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UserFoldersRestoreDefaultLocationWindows7HelpForums
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Windows7:UserFoldersRestoreDefaultLocation
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UserFoldersRestoreDefaultLocation
HowtoRestoretheDefaultLocationofUserFoldersinWindows7andWindows8
PublishedbyBrink
28Jul2009

HowtoRestoretheDefaultLocationofUserFoldersin
Windows7andWindows8

Publishedby

Information
This will show you how to restore the default location of all or a single user folder of your choice in
Windows7andWindows8.

Brink

Note
Ifyouhaveduplicateuserfoldersinstead,thenyouwillneedtobackupthecontentsoftheduplicateuser
folders, do OPTION TWO below, delete the duplicate folders, then you may need to restart the computer a
coupleoftimesfirstbeforethedefaultlocationisrestored.
TheWindows8.1UpdatetobereleasedonApril8th2014viaWindowsUpdate,renamesSkyDriveto
OneDrivenow.

EXAMPLE:Userfolders
NOTE:ThisisatthedefaultC:\Users\(username)location.

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OPTIONONE
RestoreUserFoldersusingit'sFolderProperties
NOTE:Ifusingthisoptiondoesnotrestoretheuserfolderbacktothedefaultlocation,thenuseOPTIONTWObelowinstead.

1. Ifyouareinahomegroup, then you will need to change the homegroup settings to no longer share the user folder
(ex:MyMusic)thatyouwanttomovefirstbyuncheckingthefolderandclickingonSaveChanges.(seescreenshotbelow)
NOTE:Thisissotheuserfolder(ex:MyMusic)willnotbesharedonthehomegroupanymore.

2.PresstheWindows+RkeystoopentheRundialog,typeshell:UsersFilesFolder,andpressenter.
NOTE:ThiswillopenyourC:\Users\(username)folder.

3. Right click or press and hold on the user folder (ex: My Music) that you want to restore the default location for, and
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click/taponProperties.

4.Click/tapontheLocationtab,andRestoreDefaultbutton.(Seescreenshotbelow)

5.Click/taponOK.(Seescreenshotbelow)
NOTE:NoticethatthelocationhaschangedtothedefaultC:\Users\(username)location.

6.Click/taponYes.(Seescreenshotbelow)

Note
If you have a folder in the default location named for the user folder already, then you will not see this
dialogbox.

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Windows8willnothavethe"My"infrontoftheuserfoldernameanymore.

UserFolder

FolderName

Contacts

Contacts

Desktop

Desktop

MyDocuments

Documents

Downloads

Downloads

Favorites

Favorites

Links

Links

MyMusic

Music

MyPictures

Pictures

OneDrive(Windows8.1Update) OneDrive
SavedGames

SavedGames

Searches

Searches

SkyDrive(Windows8.1)

SkyDrive

MyVideos

Videos

7.Click/taponYes.(Seescreenshotbelow)
WARNING:Ifyoudonotclick/taponYes,thenyouwillhavetwocopiesofthisuserfolderattheC:\Users\(username)
location. One will be a normal folder (same name) with the contents and the other as the now restored user folder. It is
recommendedthatyouclick/taponYES.

8.Afterafewsecondswhenthelocationhasbeenrestored,thePropertieswindow(screenshotunderstep5)willthenclose.
9. Ifyouareinahomegroup,thenyoucannowchange the homegroup settings back to share the user folder (ex: My
Music)againifyoulikebycheckingthefolderandclickingonSaveChanges.(seescreenshotbelow)

OPTIONTWO
ManuallyRestoreUserFoldersusingaRegFileDownload&RegistryEditor
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Note
Thisisamorethoroughmethodofrestoringauserfolder'sdefaultlocation,orrestoremissinguserfolders.
TheregfilesintheZIPdownloadsbelowwillautomaticallyrestorethedefaultvaluesattheregistrylocation
belowforyou.
Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\UserShellFolders

Warning
Ifyouhaveanyduplicateuserfolders,oruserfoldersthatdonothaveaLocationpropertiestab(Option
One),thenyouwillneedto:
Backuponlythefolder'scontentstoanotherlocationtobesafe.
Nowproceedwiththestepsbelow

1. Open your C:\Users\(username) folder. If theuser folder is missing, then create a New Folder and rename it
withthenamebelowfortheuserfoldertofix.
Forexample:IwouldcreateanewfoldernamedDocumentsifIneededtorestoremyMyDocumentsfolder.
NOTE:Windows8willnothavethe"My"infrontoftheuserfoldernameanymore.

