Photos folder missing

Question

Photos folder missing

Jack Anderson 20

Because I deleted some files in One Drive, my whole desktop got screwed-up. I've restored most of it but the Photos folder normally on the left column and Quick Access, is missing. How do I get it back on my computer?

Screenshot 2026-06-01 074333

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Answer 1

Jack Anderson 20

Well, have tried that 3 times. Nothing there. That's because I deleted everything from One Drive and stopped Sync. It was creating problems on my computer. Had no idea it would delete everything on my computer. I guess that included the Photos folder that used to be listed on the left under Documents and before Videos. As a result, I've spent the last 6 hours reconstructing my desktop. Had no idea One Drive was a carbon copy of my desktop. I'll just create a Photos folder on my desktop and use that. Not as convenient but doable.

Thank you.

EmilyS726 235.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-01T19:12:37.1866667+00:00

So, this is a Photos folder that lived in Pictures folder, not the Pictures folder itself you are talking about?

If so, then it can be gone. Your Desktop folder is now on local path, so if you created another Photos folder there, it shouldn't sync to OneDrive.

Your Pictures folder is still synced to OneDrive according to your registry. If you want to return your Pictures folder to local path, if Onedrive is running, go to OneDrive Settings > Sync and backup tab > MAnage backup, turn the Pictures folder off.

If OneDrive is already uninstalled, then in that registry editor on that page, right click on "My Pictures", modify, change the value data to:

%USERPROFILE%\Pictures

Then restart the computer.

Answer 2

EmilyS726 235.4K Independent Advisor

Please type regedit in the search on the taskbar to launch registry editor, and go to this path, then take a screenshot and share in your reply.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Jack Anderson 20 Reputation points

2026-06-01T16:09:57.7233333+00:00

The info requested, isn't there.

CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Here's what I get
EmilyS726 235.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-01T16:37:31.5833333+00:00

You can copy the entire path, and then paste it in the Registry address bar to get there. This is a standard registry item, it is very unlikely that it is not there.
Jack Anderson 20 Reputation points

2026-06-01T18:04:36.7366667+00:00

Here's what I got. I apologize for previous comment. Misunderstood it.

Answer 3

Jack Anderson 20

I'm not really interested in the photos, just the folder for them which is missing on my computer. If I want to download a photo/pic, where would it go if the Photos folder is missing?

EmilyS726 235.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-01T18:12:54.3266667+00:00

Thanks!

According to that screenshot, you should be able to find your Pictures folder by going this path:

File Explorer > This PC > C: > Users > Ander > OneDrive > Pictures.

Let me know if you can find it using this path? Also, can you tell me, do you want it nested in OneDrive, or do you want it to be directly under Ander folder?

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Photos folder missing

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