as the user folder. You will most likely need to use OPTION TWO below in this case instead.​

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3. Click on the Restore Default button and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

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4. If you get this, then click on Yes. (See screenshot below)​

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5. Click on Yes. (See screenshot below)​

WARNING: If you do not click on Yes, you will have two copies of the personal user folder in the main (user name) folder with one being as described in the NOTE under step 2.​

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OPTION TWO

Manually Restore User Folders with Reg File Download & Registry Editor

   Note

This is a more thorough method of restoring a user folder's default location, or restore missing user folders.

The reg files in the downloads below will restore the default values at this registry location below.

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

   Warning

If you have any duplicate user folders, or user folders that do not have a Location properties tab (Option One), then you will need to:

• Backup only the folder's contents to another location to be safe.
• Now proceed with the steps below

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1. Open your C:\Users\(user-name) folder. If the user folder is missing, then create a New Folder and rename it with the name below for that user folder.​

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-300][TR][TD]
User Folder
[/TD]
[TD]
Rename with
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Contacts
[/TD]
[TD]
Contacts
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Desktop
[/TD]
[TD]
Desktop
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Documents
[/TD]
[TD]
Documents
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Downloads
[/TD]
[TD]
Downloads
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Favorites
[/TD]
[TD]
Favorites
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Links
[/TD]
[TD]
Links
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Music
[/TD]
[TD]
Music
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Pictures
[/TD]
[TD]
Pictures
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Saved Games
[/TD]
[TD]
Saved Games
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Searches
[/TD]
[TD]
Searches
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Videos
[/TD]
[TD]
Videos
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

2. To Restore Default Contacts Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Default_Contacts_Location.reg​

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3. To Restore Default Desktop Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Desktop_Default_Location.reg​

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4. To Restore Default Documents Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Documents_Default_Location.reg​

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5. To Restore Default Downloads Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Downloads_Default_Location.reg​

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6. To Restore Default Favorites Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Favorites_Default_Location.reg​

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7. To Restore Default Links Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Default_Links_Location.reg​

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8. To Restore Default Music Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Music_Default_Location.reg​

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9. To Restore Default Pictures Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

Restore_Pictures_Default_Location.reg​

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10. To Restore Default Saved Games Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Default_Saved_Games_Location.reg​

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11. To Restore Default Searches Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Default_Searches_Location.reg​

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12. To Restore Default Videos Folder Location​

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A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​

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Restore_Videos_Default_Location.reg​

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13. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.​

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14. Right click on the downloaded .reg file, and click on Merge.​

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15. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.​

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16. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press enter.​

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17. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (administrator) or enter administrator's password (if standard user).​

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18. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

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19. In the right pane of Shell Folders, right click on the user folder in the Name column in the registry (see table below) that you want to restore, then click on Modify. (see screenshot above)​

NOTE: If the Name entry in the table below is not there, then right click on a empty space in the right pane, click on New and String Value, and give it the name in bold below for that user folder.​

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-600][TR][TD]
User Folder
[/TD]
[TD]
Name in Registry
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Contacts
[/TD]
[TD]
{56784854-C6CB-462B-8169-88E350ACB882}
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Desktop
[/TD]
[TD]
Desktop
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Documents
[/TD]
[TD]
Personal
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Downloads
[/TD]
[TD]
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Favorites
[/TD]
[TD]
Favorites
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Links
[/TD]
[TD]
{BFB9D5E0-C6A9-404C-B2B2-AE6DB6AF4968}
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Music
[/TD]
[TD]
My Music
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Pictures
[/TD]
[TD]
My Pictures
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Saved Games
[/TD]
[TD]
{4C5C32FF-BB9D-43B0-B5B4-2D72E54EAAA4}
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Searches
[/TD]
[TD]
{7D1D3A04-DEBB-4115-95CF-2F29DA2920DA}
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Videos
[/TD]
[TD]
My Videos
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

