Windows 7 - Public Folders - Restore

**Brink** · **Public Folder** **Shell Command**

How to Restore the Windows 7 Public Folders

Information

This will show you how to restore any missing or moved Windows 7 Public folders located at C:\Users\Public.

Note

The hidden Favorites, Libraries, and nonhidden Public Recorded TV public folders are not included in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: Public folders

Here's How:

Warning

If you have any duplicate public folders, or public folders that do not have a Location properties tab, then you will need to:

Backup only the folder's contents to another location to be safe.
Now proceed with the steps below

1. To Restore Default Public Desktop Folder
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Public_Desktop_Folder.reg

2. To Restore Default Public Documents Folder
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Public_Documents_Folder.reg

3. To Restore Default Public Downloads Folder
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Public_Downloads_Folder.reg

4. To Restore Default Public Music Folder
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Public_Music_Folder.reg

5. To Restore Default Public Pictures Folder
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Public_Pictures_Folder.reg

6. To Restore Default Public Videos Folder
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Restore_Default_Public_Videos_Folder.reg

7. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

8. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

9. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

10. Open the C:\Users\Public folder. If a public folder is missing, then create a New Folder and rename it with the name below for each missing specific public folder.
Public Folders Names
NOTE: The names in red are hidden system folders.
Libraries

Favorites

Desktop

Documents

Downloads

Music

Pictures

Recorded TV

Videos

11. Open the Start Menu, then type in the Shell command (see table below) in the search box for the Public folder that you want to restore and press Enter.
NOTE: This is to see if it will open the public folder, and is restored to the C:\Users\Public location. If so, then you can skip step 11 and go to step 12.
Public Folder Shell Command
Public Desktop shell:Common Desktop
Public Documents shell:Common Documents
Public Downloads shell:CommonDownloads
Public Music shell:CommonMusic
Public Pictures shell:CommonPictures
Public Videos shell:CommonVideo
12. You may need to log off and log on, or restart the computer, to finish restoring the default public folder location.
NOTE: Sometimes you may need to restart more than once for the changes to be applied.

13. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file(s) on the desktop if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

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**Bare Foot Kid** · 03-08-2010

Nice, good work Brink.

**Brink** · 03-08-2010

Thank you Ted.

**wschw2** · 03-15-2010

I lost my public desktop folder,Or I uninstalled. I read your post on how to restore it, and restared about 5 times and still i8cant get my folder bakc
Is there anything else thatcould be done
Thanks

**Brink** · 03-15-2010

Hello Wschw2, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You can do a system restore using a restore point dated before it was deleted.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**wschw2** · 03-15-2010

I did a previous restore acct I had a program that i could delete, and the last date that I can restore to is 10 March 2010, i know the public desktop folder disappered long beforte that'

Or is there a way to restore way before that.
Thanks

**Brink** · 03-15-2010

Wschw,

In that case you can do a repair install without losing anything.

**wschw2** · 03-15-2010

how do I make a repair install?
Thanks

sorry about how to do it I just found the item, Thanks I'll let you know how it goes
By the way you guys/girls are great Thanks

**wschw2** · 03-15-2010

i tried a repair install and got the following message below: (I'M using a 64 bit)
The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.

You can’t upgrade 64-bit Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 64-bit version of the installation disc, or go online to see how to install Windows 7 and keep your files and settings.

**Brink** · 03-15-2010

Do you have a "retail" 64-bit Windows 7 installed and using a 64-bit installation DVD?

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