Windows 7: User Folders - Restore Default Location

**149** · 28 Jul 2009

How to Restore the Default Location of User Folders in Windows 7 and Windows 8

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Click here to read the entire tutorial

Last edited by Brink; 11 Apr 2013 at 12:02 PM..

**150** · 28 Jul 2012

Many thanks!

**151** · 28 Jul 2012

You're most welcome Lambda, and welcome to Seven Forums.

**152** · 14 Sep 2012

I just picked up Windows 7, and I initially tried to move “downloads” and “my documents” to another partition. Well, needless to say, I didn’t really pay attention or understand what was going on, and now in my user folder (by user folder I don’t mean C:/Users/Bryan but the Bryan folder you can access via the start menu) I have 2 download folders and 0 my documents folders. If I check C:/Users/Bryan there’s only one download folder.
Now, if I try to delete one of the download folders from Bryan they both go away, in addition to the copy that is on my other partition (G:/Downloads).
I assume I need to do option two, but before I start, let me clarify a few things. Should I delete all the download folders before I start option two or leave them, do option two, and then delete them afterward? Please clarify!

I know this isn’t a huge deal but I like things a certain way and Windows 7 is turning out to be a very strange/buggy OS. I understand the library thing, but why is C:/Users/Bryan different from the Bryan folder? Very strange indeed!
Thanks in advance!

**153** · 14 Sep 2012

Hello Propama, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I would first backup anything that you do not want to lose in those folders, delete them, and then see if using OPTION TWO on the affected user folders may be able to help.

**154** · 11 Nov 2012

Hi,
Perhaps in the wrong Forum, but anyway will option 2 work with Windows 8? I've put My Documents into drive F: and now the Properties/ Location Tab has gone, so cannot move back to C:\Users............

Thanks
Roger

**155** · 11 Nov 2012

Hello Roger, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, this tutorial will work in Windows 8 as well.

If you are just wanting to save HDD space, then you might consider this below to be able to access the files from your libraries with the files actually located where you like instead. This way you will not have to worry about any potential issues that come with moving user folder locations.

Create a new folder at any location you want.
Move any files you want into the new folder.
Include the new folder into a library of your choice.
If you like, you can also set the new folder to be the default "save" to location for the library as well.

Hope this helps,

Shawn

**156** · 11 Nov 2012

Thanks for the informative answer Shawn.

I will use option 2 to get things straight. The alternative you suggest looks good, will certainly give that a go.

Thanks for your help
Roger

**157** · 11 Nov 2012

You're most welcome Roger. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

**158** · 20 Dec 2012

Hi,

Hope you can help me. In trying to restore My Documents folder I messed up and somehow created a linked folder that I can not access, see the screenshot below. Can you offer some suggestions to correct?

Thanks,
Arron

User Folders - Restore Default Location-capture.png

**159** · 20 Dec 2012

Hello Arron, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What process did you use to try and restore it with? It looks like you may have used a mklink command??

Does it grant you access after you click on Continue?

Windows 7: User Folders - Restore Default Location

User Folders - Restore Default Location problems?