No Longer Saving to Last Location

Question

I often download several months’ worth of statements from institutions. Up until recently, after selecting the location and downloading the first file (usually a PDF), the subsequent files default save location was that same folder.

 

However, lately an odd behavior is happening. The correct (last download location) displays and is very quickly replaced by the "Desktop" location.

 

If I try to open the location from within a Word document (File>Info>Open file location) I also get sent to the Desktop.

 

Maybe related- Right Clicking a file shortcut on my desktop and selecting "Open File Location" yields the same behavior, even though the shortcut properties point to the correct location.

 

I run the same account on a different computer and the Desktop is synced by OneDrive. The same synced folders on that device's desktop DO open correctly from the desktop shortcuts.

 

When it started:

I can’t be precisely sure, but it started around the time I did a suggested space saving cleanup of OneDrive.

 

What I’ve tried so far:

Settings>System>Recovery>Reset this PC (Keep my files)

Chkdsk (all partitions)

Repaired Windows installation using Media Creation Tool (upgrade this computer and keep files)

I ran in Safe Mode and tried to open the shortcut and got the message "Error 0x80070780 File Cannot Be Accessed by the System" So based on other posts, I verified that my account does indeed have administrative privileges, I ran MalwareBytes and Defender scans and ran DISM & SFC:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

sfc /scannow

 

So far, none of these worked. I would really appreciate any help!