Solved Documents folder icons and content changed

[ron6962]

After running Windows 7 Professional A-OK for over a year, suddenly the main Documents folder (My Computer, Documents, under Libraries) has icons and folder names I do not recognize. The folder names are foreign to me, but resemble names as in an address book. When one of the folders is opened, it contains a few files from my original Documents folder, but there is no correlation to the folder name. The folder icon looks like three blank pages, rather than the original manila folder icon. Interestingly, if I click on the plus sign next to Documents, I get a drop down folder named My Documents, and the contents of it is normal and contains all my documents. ????

This began after some regular updates, so I did a restore prior to the updates, but the problem persists. I am working around it by creating a shortcut to the desktop from the My Documents folder (within Documents) that appears to be normal.

Has anyone seen this and if so, what is suggested to correct? I can post a screenshot of what it looks like if needed. Any help appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello Ron,

Please go ahead and post back with a screenshot showing what you see to see if it may help to ID the issue.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html
​

In addition, check to see what folders you have included in your Documents library to see if one of them may be this folder instead.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html
​

How does your My Documents folder look in the C:\Users\(user-name) folder location?

 

[ron6962]

Thanks for the reply. This is the strangest thing I have seen working on computer issues. Attached is the screenshot showing some of the contents of the DOCUMENTS folder. As I stated, the MY DOCUMENTS folder (underneath DOCUMENTS) appears OK.

The My Documents folder in the C:\Users\(user-name) folder location appears OK.

I'm not sure I understand the question about "check to see what folders you have included in your Documents library to see if one of them may be this folder instead." I'm working on this problem for a friend remotely, so don't have immediate access. Will follow up.

Thanks again for your reply.

 

[Slartybart]

Hi Ron,

Could you post another screenshot of the library, but this time close the preview pane and change the view to details. You also have Arrange by: set to Author. Please change that to Folder.

Also, please follow the SevenForums recommended posting instructions.
See: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

The library only shows one location, presumably "My documents". In the library view: click on the "1 location" to confirm.

My first guess is that these are eMail objects - how they got in My Documents or why they're included in a Library view are the next questions if my assumption is correct.

Bill
.

 

[Brink]

Ron,

I was asking to check to see what folders have been included in the Documents library to see if one of the included folders may be the source of the files you didn't recognize from your "C:\Users\(user-name)\Documents" folder.

The 3 glass plates is definitely from you having the library set to Arrange by -> Author instead of Folder.

Sort by, Group by, and Arrange by Items in Windows 8 File Explorer

 

[ron6962]

Ok, thanks again for the replies. I am doing this troubleshooting remotely to a friend's computer, so please pardon the time lapse in my responses. I will take another look at the areas you suggest and also re-read the posting rules...I thought I did it correctly, but will try again. Thanks for your patience.

 

[Brink]

Don't worry about it Ron. We'll be here when you're able to continue.

 

[Slartybart]

..... troubleshooting remotely ..... friend's computer ..... posting rules...I thought I did it correctly .....

Understood about your friend's computer and troubleshooting remotely.

Not necessarily posting rules, more "ease of use" posting suggestions when troubleshooting remotely
If members can see or read the data, that's the important thing. You did it "correctly"

Bill
.

 

[ron6962]

Well, it appears I hit the wrong button in my last reply, as the thread was marked Solved, but my closing comments were not posted. It's not easy being a newbie. (-:

Thanks to Slartybark and Brink, I have discovered the source of the strange looking folders. Somehow, the Arrange By option was changed from Folder to Author, which explains why everything looked the way it did. Simply changing the option back to Folder solved the mystery. Thank you so much for the help and for your patience.

 

[Brink]

Glad we could help.

 

[Slartybart]

..... Thanks to Slartybark and Brink, I have discovered the source of the strange looking folders.
..... Thank you so much for the help and for your patience.

Woof...
You're welcome, glad you sorted it.

Bill
.