Windows 7: Did a file cleanup; now Explorer fails to load correctly

Hi,

Yesterday I cleaned up some old folders I no longer use. Now Explorer no longer fully loads, as this 70 second video shows

Windows Explorer not fully loading anymore - YouTube

Explorer gets stuck here:


The left-side menus can NOT be expanded



Thank you for any help!

PS

OS: Windows 7 32 bit
*I deleted music, photo albums, and some old downloads. I may have accidentally deleted something else though.

How or what did you use to clean things with?

Did you create a restore point before you started?

Have you tried a system restore to a point in time before you cleaned your folders?

Chances are you've messed up Windows 7's junction points.

You could try restoring your user folders, as explained in this tutorial.

User Folders - Restore Default Location

If ever you do want extra drive space it's best just to delete the contents of your user folders rather than the folders themselves.

Your library structure is, if you will, a junction point for any folders in the library, regardless of where they are on your computer.

Once you break the links you experience problems such as yours.

I used WinDirStat. I did not create a restore point

Thanks, I'll try to restore my user folders

Hmm, the problem seems to have fixed itself (I didn't make any changes). Strange. I'm not complaining though

Thanks again

Oh well, all's well that ends well.

Thanks for the update.