Documents folder inside Documents folder

Question

A question identical or similar to this was raised in 2021 on this forum but I don't quite understand the advice that was given then.

I have this annoying setup on my system, which I seem to have had ever since Windows 7 came along:

In the right pane of File Explorer the contents of each of the top two things called Documents (I won't call them folders as the icon isn't the standard folder icon) are almost identical, with the upper one showing two additional elements (an Adobe folder and what appears to be a OneDrive link of some kind). The folder called Public Documents contains that Adobe folder (and nothing else), and the folder called Documents contains that OneDrive link (and nothing else).

The annoying part of this setup is that I have to expand the upper thing called Documents before I can expand the lower one in order to display my subfolders in the left pane, plus the anomalous aspect of seeing something inside itself (more or less).

I notice that this problem doesn't exist on the Windows system I use at work so evidently it's possible to remove the superfluous Documents things (x 2). I would very much appreciate advice on how to do that so that I can be rid of this annoyance once and for all, to which I would add that I can't imagine why such a visually confusing setup is there in the first place.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

My name is Cindy. I am sorry you are having this problem. I know it is really frustrating. I will do my best to help you with this problem.

Please note: This is a user-to-user community forum. We are users just like you who help others. We are not employees of Microsoft.

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Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Type troubleshooter in the search on the taskbar.

Click on Other Troubleshooters.

Click on the run button in the Search and Indexing.

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Try rebuilding the search index.

Please click on the Windows Key and R Key at the same time.

Paste the link below and hit enter.

rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL srchadmin.dll

Click on Advanced

In the troubleshooting section click on the rebuild.

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If this does not work, go back to the step above and run the code again.

Click on Modify.

Check the indexed locations. Make sure all are checked and accept the C D E F drivers.

Click OK.

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Please let me know if you continue to have a problem.

Best Wishes,

Cindy

Answer 2

Thank you.

I ran the first task but with no apparent effect (File Explorer still looks exactly the same). As for the second, Windows+R brings up the services list and I don't see anywhere there where I can actually enter and run something. What am I missing?

(By the way, I call it a "problem" but in fact it's evidently how Windows is designed, as that arrangement of folders and other things called Documents has been there from day one .)

Answer 3

It is possible to delete these folders so you do not need to see them again. The appear to be original folders that are no longer used.

You will want to move the OneDrive link and Adobe to another folder or delete them.

Right-click on the folder.

Click on the Delete folder. If you do not see it, click on the Show More options.

You should now see the delete button. Click on it.

Click Yes.

Now the files will be deleted.

Best Wishes,

Cindy

Answer 4

I've attempted to delete the two lower folders:

but they remain displayed in File Explorer, even after rebooting. If I click on the first I get this ominous message:

and if I click on the second I get a very similar message (with my userid in the path).

However, that's the secondary problem. I'm still exactly where I was when I opened this question, in that I still need to expand both of the following:

in order to display my folders in the left pane.

Can I please have some effective advice on resolving these problems, including the original one I raised and the new one that has now appeared?

Answer 5

enter ↓ in the address bar

□ Documents --- Documents Library shell:DocumentsLibrary

　□ Documents --- User Documents Folder shell:Personal

　□ Public Documents --- Common Documents Folder shell:Common Documents

　□ Documents --- OneDrive Documents Folder shell:Onedrive\Documents

Windows Libraries - Windows Client Management | Microsoft Learn