Library locations incorrect, possibly inherited from Windows 10 upgrade?


alan999

New member
Local time
2:16 PM
Posts
15
OS
Windows 11 Pro
I am hoping someone can point out where the issue might be. I will try to include all relevant details.

I have an annoying issue where files or saved pictures are placed in unexpected locations. From what I understand based on other discussions, this seems directly related to Library folders acting as shell wrappers rather than "real" folders, involving OneDrive and "Personal" libraries.

Online, my OneDrive backup structure is set up exactly as intended:
Code:
onedrive.live.com/my > Documents
                       Downloads
                       Music
                       Pictures

In File Explorer, the default top-left navigation panel lists:
  • Home
  • Gallery
  • <user name> - Personal
Below that, it lists the same OneDrive library locations shown above.

The Issue with Quick Access
The problem occurs when I pin locations to Quick Access. For illustration, I'll use the placeholder username "Roger".

Say I have a subfolder called "stuff" located at:
Roger - Personal > Documents > stuff

If I pin "stuff" to the Quick Access menu and then click that pinned item, File Explorer displays the location as:
OneDrive/Roger - Personal/Downloads/Documents/stuff

However, the folder actually resides at:
OneDrive/Roger - Personal/Documents/stuff

While the library location works, this setup causes practical issues. For instance, when I download a file through a browser, instead of saving to Roger - Personal/Downloads as expected, the file goes to:
C:\Users\Roger\Downloads

System Context & History
I have two PCs:
  • A brand new machine with Windows 11 preinstalled (the one currently having this issue).
  • An older machine upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
On the upgraded machine, I had previously messed up my OneDrive backups so that everything was stored under:
Code:
onedrive.live.com/my/Downloads >
                                Downloads
                                Documents
I corrected that directory structure on the older PC afterward.

Could that old directory structure still be lingering somewhere in my account or profile? The new machine seems to be randomly picking it up. I have checked the registry as suggested in various troubleshooting articles, but I cannot find a way to resolve this.
 
Windows Build/Version
26H2 26300.9711

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProAmd Ryzen 7
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
minisforum
CPU
Amd Ryzen 7

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