Win10 - Accidentally moved my downloads folder to D:, can't seem to revert or change












2















I like my downloads folder to be moved from C:UsersJoeDownloads to D:Downloads. I recently reformatted my PC and accidentally set the new location as D:.



I can't see to either revert this change or change the location of downloads to D:Downloads! The C:UsersJoeDownloads folder still exists because I can't create a folder with that name in the Joe folder, however I can't see it!



If I try to move the location of D: to D:Downloads that also does not work (not that I expected it to)!










share|improve this question



























    2















    I like my downloads folder to be moved from C:UsersJoeDownloads to D:Downloads. I recently reformatted my PC and accidentally set the new location as D:.



    I can't see to either revert this change or change the location of downloads to D:Downloads! The C:UsersJoeDownloads folder still exists because I can't create a folder with that name in the Joe folder, however I can't see it!



    If I try to move the location of D: to D:Downloads that also does not work (not that I expected it to)!










    share|improve this question

























      2












      2








      2








      I like my downloads folder to be moved from C:UsersJoeDownloads to D:Downloads. I recently reformatted my PC and accidentally set the new location as D:.



      I can't see to either revert this change or change the location of downloads to D:Downloads! The C:UsersJoeDownloads folder still exists because I can't create a folder with that name in the Joe folder, however I can't see it!



      If I try to move the location of D: to D:Downloads that also does not work (not that I expected it to)!










      share|improve this question














      I like my downloads folder to be moved from C:UsersJoeDownloads to D:Downloads. I recently reformatted my PC and accidentally set the new location as D:.



      I can't see to either revert this change or change the location of downloads to D:Downloads! The C:UsersJoeDownloads folder still exists because I can't create a folder with that name in the Joe folder, however I can't see it!



      If I try to move the location of D: to D:Downloads that also does not work (not that I expected it to)!







      windows windows-10 folder-redirection






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked Feb 21 '16 at 11:23









      Joe ShanahanJoe Shanahan

      11315




      11315






















          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

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          2














          You'll need to edit the registry in this case, as you've moved it to the drive's root folder. In this case you can't restore it back using the Location tab.



          Open Regedit.exe and go to:



          HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders



          Double-click "{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}" and its value data to "%USERPROFILE%Downloads". Also ensure the value is of type REG_EXPAND_SZ if you're inputting an expandable/environment string in there.
          (Windows 10 User Shell Folders)






          share|improve this answer
























          • I actually had to do this in 3 places! User Shell Folders/ and Shell Folders/ (2 registries in here!). After that I was able to move the folder but I still had an issue: The new downloads folder was hidden and a system folder so I couldn't navigate to it normally. Had to do attrib -r "D:Downloads" -s -h in a command prompt and then attrib -r "D:Downloads" +s to give it the download folder icon back :)

            – Joe Shanahan
            Feb 21 '16 at 15:44













          • The "shell folders" is obsolete, and programs no longer use it, and it updates automatically according to USF values.

            – Win32Guy
            Feb 21 '16 at 16:03



















          0














          If you want to move your Downloads (a System folder) to another location where Windows recognise it as the preferred destination (e.g. for Edge downloads). Open This PC folder and spot the Downloads folder (it might be collapsed under the 'Folders' group above the 'Devices and drives' group).



          Right click on Downloads folder, pick 'Properties'. From the dialogue box, pick the tab 'Location' and there you can set it to D:Downloads. Confirm your changes.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Unfortunately that does not work: i.imgur.com/f5B1ZSM.png. If I try to set it back to default I get access denied error!

            – Joe Shanahan
            Feb 21 '16 at 12:03













          • Is your account an administrator? Are the folders (new and original) empty? It's better to work without any file in both folders. This dialogue box simplify the process better than editing the Registry

            – Sanny
            Feb 21 '16 at 14:08





















          0














          If you need to separate the files that were previously in Downloads folder from the C:UsersJoe (because they are merged now), you can sort data by Date Accessed and you will see the date in which the Download files were moved to the new folder.






          share|improve this answer

































            -1














            I was searching for this and the acceptable answer didn't work so, but after more research I found this one:
            In the original location of the Downloads folder there should be a D:...



