Desktop Folder is Downloads Folder instead. How to Correct this?


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pacificSurf

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I was following a tutorial on how to change the default save location in Microsoft paint. Maybe I changed the target location of a folder I think. cant Seem to reverse engineer it. See when I choose desktop folder, it's actually saving it to the downloads folder.

And Right clicking the Desktop Folder does not have a Location TAb to change the destination location. Only does this in MS paint. Not anything else.

How do I get it back to Desktop being Desktop?

W11 Pro
downloads.webp
 

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So to the right of "downloads" you have a closed arrow pointing down... try clicking on it - to where you want it saved..
 

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remover said:
So to the right of "downloads" you have a closed arrow pointing down... try clicking on it - to where you want it saved..
Click to expand...
But isnt that just manually changing it each time? I did something permanent that messed up the folder target locations.
 

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www.elevenforum.com

Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to move or restore the default location of the Desktop folder for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Desktop folder (shell:Desktop) is a component of the user profile that is used as a unified location for storing personal data. By default, the...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

 

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    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
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    …still on a horse.
Go to your browser's settings and change the default download location to your Desktop. Follow @antspants way.... post back & let us know
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home "S" mode: 24H2 (OS Build 26100.4351)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Processor: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40G
    Motherboard
    64-bit operating system Dell 0XMF7W
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel R Iris R XE Graphics family
    Sound Card
    Cirrus Speakers High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP monitor
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    1920 x 1080
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    NVMe 670p SSDPEKNU512GZ NVMe I NTEL 512GB
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    cheap
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    Logitech wireless mouse
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    16 Mps download
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    Dell model: Inspiron 15 3511
antspants said:
www.elevenforum.com

Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to move or restore the default location of the Desktop folder for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Desktop folder (shell:Desktop) is a component of the user profile that is used as a unified location for storing personal data. By default, the...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

Okay I did the Restore to default thing, seems to have fixed the saving location back to normal Desktop being desktop.

But I noticed when I go to "Move", there is two Desktop Folders, is this normal? (top image)

But If I manually open windows explorer > Home, there is only 1 desktop folder (bottom image)
test.webp

Screenshot 2025-05-21 152330.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windwos 11 pro
Right click on the Desktop folder with the download icon and unpin it. Is that possible?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
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    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
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    …still on a horse.
If you click on the Desktop folder with the Download icon on it, where does it go to?

or you can “Open In New Window” to see
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
antspants said:
If you click on the Desktop folder with the Download icon on it, where does it go to?

or you can “Open In New Window” to see
Click to expand...
It opens my desktop: (this is what opened when I did Open in new window):

Screenshot 2025-05-21 154932.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
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OK and if you right click on the normal desktop folder in that image and choose Open In New Window, does that also open the correct desktop folder?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
And because you can see the contents of the desktop (those 3 documents) that is your correct desktop?

If so:

I would move and select the desktop with the correct Desktop Folder Icon (Not the one with the download arrow on it)
The Desktop folder with the Download Folder Icon, could be some kind of residual link that was created when you made the original mistake.
I wouldn’t worry that it is there because as you said, it all shows correctly in Windows Explorer.

There doesn’t seem to be a delete or remove option in the image with the right click context menu. So I’d leave it alone. I’ll see if I can replicate it later. I doubt I could though.

Just to note, I have had two Folders showing for a user folder after moving the location of a folder. But not for a long time.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
antspants said:
And because you can see the contents of the desktop (those 3 documents) that is your correct desktop?

If so:

I would move and select the desktop with the correct Desktop Folder Icon (Not the one with the download arrow on it)
The Desktop folder with the Download Folder Icon, could be some kind of residual link that was created when you made the original mistake.
I wouldn’t worry that it is there because as you said, it all shows correctly in Windows Explorer.

There doesn’t seem to be a delete or remove option in the image with the right click context menu. So I’d leave it alone. I’ll see if I can replicate it later. I doubt I could though.

Just to note, I have had two Folders showing for a user folder after moving the location of a folder. But not for a long time.
Click to expand...
Okay Ill changed the MOVE target location to that desktop folder without the download icon. Although when I did it, it did not change the target location path. It is still C:\Users\Admin\Desktop, which is fine. Thats correct I think.

I tried the other with the download icon, and same path, C:\Users\Admin\Desktop. So idk, maybe some glitch then from what ever I did before, as you said.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windwos 11 pro
As long as windows Explorer shows the correct user folders, you should be good to go.

But… as a test, can you create a text file and “Save As”, when you get an option of where to save it to, do you still see 2 Desktop Folders? (The correct folder icon and the incorrect folder icon)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
antspants said:
As long as windows Explorer shows the correct user folders, you should be good to go.

But… as a test, can you create a text file and “Save As”, when you get an option of where to save it to, do you still see 2 Desktop Folders? (The correct folder icon and the incorrect folder icon)
Click to expand...
No, Notepad>Save as> I dont get 2. Just the normal desktop folder:

That secondary desktop folder with the download icon I guess seems to only show when accessing the "Move" button to change the file path location of desktop folder.

Screenshot 2025-05-21 161809.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windwos 11 pro
then I’d say it’s a residual linkage. Weird but I have seen it before.

Here is something else you could do if it starts appearing.

Follow this tutorial and remove the Desktop from This PC then Add it again. (They’re just links, it wont remove the actual folder)

www.elevenforum.com

Add or Remove Folders under This PC in File Explorer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the 3D Objects, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and/or Videos folder(s) in File Explorer > This PC for all users in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 build 25136 and build 22621.160, Microsoft is introducing a refreshed layout...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

You can use the included reg files to remove, then add again.

Under:

Option Two

Remove Folders under This PC in File Explorer​


Scroll down to option “4. Remove Desktop folder from This PC” to remove the folder.


Under:

Option One

Add Folders under This PC in File Explorer​


Scroll down to option “4. Add Desktop folder to This PC” to add the folder.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5472
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
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