20. Type in the full default path (see table below) of the user folder, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: Substitute User-Name in the full path with your user account name instead.​

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-600][TR][TD]
User Folder
[/TD]
[TD]
Default Path
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Contacts
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Contacts
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Desktop
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Desktop
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Documents
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Documents
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Downloads
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Downloads
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Favorites
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Favorites
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Links
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Links
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Music
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Music
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Pictures
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Pictures
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Saved Games
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Saved Games
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Searches
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Searches
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Videos
[/TD]
[TD]
C:\Users\User-Name\Videos
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

21. Close Regedit.​

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22. Open an elevated command prompt.​

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23. In the elevated command prompt, Copy and Paste the command below for the user folder icon that you want to restore to default. (see table below)​

NOTE: This will set the user folder attributes back to default. You can Copy and Paste these to make it easier for you. ​

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-600][TR][TD]
User Folder
[/TD]
[TD]
Command
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Contacts
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Contacts /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Desktop
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Desktop /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Documents
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Documents /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Downloads
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Downloads /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Favorites
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Favorites /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Links
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Links /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Music
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Music /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Pictures
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Pictures /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Saved Games
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\"Saved Games" /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Searches
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Searches /S /D
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Videos
[/TD]
[TD]
attrib +r -s -h %USERPROFILE%\Videos /S /D
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

24. Close the elevated command prompt.​

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25. Open the Start Menu, then Copy and Paste the Shell command (see table below) in the search box for the User folder that you want to restore, and press Enter.​

NOTE: If this opens the missing personal user folder(s), then you are done and can skip step 26 and go to step 27 instead.​

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-400][TR][TD]
User Folder
[/TD]
[TD]
Shell Command
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Contacts
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:Contacts
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Desktop
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:desktop
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Documents
[/TD]
[TD]
shellersonal
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Downloads
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:downloads
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Favorites
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:Favorites
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Links
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:Links
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Music
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:My Music
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Pictures
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:My Pictures
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Saved Games
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:SavedGames
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Searches
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:Searches
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Videos
[/TD]
[TD]
shell:My Video
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

26. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to finish restoring the user folder location.​

NOTE: Sometimes you may need to restart more than once for the changes to be applied.​

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27. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file(s) if you like.​

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28. If you have any duplicate user folders left, or user folders that do not have a Location properties tab (Option One), then you will need to:​

• Delete all duplicate user folders without the correct default C:\Users\(user-name)\(user-folder) path (see step 20) and user folders without a Location properties tab.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Fix a Personal User Shell Folder Displayed as a Standard Yellow Folder Icon in Vista
• How to Change a Personal User Folder Location in Vista
• How to Prevent or Allow User Profile Folders Location Change in Vista
• How to Change the Default Location of a User Profile in Windows 7 and Vista

 

[rsibs17]

Thanks Shawn. I will give it a shot later tonight when I get home. What do the reg files do? I didn't know if I could just go in the change the path in the registry without downloading and running the reg files first. Or do the reg files just change the path for you?

Ryan

 

[Brink]

Ryan,

Yeah, the REG files make the change for you at that registry location in the NOTE box right under the OPTION TWO title. You could manually change it if you like, or use the REG files for it though.

You would still have to manually change the path at step 19 since it's a different registry location.

 

[rsibs17]

Worked great. Thanks Shawn.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Ryan.

 

[OmarM]

Can this work in Windows 7 x64 as well?
I am not able to find it in the windows 7 forums.

 

[Brink]

Hello Omar, and welcome to Vista Forums.

For Windows 7, I would recommend to use the tutorial below from our sister site Seven Forums instead.

User Folders - Restore Default Location - Windows 7 Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[julianw138]

Thank you Shawn.

I got in a terrible mess trying to move my pictures folder to my external hard drive - had it pointed to the drive not the Pictures directory beneath.

Thanks to your clear instructions, I am now unpickled.

 

[Brink]

That's great news Julian, and welcome to Vista Forums. :-)