My "Downloads" folder is now the Recycle Bin!

Hello internet! I'm new here, so go easy on me!

I have a rather odd problem. Preliminary searches do not shed any light on the matter, so I have come to you for help.

I physically cannot access my Downloads folder at C:\Users\Josh\Downloads, (hello my name is Josh :) )by using the link in the start menu, the link in my user folder, or by directly typing in the path. Whenever I do, I get pointed towards the recycle bin. This is unlike anything I have encountered before. See images:





Help me!

Many thanks
Josh

Thanks for the suggestion, Shawn, but unfortunately no cookie! Now my Start Menu "Downloads" option has changed to "Recycle Bin", and the icon is now a grainy version of the recycle bin! Kinda odd, don't you think?

I apologise, I have not correctly implemented the fix, hold on a moment...

Hmm, the command prompt will not complete the process... it has been going on perhaps 5 minutes now. I have stopped it, and looked in my user folder. No Downloads folder, but the Recycle Bin is displayed as a real, unhidden folder, and I the hidden version on the C:\ drive is missing.

I am going to try and search for the filename of a file that I know I downloaded to the Downloads folder before the problems started occurring and see where it is. I know the data is still there because my Downloads folder was massive, and there is no drop in the used space on my drive. I'll post the results shortly.

No Shawn, I am afraid option 2 has done nothing to alleviate my woes :)

If all else fails, I will edit the registry key (creating a restore point first ) to change the location of the shell Downloads folder if nobody else has any ideas. However if you have more ideas, keep 'em coming!

Cheers
Josh