UserFoldertofix

RenameNewFolderwith

Contacts

Contacts

Desktop

Desktop

MyDocuments

Documents

Downloads

Downloads

Favorites

Favorites

Links

Links

MyMusic

Music

MyPictures

Pictures

OneDrive(Windows8.1Update)

OneDrive

SavedGames

SavedGames

Screenshots(InPicturesfolderinWindows8/8.1) Screenshots
Searches

Searches

SkyDrive(Windows8.1)

SkyDrive

MyVideos

Videos

2.ToRestoretheDefaultContactsFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Default_Contacts_Location.reg

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3.ToRestoretheDefaultDesktopFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Desktop_Default_Location.reg

4.ToRestoretheDefaultMyDocumentsFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Documents_Default_Location.reg

5.ToRestoretheDefaultDownloadsFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Downloads_Default_Location.reg

6.ToRestoretheDefaultFavoritesFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Favorites_Default_Location.reg

7.ToRestoretheDefaultLinksFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Default_Links_Location.reg

8.ToRestoretheDefaultMyMusicFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Music_Default_Location.reg

9.ToRestoretheDefaultMyPicturesFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Pictures_Default_Location.reg

10.ToRestoreDefaultOneDriveFolderLocationinWindows8.1Update
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Default_OneDrive_Location.reg

11.ToRestoretheDefaultSavedGamesFolderLocation

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A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Default_Saved_Games_Location.reg

12.ToRestoretheDefaultScreenshotsFolderLocationinWindows8/8.1
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Default_Screenshots_Location.reg

13.ToRestoretheDefaultSearchesFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Default_Searches_Location.reg

14.ToRestoretheDefaultSkyDriveFolderLocationinWindows8.1
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Default_SkyDrive_Location.reg

15.ToRestoretheDefaultMyVideosFolderLocation
A)Click/taponthedownloadbuttonbelowtodownloadthefilebelow.
Restore_Videos_Default_Location.reg

16.Savethe.regfiletoyourDesktop.
17.Doubleclick/taponthedownloaded.regfiletomergeit.
18.Ifprompted,click/taponRun,Yes(UAC),Yes,andOKtoapprovethemerge.
19.PresstheWindows+RkeystoopentheRundialog,typeregedit,andpressEnter.
20.IfpromptedbyUAC,thenclick/taponYes(administrator)orenteradministrator'spassword(ifstandarduser).
21.Inregedit,navigatetothelocationbelow.(seescreenshotbelow)
NOTE:IfthisisforyourScreenshotsfolderinWindows8,thengotostep25instead.
Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellFolders

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22. In the right pane of Shell Folders, double click/tap on the user folder in the Name column (seetablebelow) that you
wanttorestorethedefaultlocationoftomodifyit.(seescreenshotabove)
NOTE:If the Name entry in the table below is not there, then right click or press and hold on a empty space in the right
pane,click/taponNewandStringValue,andgiveitthenameinboldbelowforthatuserfolder.
Windows8willnothavethe"My"infrontoftheuserfoldernameanymore.

UserFolder

NameinRegistry

Contacts

{56784854C6CB462B816988E350ACB882}

Desktop

Desktop

MyDocuments

Personal

Downloads

{374DE290123F4565916439C4925E467B}

Favorites

Favorites

Links

{BFB9D5E0C6A9404CB2B2AE6DB6AF4968}

MyMusic

MyMusic

MyPictures

MyPictures

OneDrive(Windows8.1Update)

{A52BBA46E9E1435FB3D928DAA648C0F6}

SavedGames

{4C5C32FFBB9D43B0B5B42D72E54EAAA4}

Searches

{7D1D3A04DEBB411595CF2F29DA2920DA}

SkyDrive(Windows8.1)

{A52BBA46E9E1435FB3D928DAA648C0F6}

MyVideos

MyVideo

23.Typeinthefulldefaultpath(seetablebelow)oftheuserfolder,andclick/taponOK.(seescreenshotbelow)
NOTE:SubstituteUserNameinthefullpathwithyouruseraccountnameinstead.

Windows8willnothavethe"My"infrontoftheuserfoldernameanymore.

