Windows 7: 'Special' Documents folder shortcut on desktop in Windows 7.

So, I wanted to look into getting the 'special' My Documents (now just called Documents) on my desktop in Windows 7, just as it was in Windows XP. I want to have BOTH the Users folder and the Documents folder on my desktop, not just one or the other. I did some searching through the registry to see if I could accomplish this, and finally came across HKCR\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\, which still has the original My Documents Desktop registry data. I tried to add it to the desktop by going to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\ and I added the key {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} as a sub key in NameSpace.

I also went to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ and set the DWORD value for {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} to 0. However that didn't seem to work, so I repeated the process, only this time, I used the key value {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1104}, which I had created (This new key was not a clone of {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}, but rater a key containing only Context Menu values). And, surprisingly, it worked.



I was thrilled, until I started getting the error 'explorer.exe - unspecified error' whenever I tried clicking on it. This didn't happen before; it used to open to the Documents folder normally, and this was seemingly happening all of a sudden and out of nowhere. I tried re-tweaking the registry, but that did nothing. I even tried changing the key name, but that did nothing. I am not convinced this is impossible, as I have successfully done this with Firefox. Can someone please help? Thanks in advance.

Any reason why you don't just use %userprofile%, and %userprofile%\documents for your shortcuts.

Well, actually I did in the registry. I assume you are talking about creating a normal shortcut. What I've done is I re-created the "My Documents" shortcut on XP in Windows 7. You know, the one without the shortcut arrow? I've attached of a picture that will hopefully clarify what I'm talking about.




Additionally, the command value I used for the CLSID key I created is:
C:\Windows\explorer.exe %USERPROFILE%\Documents

Butters

Why don't you just create a shortcut and remove the arrow if it bothers you - Shortcut Arrow - Change, Remove, or Restore
Must be easier than doing it the long way round

Danny

Because, that will effect all shortcuts. I'm sorry to sound so picky, but I might also mention that this technique I am trying to accomplish also allows for a custom context menu. I am not convinced this is impossible to do, as it was working fine at first, and on my Windows XP machine, I used the same tactic to link to the %UserProfile% folder, and that's still working. My guess is that there is some registry key interfering with my custom value, but I can't be too sure.

Again, sorry to be so picky.

Also, I tried changing the command to another program, and it still didn't work. Could there be anything blocking the {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} key I created from executing? A registry key/value, or a GPO setting, maybe?

Hello Butters
I am actually just looking to copy a shortcut to the desktop for the my documents folder, which is redirected with a GPO and do it with a script
But in my travels I came across this which is exactly what you are looking for
Vista and Windows 7 Personal Folder Link / Folder

Well try this. Right click on desktop/new/new folder/properties/customize/change icons. Then pick one, there are a bunch of them. You can also name the new folder anything you want to.

Sleep does wonders, code was not working because the GPO was failing, because the network identification was failing.
Anyone know how to force the network ID, I am seeing this more and more in the field
Here is the code
mklink /D "C:\users\%username%\Desktop\Documents" "%HomeDrive%"

RNR1995, thanks so much for the reply. I created the batch file from the forum you linked me to, but for some reason, my Windows 7 doesn't want to display {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} on the desktop. I even tried backing up the registry and completely re-creating the key myself, but that didn't work. I also double-checked the NameSpace key to be sure it was there, and the value in HideDesktopIcons was set to 0, and still nothing. Could there be anything keeping it from being displayed on the desktop?

Also, I would prefer to keep the Documents directory in %UserProfile%\Documents.

I did not try that one because of messing with the windows shell, not a fan of that, M$ disabled it for a reason??
But there are alternatives
you can make a link, which did not do well on a workgroup
but worked fine on a domain with redirected my docs folders

mklink /D "C:\users\%username%\Desktop\Documents" "%HomeDrive%"
ping -n 6 127.0.0.1>nul
rename "C:\users\%username%\Desktop\Documents" "%username%"

Or copy the icon

"C:\users\%username%\Desktop\Shortcut.exe" /F:"C:\users\%username%\Desktop\Documents.lnk" /A:C /T:"C:\users\%username%\Documents"
"C:\users\%username%\Desktop\Shortcut.exe" /F:"C:\users\%username%\Desktop\Downloads.lnk" /A:C /T:"C:\users\%username%\Downloads"

Which is really what I wanted, you will need this program called shortcuts.exe from OptimumX
Optimum X Downloads - Freeware Utilities