How Do I Disable Folder Aliases in Windows Explorer?

TC0 · 27 Mar 2012

I'm using Windows Explorer to look at the folder C:\Users\TC. I know there is a subfolder called "Documents". However, Windows Explorer doesn't show a folder called "Documents". Instead, it shows a folder called "My Documents". In this instance and a few others, Explorer seems to be showing me an alias instead of the real folder name. I would prefer to always see the real folder name. How can I disable or workaround the alias feature?

-TC

Neutron16 · 29 Mar 2012

Open hidden and system file desktop.ini inside that folder and put ; in front of LocalizedResourceName line:

Code:

;LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21770

Save that desktop.ini file.

Fred Garvin · 30 Mar 2012

You most likely have Windows set to *Show hidden and system files", which is why you see My Documents. The *My Documents* reference is called a Junction Point and meant for Windows 7 use and compatibilty with older software. My advice is to leave them alone. Documents is the name of the folder where your files are stored.

Neutron16 · 31 Mar 2012

Dear Fred Garvin,

Thank you for trying, but I am afraid that hidden files and moreover junction point have nothing to do with the issue.

Hidden files option make explorer show or hide folders with hidden attribute.
Junction point is symbolic link, which does not really exist (ex. C:\Documents and Settings in Windows 7), but leads to an real folder (C:\Users in Windows 7).

Microsoft introduced LocalizedResourceName for totally different reasons.
In non-English Windows versions previous to Vista, personal system folders were translated into local languages: My Documents, My Music, Desktop, etc. That created problems - some software simply would not install/start on Windows where Desktop or My Documents were named in local non-latin characters.

So, to avoid that Microsoft introduced those localized resource nicknames. So, now Desktop Folder would always be Desktop (My Documents - Documents), despite language of Windows. And that would be just user who sees it under different localized nicknames in Explorer.

Fred Garvin · 31 Mar 2012

That's my mistake, I misunderstood TCOs issue. I thought it was the junction points he was looking at and wanting to get rid of. I understand now.

TC0 · 15 Apr 2012

Thanks for the help. I found that deleting desktop.ini also does the trick.
-TC