Downloads Folder Broken

Question

In File Explorer, I right-clicked the Downloads folder and clicked Properties. Then, I went to Advanced and either clicked "Encrypt contents to secure data" or "Compress contents to save disk space." I then clicked Cancel while it was in the middle of doing it, and it broke. To try to fix it, someone told me to go to Regedit and edit a setting (i forgot). Now, I can't click "Encrypt contents to secure data," and it’s checked and grayed out.

I also can’t install anything to the Downloads folder, move anything to it, or rename anything in it.

Answer 1

If that works, delete the old Downloads folder, then right click the new Downloads2 folder, select Properties, and on the Location tab on the resulting dialog, click 'Restore Default' and wait for it to move back.

Answer 2

Yeah but I can move it all to a folder on my desktop or something.

Answer 3

Do you have any data stored in that Downloads folder that you need?

Answer 4

I have the Pro version and it does say "General Items" in the Customize tab.

Answer 5

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

1
Open the Settings App, then go to System - About.

What version (Home or Pro) is installed on your PC?

If that is the Home version, you will not have access to the Encryption option, that functionality is provided by Bitlocker, which does not exist in the Home version currently, it is only available in the Pro and Education versions of Windows.

2
Right click the Downloads folder and select Properties.

On the resulting dialog, select the Customize tab

There is an Optimize drop-down menu on that tab, what is that currently set to, is it 'General Items'?