Multiple extra folders or links in my system


Hoot29palms

Member
Local time
7:21 PM
Posts
3
OS
Windows 11
Somehow my DOCUMENTS ended up in the 1971-1973 folder. After I tried to fix it and the DESKTOP ended up in the wrong place. I have no idea how they all got into SHARED FAVORITES. At about that time I got scared of the registry and did some research and found this site. So here I am, a 79 year old gamer with a screwed up directory. I've noticed some weird stuff like the same files showing up twice when I search for a file so I think I need HELP. I have my registry Shell Folders abd User Shell Folders screens available to upload. I'm lost HELLLLLP!

My Directory Problem.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R13
    CPU
    I9-12900KF
    Motherboard
    Alienware 0C92D0
    Memory
    64Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce RTX 3090
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32 inch Veiwsonic
    Screen Resolution
    3440 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB and 2TB
    PSU
    Alienware
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Water
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    Logitech G
    Browser
    Foxfire
    Antivirus
    McAfee
Indeed, you do have a big ol' mess.

By default when one uses a Microsoft account, the default location of Desktop, documents, pictures, and videos folders is Onedrive.

A red X on a folder indicates a OneDrive sync issue. From your screenshot, it appears you have some folders/files on your system drive (or another local drive as your screenshot is not expanded to say) and other folders syncing to onedrive. Please post a screenshot of This PC

Unless one uses Office 365 which gives you 1tb of free storage, a user is given only 5gb of free onedrive storage. I would guess that you have so many files you have exceeded your 5gb free onedrive storage limit. (you would need to verify this by logging into Onedrive on the web). https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/free-online-cloud-storage

If your cloud limit has indeed been exceeded, you will need to purchase additional onedrive storage space OR unlink your account from Onedrive and manually move all your files from Onedrive back into your personal folder on your C drive (or another drive connected to your PC).
How do I get rid of OneDrive permanently?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
These are the only folders affected by the problems. My cloud limit has not been exceeded, I checked with microsoft. Nothing. I'll post my registry entries that I think are pertinent.

Registry User Shell Folders.webpRegistry Shell Folders.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R13
    CPU
    I9-12900KF
    Motherboard
    Alienware 0C92D0
    Memory
    64Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce RTX 3090
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32 inch Veiwsonic
    Screen Resolution
    3440 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB and 2TB
    PSU
    Alienware
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Water
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    Logitech G
    Browser
    Foxfire
    Antivirus
    McAfee
Your very first screenshot of file explorer shows onedrive sync issues. These exact same folders that have a problem show a location of onedrive in your last screenshot. If you have having an issue with ALL pf your shell folders, I do not see it in your file explorer screenshot.
View attachment 138985

which corresponds to this.
View attachment 138987
There is no doubt in my mind that this is all due to you trying to deal with onedrive and not knowing how to. How you managed to involve your user folders of Desktop, Documents, and Pictures with a folder called "shared favorites" I have no idea.
You can do the following to get the location of both pictures and desktop back to default but I can not guarantee this whether all your files can be found at onedrive on the web, I have my doubts. So I hope you have copies of these files.

If it were me I would use 3rd party imaging software to create a full system image before proceeding..

1.You first have to turn off backup folder syncing.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/turn-on-or-off-onedrive-folder-backup-syncing-across-windows-11-devices.4321/

2.Use option three in the tutorials below to restore the default folder location and move your files manually from Onedrive into the folders.. If you do not find them be sure and look at the shared favorites folder for them if it is there.
2. Then you have to unlink account & PC from onedrive.
Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11
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

3. You can then either uninstall Onedrive or disable it. I prefer to disable it. Open Task Manager>Startup Apps
Find Onedrive in the list and, right click on it, select disable. This prevents Onedrive from auto-starting.

4. If you want to uninstall it instead, the best way is to use Revo Uninstaller Freeware Portable. You’ll find Onedrive under the Windows Apps section. Be sure to scan for and delete any leftover files and registry entries Revo finds. Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Thanks for the advice. I'm working on it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R13
    CPU
    I9-12900KF
    Motherboard
    Alienware 0C92D0
    Memory
    64Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce RTX 3090
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32 inch Veiwsonic
    Screen Resolution
    3440 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB and 2TB
    PSU
    Alienware
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Water
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    Logitech G
    Browser
    Foxfire
    Antivirus
    McAfee

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