Windows 7: My Documents always open on Desktop when users log

My Documents is always open on the Desktop when users log on.
This just started a few days ago. It is coincident with some issues we had with FSecure not running properly that was discovered to be caused by a missing Base Filter Engine. That was repaired,I now have a new antivirus package(bitdefender) on tryout. I have looked in msconfig and cannot see anything there. I have looked in All Programs/Startup as well.

Hello and welcome to the forums alastair56!

(Taken from the answers.microsoft.com website)

It happens if there is a registry change in the Userinit value.

Follow the instructions below which will help you in resolving the issue.


1. Start > Run > Regedit > Ok.

2. Now navigate to the following key:-
HKEY_ LOCAL_ MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

3. Look down the list in the Right Hand pane, scroll down to the value Userinit This value should read: C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe, (The comma at the end must also be there)

4. If the value is different from that mentioned above then Right Click on the Userinit value and, from the drop down menu, select Modify. Type in the value C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe, in the Modify dialogue box click OK.

5. Exit the Registry.

6. Restart your computer.

Click on the links below for more information.

The "My Documents" folder automatically opens every time that you log on to a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

My Documents open at startup

Please post back and let us know if this has helped to resolve your issue.

Hope that helps.. it applies to windows vista and 7 systems too

Hi Solarmystic;
Thanks for the help. I checked out the registry as you suggested. HKEY_ LOCAL_ MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Win*dows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon on my system I could not find this key except without the *, likewise for the value for Userinit, there was no * in that . Apart from the asterisk everything else was as you stated it should be, is the lack of the asterisk an issue?

Good catch!

That's absolutely correct, the asterisks are not supposed to be there, I'm sorry for the confusion... I'll edit my instructions so that the next person with the same problem won't get confused too..

Everything else is correct though, including the comma placements (,) and so on..

Thanks for replying!

No problem, the help is appreciated.
I followed up with the first link you provided and entered and began to edit the registry as instructed. I modified the value data for userinit as spec'd without the comma.
then went to look for persistbrowser in hkeycurrent user... no persistbrowser. now what?

eg. " Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
In the right pane, right-click PersistBrowsers, and then click Modify.
In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 0 under Value data, and then click OK.
Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

of course... now other issues have arisen Having restarted the computer; when I log in to a user the log on takes much longer than normal and results in a black screen but a usable cursor.; I brought up task manager ,have tried system restore twice but no joy. System restore informed me as part of process that "Programs that may be affected by system restore" would be ATI catalyst driver blah blah
Ironically or suspiciously as it may be, I had just set that previously deferred installation update to install this morning whilst I was in the process of carrying out instructions you provided. any thoughts? should this be a new thread?

Oh dear me.

You were supposed to leave the comma at the end in that userinit value.



As for the second bit, if there isn't a PersistBrowsers entry you can create it by right clicking on the Advanced folder --->New ---->DWORD (32 bit value) ----> type in PersistBrowsers for the new key----> Double click on the entry and make sure the Value = 0



But now since your system may be borked due to the userinit , try that System Restore instead.. just make sure it's a restore point that's set before you made the changes and before that update was installed..

Don't worry about the ATI Catalyst Driver thingy, just make a note of the drivers it claims will be affected (write a list down somewhere), and we can re-update it back later...

I did try the system restore . It didnt fix it.The most recent point prior to my registry twiddling was last night. Before that back in 2011(I have a small drive and dispensed with a number of restore points at one stage in my quest for leaning up my small SS C drive.) I tried System restore twice and no luck.
,noticed that explorer.exe wasnt running when looking at Task manager, so I ran it from Task Manager and that brought back a functional desktop for this user. No other user can log on however, it begins to log on, seemingly logs on and then logs you off again. When I log back on to this user i must use taskmanager to start up explorer.
I went and added the comma to userinit. But to no avail.
I will try system restore from the same point,last night, for a third time(lucky?),if that doesnt do it, then next option if System restore is best way, is to use system restore point from 2011. I will get back and let u know how it goes.

Before we continue, can you please add you system specs to your My system specs area by following the tutorial below?

System Info - See Your System Specs

Also if you don't mind could you also perform the following steps?

1. Download and Save to desktop from this link:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

2. Once saved, run the tool. Click on the Continue button, which will produce the report.

3. Click on the Copy button in the tool (ignore any error messages), and then paste into your next reply.

Thanks in advance!

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-GK4PY-FDWYH-7TP9F
Windows Product Key Hash: u3xU6PnmumgYLgUpnmbqEw9Q2OA=
Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-8992671-00004
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {CAD4BD85-1CCE-4E97-8951-52D8086429BB}(3)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A
Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGA Data-->
Office Status: 109 N/A
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Users\Alastair\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
File Scan Data-->
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{CAD4BD85-1CCE-4E97-8951-52D8086429BB}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-7TP9F</PKey><PID>00371-OEM-8992671-00004</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-3019097636-1332029945-1847314219</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>To Be Filled By O.E.M.</Manufacturer><Model>To Be Filled By O.E.M.</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>L1.33B</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="6"/><Date>20110622000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>A4B03607018400FA</HWID><UserLCID>1009</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Pacific Standard Time(GMT-08:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>ACRSYS</OEMID><OEMTableID>ACRPRDCT</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514
Name: Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: 50e329f7-a5fa-46b2-85fd-f224e5da7764
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00371-00178-926-700004-02-4105-7601.0000-2732011
Installation ID: 016676977783477074859791845974729262591084928150662240
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: 7TP9F
License Status: Licensed
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 08/07/2012 12:49:31 AM
Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x00000000
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 6:29:2012 23:06
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:

HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: NgAAAAEABAABAAIAAAADAAAAAQABAAEAln0mUZgOwAgaSFTyEDMKrcT1jqJiPaoO7V/KY44u
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20001
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC ALASKA A M I
FACP ALASKA A M I
HPET ALASKA A M I
MCFG ALASKA A M I
AAFT ALASKA OEMAAFT
MCFG ALASKA A M I
SSDT AMD POWERNOW
SLIC ACRSYS ACRPRDCT

I posted my specs as well