Confused About Location of Documents Folder

Question

Confused About Location of Documents Folder

Anonymous

I've been using Windows since release 3.1, so I am not totally ignorant. But I sure feel like I am at the moment. I am really confused.

I am running Windows 11. Using File Explorer I click on Documents, and I see exactly what I hope to see, which is over 1000 items, including many folders. The path simply says Documents. When I go up a level to Home, the Documents folder is labelled as Stored locally. Which is good, as locally is where I want it to be.

However, when I open Local Disk (C:), then Users, Roy, Documents I see just 6 items. That path is C:\Users\Roy\Documents,

Where is the Documents folder with all my files actually located??? Somewhere on C:, but not in the File Manager tree?

Thanks!

Roy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Answer accepted by question author

Solamillo Charity 20,280 Independent Advisor

Hello there! I am Charity, I'm an Independent Advisor. I'm glad to help you today!

Thank you for the information. If you’re using OneDrive, it may have moved your Documents folder to C:\Users\Roy\OneDrive\Documents. Check OneDrive settings to see if it's backing up your Documents folder.

To locate your actual Documents folder, in File Explorer, type shell:Personal in the address bar to go directly to your current Documents folder.

Please let me know if this works for you. I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

Kind Regards,

Charity

Please note that things might need more than one reply to completely resolve your issue, as it will completely depend on the complexity of the question and the amount of detail that you have provided me.

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3 additional answers

Answer 1

Anonymous

No, not today at least. I rarely do anything in Windows that I am not already familiar with. Thanks again.

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Answer 2

Solamillo Charity 20,280 Independent Advisor

You're very much welcome! Your experience with SQL Server and MVP background must have been invaluable to others back then. Is there anything else I can help you with? :)

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Answer 3

I'm sure that this is on the right path.! I think it was around the time that I subscribed to 365 that this all started, and OneDrive just sort of happened without my realizing it was happening.

Yes, I just did some digging based on your information: C:\Users\Roy\OneDrive\Documents

Thanks so much, Charity.

(In a very distant past life I used Microsoft SQL Server extensively, beginning when it was quite new. My time on the boards taught me a lot, and then I could share what I knew with those coming for help. It got me MVP status for several years. I'm long retired now though.)