UserFolder

DefaultPath

Contacts

C:\Users\UserName\Contacts

Desktop

C:\Users\UserName\Desktop

MyDocuments

C:\Users\UserName\Documents

Downloads

C:\Users\UserName\Downloads

Favorites

C:\Users\UserName\Favorites

Links

C:\Users\UserName\Links

MyMusic

C:\Users\UserName\Music

MyPictures

C:\Users\UserName\Pictures

OneDrive(Windows8.1Update)

C:\Users\UserName\OneDrive

SavedGames

C:\Users\UserName\SavedGames

SkyDrive(Windows8.1)

C:\Users\UserName\SkyDrive

Searches

C:\Users\UserName\Searches

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MyVideos

C:\Users\UserName\Videos

24.CloseRegedit.
25.Openanelevatedcommandprompt(Rightclick>Runasadministrator).
26.Intheelevatedcommandprompt,CopyandPastethecommandbelowexactlyasisfortheuserfoldericonthatyou
wanttorestoretodefault,andpressEnter.(seetablebelow)
NOTE:Thiswillsettheuserfolderattributesbacktodefault.YoucanCopyandPastethesetomakeiteasierforyou.
Windows8willnothavethe"My"infrontoftheuserfoldernameanymore.

UserFolder

Command

Contacts

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Contacts"/S/D

Desktop

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Desktop"/S/D

MyDocuments

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Documents"/S/D

Downloads

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Downloads"/S/D

Favorites

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Favorites"/S/D

Links

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Links"/S/D

MyMusic

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Music"/S/D

MyPictures

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Pictures"/S/D

OneDrive(Windows8.1Update)

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive"/S/D

SavedGames

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\SavedGames"/S/D

Screenshots(Windows8/8.1)

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Pictures\Screenshots"/S/D

Searches

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Searches"/S/D

SkyDrive(Windows8.1)

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\SkyDrive"/S/D

MyVideos

attrib+rsh"%USERPROFILE%\Videos"/S/D

27.Closetheelevatedcommandprompt.
28.Logoffandlogon,orrestartthecomputertofinishrestoringtheuserfolderlocation.
NOTE:Sometimesyoumayneedtorestartmorethanonceforthechangestobeapplied.

29.Whenfinished,youcandeletethedownloaded.regfileifyoulike.
30.Ifyouhaveanyduplicate user folders left,oruserfoldersthatdonothaveaLocationpropertiestab(OptionOne),
thenyouwillneedto:
Delete all duplicate user folders without the correct default C:\Users\(username)\(userfolder) path and user
folderswithoutaLocationpropertiestab.
That'sit,
Shawn

RelatedTutorials

HowtoChangetheDefaultLocationofUserFoldersinWindows7andWindows8
HowtoCustomizeDefaultUserProfileinAuditMode
HowtoChangetheDefault"Screenshots"FolderLocationinWindows8
HowtoChangetheWindows7DefaultUserFolderIcons
HowtoPinYourUserFilesFoldertotheWindows7Taskbar
HowtoCreateYourOwnSpecialUserFolder
HowtoRestoreWindows7DefaultUserFolderIcons
HowtoAddorRemoveyourUserFolderfromtheWindows7NavigationPane
HowtoRestoretheWindows7PublicFolders
HowtoAlloworPreventUserstoMovetheirUserFolderstoaNewLocation
HowtoChangetheDefaultLocationofaUserProfileinWindows7andVista
HowtoCreateUserAccountsonanotherPartitionorDiskDuringWindows7Installation
HowtoChangetheNameof"MyDocuments"withoutRenamingtheFolder
HowtoChangetheUserFolderNameofaUserProfileinWindows7

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Recover/RepairDataFiles
WeRecover100%datafromLost&Corruptedfiles.Free
consultation

11Oct2009

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18583userfoldersrestoredefaultlocation.html

#1

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UserFoldersRestoreDefaultLocationWindows7HelpForums

crasher23
Windows7
3posts

MySystemSpecs

Hi,Iwasdoingthisprocedureandmistakenlyclick"yes"aswarnedinstep6,nowIhavetodesktopfolders,andI
can'teliminatetheduplicate.Canyoupleasegivemealinktothepostwerethisisbeingsolved?,Itriedtroughthe
searchbutIcouldn'tfindanysolution.
P.D.InowthisisahowtobutIdon'twannaopenanewpostunlessisnecessary.Thanksalot

Tip:DownloadWindowsRepairTool

11Oct2009

#2

Brink

HelloCrasher,
TheduplicateDesktopfolder,withoutthedefaulticonandjustayellowfolder,shouldjustbeanormalfolder
withouttheLocationtabinit'spropertiespage.CopyallofthecontentsofthisfolderintothetrueDesktopfolder,
withthedefaulticon,thenseeifyoucandeleteit.