            Right Click on it like you are going to change the location and select Restore Default.



            When asked if you want to copymove files select NO... or it will fail...



            This will put Downloads back where it was without the files...



            Now you can change Location back to D: like you had planned, after adding a Download folder...



            Once this is done just cut and paste the actual downloads that are supposed to be there into it.
            here's the link:
            https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/accidentally-moved-my-download-folder-to-d-how-to/8d226529-4da4-4275-b515-2df17b9fdf48






            share|improve this answer























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              4 Answers
              4






              active

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              4 Answers
              4






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              2














              You'll need to edit the registry in this case, as you've moved it to the drive's root folder. In this case you can't restore it back using the Location tab.



              Open Regedit.exe and go to:



              HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders



              Double-click "{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}" and its value data to "%USERPROFILE%Downloads". Also ensure the value is of type REG_EXPAND_SZ if you're inputting an expandable/environment string in there.
              (Windows 10 User Shell Folders)






              share|improve this answer
























              • I actually had to do this in 3 places! User Shell Folders/ and Shell Folders/ (2 registries in here!). After that I was able to move the folder but I still had an issue: The new downloads folder was hidden and a system folder so I couldn't navigate to it normally. Had to do attrib -r "D:Downloads" -s -h in a command prompt and then attrib -r "D:Downloads" +s to give it the download folder icon back :)

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 15:44













              • The "shell folders" is obsolete, and programs no longer use it, and it updates automatically according to USF values.

                – Win32Guy
                Feb 21 '16 at 16:03
















              2














              You'll need to edit the registry in this case, as you've moved it to the drive's root folder. In this case you can't restore it back using the Location tab.



              Open Regedit.exe and go to:



              HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders



              Double-click "{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}" and its value data to "%USERPROFILE%Downloads". Also ensure the value is of type REG_EXPAND_SZ if you're inputting an expandable/environment string in there.
              (Windows 10 User Shell Folders)






              share|improve this answer
























              • I actually had to do this in 3 places! User Shell Folders/ and Shell Folders/ (2 registries in here!). After that I was able to move the folder but I still had an issue: The new downloads folder was hidden and a system folder so I couldn't navigate to it normally. Had to do attrib -r "D:Downloads" -s -h in a command prompt and then attrib -r "D:Downloads" +s to give it the download folder icon back :)

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 15:44













              • The "shell folders" is obsolete, and programs no longer use it, and it updates automatically according to USF values.

                – Win32Guy
                Feb 21 '16 at 16:03














              2












              2








              2







              You'll need to edit the registry in this case, as you've moved it to the drive's root folder. In this case you can't restore it back using the Location tab.



              Open Regedit.exe and go to:



              HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders



              Double-click "{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}" and its value data to "%USERPROFILE%Downloads". Also ensure the value is of type REG_EXPAND_SZ if you're inputting an expandable/environment string in there.
              (Windows 10 User Shell Folders)






              share|improve this answer













              You'll need to edit the registry in this case, as you've moved it to the drive's root folder. In this case you can't restore it back using the Location tab.



              Open Regedit.exe and go to:



              HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders



              Double-click "{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}" and its value data to "%USERPROFILE%Downloads". Also ensure the value is of type REG_EXPAND_SZ if you're inputting an expandable/environment string in there.
              (Windows 10 User Shell Folders)







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Feb 21 '16 at 14:11









              Win32GuyWin32Guy

              7,31122434




              7,31122434













              • I actually had to do this in 3 places! User Shell Folders/ and Shell Folders/ (2 registries in here!). After that I was able to move the folder but I still had an issue: The new downloads folder was hidden and a system folder so I couldn't navigate to it normally. Had to do attrib -r "D:Downloads" -s -h in a command prompt and then attrib -r "D:Downloads" +s to give it the download folder icon back :)

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 15:44













              • The "shell folders" is obsolete, and programs no longer use it, and it updates automatically according to USF values.

