Desktop not on drive C but on another drive and different user

I recently encountered Windows 11 when forced to purchase a new machine. I started out with a new drive C on which windows had been installed by the manufacturer (custom made). I then installed 3 SSDs from my old machine and Windows recognized them immediately. I then started pasting files and folders on the desktop to organize things. They kept "disappearing". I would go to Explorer and go to my desktop and the file I just pasted wasn't there! I eventually figured out that MS was "stealing" the files to store them on One Drive. I've never used One Drive and had no intention of doing so now. Especially not after this experience.

I created a folder on another drive (Drive E) and named it "one drive rescue". I then eventually found all the files on One Drive and downloaded them to this folder on Drive E. I then used Revo and unstalled One Drive. For the past week I've been making progress with this new overly intricate OS. Even found a few things I like.

However, I just discovered I do not have a desktop folder in Explorer drive C. I do not have a desktop folder in C:/Users myname). It seems that most of the folders and apps visible on my desktop actually reside in Drive E: /One Drive Rescue - the folder I created for all downloads from One Drive before I deleted it. The few apps that aren't in the Drive E folder are on drive C:/users/public. There is no desktop folder in C:/users/myname. My name folder does have documents, favorites, downloads, music, appdata etc. It seems to have everything one would expect except for the usual Desktop.

I'd like to bring this back to the expected configuration but don't want to invite another mishap. Can I simply create a Desktop folder under C:/users/myname and move all the files and folders out of the Drive E folder and out of the C:/users/public folder and paste them into the created Destop folder in C:/users/myname? Will it be recognized as THE desktop from that point forward?
AND - can I continue with One Drive removed from my system?

Thanks for any and all help

You can not arbitrarily only just un-install onedrive. There are other steps you must do first for this procedure to work correctly to get your personal folders/files back onto your C: drive under c:\users\yourusername. . However, this procedure assumes that Onedrive is installed so for it to work right, you will have to reinstall and login to Onedrive.
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How to Properly Remove OneDrive from Windows 11

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows automatically sets Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos folders to use OneDrive as their default storage location.

If you don’t want to use OneDrive, you’ll need to carefully follow the steps below. Skipping or rearranging them can cause issues with your files and folders.

Important:
These instructions assume that OneDrive is still installed on your PC.
If you’ve already uninstalled it, for this procedure to work, you will need to first reinstall OneDrive by downloading it from Microsoft’s official site.

• Restart your PC, sign in to OneDrive, and then continue with the tutorial.

Step 1: Turn Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing

First, you need to stop OneDrive from automatically syncing your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Videos folders. This guide will also help you get your files back on to your local drive.
Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing in Windows 11

Only If the folders don’t automatically return to their default local location under C:\Users|YourUserName in step 1 above:
Use the tutorials below (Option Three) to manually restore the default location of each folder and manually move your files from Onedrive into it.
Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11 |

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Step 2: Unlink Account & PC from OneDrive

After syncing is turned off, disconnect your account and computer from OneDrive:
Unlink account & PC from Onedrive.

Once you do this the files you have in onedrive will remain there until you login to Onedrive on the Web and delete them.
Microsoft OneDrive

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Step 3: Prevent OneDrive from Starting Automatically or Uninstall Onedrive

At this point, you can either disable OneDrive from autostart or uninstall it.

NOTE: Office 365 and Ofc 2019-2024 DEFAULT save location is Onedrive. You will have to go into each Office app and change its default save location to a folder on your computer. (file>options>Save>Uncheck save to onedrive by default and Check Save to computer by default. Select a local folder where you want files saved.)
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To disable Onedrive from auto-starting(recommended):

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

Go to the Startup Apps tab.

Find OneDrive, right-click it, and select Disable.

This prevents OneDrive from launching at startup and survives Windows and Office updates.
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To Uninstall OneDrive (Optional)
Note: An Office update may reinstall Onedrive at some point.
If you prefer to completely remove OneDrive, use one of these methods:

Method 1 – Using Revo Uninstaller (recommended):
Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware Portable.

