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Can't save to desktop

Anonymous
2022-01-16T11:35:39+00:00

I have an HP Pavillion Notebook and am running Windows 10. Recently (I think since my last windows update but I'm not 100% sure) I've been unable to save anything to my desktop. I can't save new files there, or make changes to any I have previously put on my desktop. The error message I get when I try to do so says I do not have permission to save files in this location and tells me to contact an administrator.

Mine is the only user account on the laptop and I've checked the user permissions under the 'security' tab of the 'properties' window for the C: drive and also for the 'desktop' folder under my username and individual files that are affected. It shows my user account listed under the administrator group and 'full control' is ticked along with all permissions listed except 'special permissions', so it looks like I definitely should have permissions to modify files. There is another user group listed alongside 'Administrators' and 'SYSTEM', which is called 'Everyone'. The group, 'Everyone' does not have full control permission, but my username is not listed by the group so I haven't messed with these permissions.

I tried to create a folder on the desktop to see if it would let me and when I saved the name of the folder a window popped up saying that I would have to give permission as an administrator to make this change. I clicked the button to say I wanted to give permission which was marked with the little shield icon, and it took a moment, but It did save the folder. But I can't save any files in the folder, or anywhere with a file path leading back to the desktop. I am able to create a shortcut on the desktop to a file stored elsewhere (like in the documents folder) but again, when saving the shortcut to the desktop it prompts me to give administrator permission. No such prompt appears when I want to save a file that is stored on the desktop. I can open files on the desktop - if I hit 'save' it will open file explorer as if I had clicked on 'save as'. If I try to save to the desktop it says I don't have permission and suggests I try to save in 'documents' instead.

I am able to move files from my desktop to my documents folder, where I can edit and save them fine, so I haven't actually lost anything for good. I've checked that controlled Folder Access under Windows Defender is switched off. I also used the system file checker tool to find any corrupted files. It did find corrupted files and claims to have fixed them, but the problem I've been experiencing persists the same. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-01-16T12:14:06+00:00

    Hi Lizzie_611 -

    I'm Jerico T., I understand that you're having some issues right now and I'd be more than happy to help you today.

    Please try to restart (not shutdown) your computer, let it reach your desktop before the next restart and check if it will fix your concern. If the issue still persist, perform the methods below.

    Method 1: Create a new user profile

    • We will try to create new user profile to check if the issue happens on all windows users on your computer or just isolated on the current profile that you're using.
    1. Open the command prompt with elevated access (Run as Administrator)
    2. Type the below command and hit enter every after command.

    net user "account name" /add

    (change the "account name" to any name that you preferred)

    net localgroup administrators "account name" /add

    (change the "account name" with the name that you put in the first command)

    1. Close the command prompt and switch to the new user.

    Check if the same issue occurs on the new user profile. If the same issue persisted on the new user profile, perform method 2.

    Method 2: System Restore

    • System restore is where it will take your computer settings back to an earlier point in time where everything is working fine.
    1. Open the run box by pressing Windows Key + R and type rstrui.exe then press enter.
    2. System restore windows will open. Normally it will suggest a restore point(Sometimes it doesn't), if it does, select the 2nd option to select more restore points.
    3. Select your desired restore point date and time.
    4. Once selected, hit next and finish.

    Windows will restart itself to start system restore. System restore might take some time to complete and it is very important that system restore must not be interrupted during restore process as it might damaged the operating system. System restore will take at least 20 minutes or more depending on the content of the computer and the changes on the settings that was done prior to the date selected. System restore will also removed application , updates and drivers installed prior to the date selected.

    DISCLAIMER:

    System Restore is a recovery tool for Windows that allows you to reverse certain kinds of changes made to the operating system. System Restore is used to return important Windows files and settings—like drivers, registry keys, system files, installed programs, and more—back to previous versions and settings. Being said all applications and changes made prior to the date selected will be removed and needs to be re-installed if its needed.

    Feel free to reach back if you need any further assistance.

    Hope this help. Have a good day.

    Thank you,

    Jerico T.

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