Multiple documents folders

Question

I am so confused by the number of Documents folders on my computer. In the Users folder under my name are two, one that seems to have the files compressed, the other doesn't. Then under My PC is another Documents folder. I never know where things go when I am saving to Documents because I don't know which one a file is going to. So I waste time sifting through these three different folders.

And that doesn't even count the OneDrive documents folder. I have no idea which ones are going in there---all of the above or only the My PC ones?

HELP! Why can't there be just ONE documents folder??

Answer 1

Have I failed to explain anything that you've asked so far? I gave you a tutorial that explains everything needed to decide what to do with compression.

Remember that I'm not Microsoft, just someone trying my best to help you.

What folders are not Updated? Are you referring to OneDrive? OneDrive is only syncing Documents that you have shown me so far, it doesn't sync C and Users.

Again, more information is here about Folder protection backup which moves Documents, Pictures and/or Documents into Onedrive Folder:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn...

Answer 2

Hi Amy. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

The only Documents folder that should matter is the shell Documents folder which is signified by the icon of the document on it, and is located at C:\Users\Your Use Name along with all other shell User folders with the official icons on them.

Any others can be deleted after copying the files into the shell Documents folder, comparing them if they're duplicates to make sure you keep the latest version. Explorer will let you do this during the copy process when it finds duplicates.

You mentioned Onedrive Documents folder. You can move the official shell Documents, Pictures and Desktop folders into OneDrive to backup and sync in real time to the cloud where they're safe from ransomware, theft and fire. See here how to do this if you want: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn...

Once you have this all sorted out if there stlll remains Documents folders in the Explorer bar on left, you can right click to Remove them after copying their files into shell Documents folder, then delete them entirely if they bother you further. Sometimes if you move your User folders to another drive or into Onedrive, an app which is badly coded may recreate your default Documents folder to place itself in there. But otherwise there should not be extra Documents folders except at C:\Users\Public which has a set of folders for easy sharing on your network if you want that. These can be ignored but not deleted.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

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Answer 3

Which folder in the User profile hasn't been updated since 2018?

Can I see a screenshot of the folder with the arrow and orange circle? Here's how to create and attach a screenshot in your reply: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/o...

Are you seeing the Onedrive sync icons on the folder and the files inside? These are pictured here along with what each one means:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what...

Answer 4

And I just looked at the Users section, and it hasn't been updated since 2018 for most part. I remain confused. Why do some documents go there and others don't?

Answer 5

Thanks, Greg. I will take a look and see if I can figure this out. One thing that confuses me is that the Documents folder in the User/username folder has folders and files with the two blue arrows in the upper right of the file/folder icon and a little orange circle in the bottom left of the icons. So what does that mean? I don't see it on the the other Documents folders on either OneDrive or on the My PC section.

I do back up to OneDrive, and some folders are ONLY in OneDrive because I don't want them filling up my hard drive.

Thanks again,

Amy