Multiple occurence of "Desktop" folder in File explorer directory view .

Question

Multiple occurence of  "Desktop" folder in File explorer directory view  . The desktop is on the very top, and there is a desktop under it, which includes "this PC" and then there is another desktop in thi directory. This is very confusing. How to fix the structure and  bring "this PC" to the top?

Answer 1

Hi Moshe. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...
2. The closest there is to resetting This PC in Navigation Pane to default is to try removing This PC from the Navigation Pane in File Explorer, then restart PC and add it back again. See here:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5352-add-re...

3. There are also these registry edits for removing items from Navigation Pane which may be helpful in trying to sort this out:

https://www.askvg.com/windows-10-tip-remove-one...

Unfortunately this is all there is as of now on editing Nav Pane. I hope it's helpful.

____________________________

Linked tutorials are from trusted Microsoft MVP's.

Answer 2

The Desktop folder under This PC is a link to the file system folder that contains files and folders specific to your UserProfile. It's Properties dialog will have a Location tab that verifies this:

You have your Navigation Pane options set to Show all folders, which, when collapsed, displays only two items: Desktop & Quick Access:

These are both virtual folders, and this Desktop is the root of the Shell Namespace for your PC. Take a few minutes to browse that link, it helps you understand the non-filesystem items seen here:

If you turn off Show all folders, the Navigation Pane collapses to 4 or 5 items, depending on whether or not you've chosen to Show libraries. The items displayed in this view are all children of the root Deskop, as seen above.

 I prefer this mode personally. You can always navigate to the root Desktop using Up one level, or the Address bar drop-list.

Keith

Answer 3

Thank you, Greg. I am back to this errand. Will try and keep you updated. All the  best. M

Hi Moshe. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...
2. The closest there is to resetting This PC in Navigation Pane to default is to try removing This PC from the Navigation Pane in File Explorer, then restart PC and add it back again. See here:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5352-add-re...

3. There are also these registry edits for removing items from Navigation Pane which may be helpful in trying to sort this out:

https://www.askvg.com/windows-10-tip-remove-one...

Unfortunately this is all there is as of now on editing Nav Pane. I hope it's helpful.

____________________________

Linked tutorials are from trusted Microsoft MVP's.

Answer 4

Thank you, Keith!

I am back to this project. Will try to follow your advice.

All thy best. M

The Desktop folder under This PC is a link to the file system folder that contains files and folders specific to your UserProfile. It's Properties dialog will have a Location tab that verifies this:

You have your Navigation Pane options set to Show all folders, which, when collapsed, displays only two items: Desktop & Quick Access:

These are both virtual folders, and this Desktop is the root of the Shell Namespace for your PC. Take a few minutes to browse that link, it helps you understand the non-filesystem items seen here:

If you turn off Show all folders, the Navigation Pane collapses to 4 or 5 items, depending on whether or not you've chosen to Show libraries. The items displayed in this view are all children of the root Deskop, as seen above.

 I prefer this mode personally. You can always navigate to the root Desktop using Up one level, or the Address bar drop-list.

Keith

Answer 5

Thank you again, Keith. 

Your suggestion helped to painlessly solve  my problem. 

Awesome!

Moshe

Thank you, Keith!

I am back to this project. Will try to follow your advice.

All thy best. M

The Desktop folder under This PC is a link to the file system folder that contains files and folders specific to your UserProfile. It's Properties dialog will have a Location tab that verifies this:

You have your Navigation Pane options set to Show all folders, which, when collapsed, displays only two items: Desktop & Quick Access:

These are both virtual folders, and this Desktop is the root of the Shell Namespace for your PC. Take a few minutes to browse that link, it helps you understand the non-filesystem items seen here:

If you turn off Show all folders, the Navigation Pane collapses to 4 or 5 items, depending on whether or not you've chosen to Show libraries. The items displayed in this view are all children of the root Deskop, as seen above.

 I prefer this mode personally. You can always navigate to the root Desktop using Up one level, or the Address bar drop-list.

Keith