How do I unmerge User folder and 'My Pictures' folder merged in error

danhatton1978 · 01 Sep 2012

I had moved 'My Pictures' folder away from C: \Users\username\My Pictures when I first set the computer up and I had it in another partitioned drive (E:).

For space reason I wanted to move it back to it's original location above and moved the whole folder across to the C: but instead of having it as a folder in the username folder as it should be I merged it in error with the username folder!

The folder is now named My Pictures and has the path C: \Users\My Pictures\ in the registry. I have (hopefully) attached the properties of the folder which shows that there is no location tab. The network path is shown as \\HOME\Users\username.

How do I clean up the folder back to it's standard user folder detail without the merged detail of My Pictures and I guess the easier part is to create a new My Pictures folder and point the registry to it (as per the detail in the top line).

Please help a newbie!

Cheers

Dan

fireberd · 01 Sep 2012

Have you tried a System Restore back to a date prior to doing what you did? That MAY fix it.

System Restore can be accessed from Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools

A Guy · 01 Sep 2012

Welcome to Seven Forums danhatton1978. I would make sure you have a backups of the images in the folder, just in case. Then have a look here:

User Folders - Restore Default Location

A Guy

danhatton1978 · 08 Sep 2012

Hi all and thanks for the assistance. 'A GUY' I have now followed the tutorial and have a fully working 'My Pictures' folder thanks for the link.

The situation of me having a merged USER folder is still present as described in my first post. How can I rectify my USER folder so it isn't merged with my old 'My Pictures' folder?

Will I have to delete the user and create a new one? If so please can someone assist me in how I do this whilst keeping all the data and settings from the current USER folder/profile?

Many thanks in advance,

Dan

A Guy · 08 Sep 2012

I have requested more help for you. You could perhaps create a new user and transfer your settings there using Windows Easy Transfer, but perhaps there is an easier way. Also, I am unsure if this would entail transferring your entire user folder, defeating the purpose. A Guy

Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

NoelDP · 08 Sep 2012

Please right-click on the Pictures folder and select Properties.
What does it say in the Location tab??

Do the same for the User folder, and the Documents folder
Post back with details!!

danhatton1978 · 17 Sep 2012

Sorry for the delay I've just come back from a much needed holiday.

Having followed the procedures above I have restored the default location of My Pictures. The new 'My Pictures' folder I have created has a location of C:\Users\Dan Hatton\Pictures.

I moved the documents folder when I originally partitioned the drives so that is fine and is E:\Users\Dan Hatton\My documents.

The problematic merged user folder/pictures folder still has no location tab, I have attached the detail of the properties on this folder. The sharing tab shows the network path as being: \\HOME\Users\Dan Hatton.

Thanks

NoelDP · 17 Sep 2012

The proper Pictures folder is a special type of folder, with NameSpace properties.

You need to check that the following registry Keys point to the correct folder
HKU\<your userSID)>\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
HKU\<your userSID)>\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

danhatton1978 · 25 Sep 2012

The User Shell Folder has it named as %USERPROFILE%\My Pictures
The Shell Folder has it named as C:\Users\Dan Hatton\My Pictures

Thanks in advance

NoelDP · 25 Sep 2012

Hmmm -
In my bare metal machine i get
D:\Pictures for both
In my VM, I get (after moving it to C:\Pictures)
Shell Folders: C:\Pictures
User Shell Folders: %Systemdrive%\Pictures
(after moving it back)
Shell Folders: C:\Users\Noel-VM\My Pictures
User Shell Folders: %USERPROFILE%\My Pictures

So it looks as if yours should be right.

Please run the following commands, and post the results

Code:

 
REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{33E28130-4E1E-4676-835A-98395C3BC3BB} /S
REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{33E28130-4E1E-4676-835A-98395C3BC3BB} /S
REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{A990AE9F-A03B-4e80-94BC-9912D7504104}  /S