64bitWindows8.1
Enterprise
58,518posts
Oklahoma

Ifnot,thendoOPTIONTWOinthetutorial,restartthecomputer,andseeifyoucandeletetheduplicateDesktop
(withoutdefaulticon)afterwards.

MySystemSpecs
07Feb2010

#3

doctorJ
Windows7
3posts

Triedthisandstillno"mypictures"

Iattemptedthissolutionseveraltimesandhaverebootedanumberoftimes,butstill"MyPictures"doesn'tshow
upundermyUserdirectory.Iusedmethod2,theregistryfixandshellcommand.Iusedregedittolookatthe
valueanditseemsright.Ihavecheckedownershipof"pictures"andIownthefolder.
ButnothingIdoseemstomakethe"MyPictures"showupwhereitcanactuallybeused.
Ihaveattachedascreenshot.Anyandallsuggestionswelcome.

AttachedThumbnails

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MySystemSpecs

07Feb2010

#4

Brink

HelloDoctorJ,andwelcometoSevenForums.
Sometimesitmaytakeabitforittoreturn.WhenyoutypeintheShellcommandforit,wheredoesitopento?

64bitWindows8.1
Enterprise
58,518posts
Oklahoma

MySystemSpecs
07Feb2010

#5

doctorJ

Quote:OriginallyPostedbyBrink

Windows7
3posts

HelloDoctorJ,andwelcometoSevenForums.
Sometimesitmaytakeabitforittoreturn.WhenyoutypeintheShellcommandforit,wheredoesitopen
to?

Itopensthecorrectlocation,MyPictures.Ijustcan'tseeitinmyuserdirectory(norcanprograms).
Ihavebeentryingotherthings,Ichangedtofoldersettingtodisplayhiddenfiles.Itturnsout"MyPictures"isa
hiddenfolder.WhenIclickonpropertiesforthatfolder,the"hidden"propertyischecked,butgreyedoutsoIcan
notalterit.
Anysuggestionsonhowtounhidethefolder.IthinkIwillbegoodifIcanrestorethedirectorytobenothidden.
MySystemSpecs
07Feb2010

#6

Brink

DoctorJ,
Openaelevatedcommandprompt,thentypethecommandbelowandpressentertoseeifthatmayhelpbring
itoutofhidingforyou.

64bitWindows8.1
Enterprise
58,518posts

attrib+rsh%USERPROFILE%\Pictures/S/D

Oklahoma

MySystemSpecs
07Feb2010

#7

doctorJ

Quote:OriginallyPostedbyBrink

Windows7
3posts

DoctorJ,
Openaelevatedcommandprompt,thentypethecommandbelowandpressentertoseeifthatmay
helpbringitoutofhidingforyou.
attrib+rsh%USERPROFILE%\Pictures/S/D
Thatworked!Forsomereasonittookacoupleofattempts(ormaybetheeffectjustwasnotimmediate).But
eventuallyitworked.DoIneedtoresetthatfoldertobeasystemfolder?(thatswhatthesdoes,right?makeit
notsystem).
Thankyouverymuchforyouhelp.AllthiswasafixtoapreviousbotchedattempttomoveMyPicturestoa
differentdrive.Iwillbemorecarefulthistime.

MySystemSpecs
07Feb2010

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#8

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Brink

You'remostwelcomeDoctorJ.
Noneedtoresetit.Thatisthedefaultattributesettingforthatuserfolder.

64bitWindows8.1
Enterprise
58,518posts
Oklahoma

MySystemSpecs
21Mar2010

#9

TheTalker
Windows7Ultimate
x64
146posts

Iwanttosaythankyouverymuch!I'vehadthisproblemformonthsnowIwasafraidofchangingtheregistry.
Well,IfinallydiditandatfirstIthoughtImessedsomethingupbutafterrestartingeverythingisbacktonormal.

Thankyousomuch!

MySystemSpecs
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