• Open Revo and look under Windows Apps to find OneDrive.
• Uninstall it using Revo, then run its scan feature. Check all the leftover files and registry entries Revo finds and remove.

Method 2 – Built-in Windows option:
You can also uninstall OneDrive through Windows settings, but this may leave some registry entries behind. Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11

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Following this sequence ensures your files are safe and your folders return to their proper locations, while OneDrive is disabled or completely removed from your system. Note: Whether this will work as written for you depends on what steps were taken in your prior attempts to get rid of Onedrive. Sometimes a user’s incorrect actions can have unwanted results. Nevertheless, your files should still be in Onedrive so they are not lost.

Help please. I tried to install One Drive but ended up installing the one you purchase from the store rather than the one that comes with Windows 11. How can I tell the difference?
Another option? I found the Revo Restore Point where I uninstalled One Drive. Is there a way of returning the computer to to before the uninstall using the restore point? I've nothing on it that can't be put in my own cloud for the moment, and not much has been installed since.

I also found these in the recycle bin - see attached pdf
Thanks again.

Uninstall whatever version of Onedrive you installed using Revo. Restart, then download it again. You should not have used the store but used the link I provided above marked Microsoft Official Site which takes you here. Click the black download button

I just went to the link from your message of 15 minutes ago. It is the one from the store - and the one I accidentally downloaded the last time. It says:

If you have Windows 11, OneDrive is already installed on your PC. If you're using another version of Windows, install OneDrive to get started.
Download OneDriveSign in
See plans and pricing

It seems to me they are saying this link is for those using another version of windows. And then they note pricing - it is the Ond Drive that would be paid for and not integrated with Win II? I think.....

The link is the same one Brink mentions in his tutorial so I believe it is correct. option 2 here

Pricing is mentioned if a user needs more onedrive storage than the 5 gb of free storage one gets with a Microsoft account.

Partially repaired! I found a download of an .exe file I'd found and used to reinstall right after uninstalling, One Drive. I don't know where I got it but it worked then and now. Therefore file explorer shows a top level of folders with only a few files and the location of the folders is c: users/myname/one drive/documents (or attachnments etc. To be sure this was a real "one drive" I created a word document and saved it in the Attachment folder on One Drive. The file shows there. The desktop folder on One Drive is empty. The documents folder on One Drive has 20+ files.

The second set of folders, all pinned. Why are they pinned? The pinned Desktop folder shows a location of Drive E which is where I created a rescue folder for my desktop files and folders. I somehow need to change the location of the pinned folder to Users/myname/desktop. The documents pinned folder shows a One Drive location which also needs to be changed after I download the files. The other pinned folders are empty and show the correct location of C:/users/myname/foldername.

One big? issue I see is that on C:/users/myname all the expected folders are present...EXCEPT.... for the desktop folder. I can create a desktop folder and move the files and folders from the present desktop folder on drive E but will that be ok?

Then I need to tell Windows not to store anything on One Drive. I have to negate syncing . I'm ok leaving one drive alive as long as it sleeps peacefully.

Question is, do I make a desktop folder on C:/users/myname/ and then move the desktop files and folders to that folder? Will they be recognized or would I be safer having my desktop on Drive E where it is functioning normally....

I'm attaching a shot of Explorer with the two sets of files to show its new configuration.

Victory! I followed all the detailed instructions provided by Glasskuter and a shot of my present Explorer is attached. I un-lynced my computer from One Drive and it is no longer showing in Explorer. I also disabled One Drive in Startup to prevent it from reinstating itself.

My Desktop folder is back and pointing correctly to C:/Users/myname/ and the other folders are in the same Users folder as expected. I haven't moved all the files to their correct drive and folder, particularly the desktop ones, but I'm feeling very hopeful the little bit left will go smoothly tomorrow.

And once again - thank you Glasskuter!