                – Win32Guy
                Feb 21 '16 at 16:03



















              • I actually had to do this in 3 places! User Shell Folders/ and Shell Folders/ (2 registries in here!). After that I was able to move the folder but I still had an issue: The new downloads folder was hidden and a system folder so I couldn't navigate to it normally. Had to do attrib -r "D:Downloads" -s -h in a command prompt and then attrib -r "D:Downloads" +s to give it the download folder icon back :)

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 15:44













              • The "shell folders" is obsolete, and programs no longer use it, and it updates automatically according to USF values.

                – Win32Guy
                Feb 21 '16 at 16:03

















              I actually had to do this in 3 places! User Shell Folders/ and Shell Folders/ (2 registries in here!). After that I was able to move the folder but I still had an issue: The new downloads folder was hidden and a system folder so I couldn't navigate to it normally. Had to do attrib -r "D:Downloads" -s -h in a command prompt and then attrib -r "D:Downloads" +s to give it the download folder icon back :)

              – Joe Shanahan
              Feb 21 '16 at 15:44







              I actually had to do this in 3 places! User Shell Folders/ and Shell Folders/ (2 registries in here!). After that I was able to move the folder but I still had an issue: The new downloads folder was hidden and a system folder so I couldn't navigate to it normally. Had to do attrib -r "D:Downloads" -s -h in a command prompt and then attrib -r "D:Downloads" +s to give it the download folder icon back :)

              – Joe Shanahan
              Feb 21 '16 at 15:44















              The "shell folders" is obsolete, and programs no longer use it, and it updates automatically according to USF values.

              – Win32Guy
              Feb 21 '16 at 16:03





              The "shell folders" is obsolete, and programs no longer use it, and it updates automatically according to USF values.

              – Win32Guy
              Feb 21 '16 at 16:03













              0














              If you want to move your Downloads (a System folder) to another location where Windows recognise it as the preferred destination (e.g. for Edge downloads). Open This PC folder and spot the Downloads folder (it might be collapsed under the 'Folders' group above the 'Devices and drives' group).



              Right click on Downloads folder, pick 'Properties'. From the dialogue box, pick the tab 'Location' and there you can set it to D:Downloads. Confirm your changes.






              share|improve this answer
























              • Unfortunately that does not work: i.imgur.com/f5B1ZSM.png. If I try to set it back to default I get access denied error!

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 12:03













              • Is your account an administrator? Are the folders (new and original) empty? It's better to work without any file in both folders. This dialogue box simplify the process better than editing the Registry

                – Sanny
                Feb 21 '16 at 14:08


















              0














              If you want to move your Downloads (a System folder) to another location where Windows recognise it as the preferred destination (e.g. for Edge downloads). Open This PC folder and spot the Downloads folder (it might be collapsed under the 'Folders' group above the 'Devices and drives' group).



              Right click on Downloads folder, pick 'Properties'. From the dialogue box, pick the tab 'Location' and there you can set it to D:Downloads. Confirm your changes.






              share|improve this answer
























              • Unfortunately that does not work: i.imgur.com/f5B1ZSM.png. If I try to set it back to default I get access denied error!

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 12:03













              • Is your account an administrator? Are the folders (new and original) empty? It's better to work without any file in both folders. This dialogue box simplify the process better than editing the Registry

                – Sanny
                Feb 21 '16 at 14:08
















              0












              0








              0







              If you want to move your Downloads (a System folder) to another location where Windows recognise it as the preferred destination (e.g. for Edge downloads). Open This PC folder and spot the Downloads folder (it might be collapsed under the 'Folders' group above the 'Devices and drives' group).



              Right click on Downloads folder, pick 'Properties'. From the dialogue box, pick the tab 'Location' and there you can set it to D:Downloads. Confirm your changes.






              share|improve this answer













              If you want to move your Downloads (a System folder) to another location where Windows recognise it as the preferred destination (e.g. for Edge downloads). Open This PC folder and spot the Downloads folder (it might be collapsed under the 'Folders' group above the 'Devices and drives' group).



              Right click on Downloads folder, pick 'Properties'. From the dialogue box, pick the tab 'Location' and there you can set it to D:Downloads. Confirm your changes.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Feb 21 '16 at 11:43









              SannySanny

              1,3881815




              1,3881815













              • Unfortunately that does not work: i.imgur.com/f5B1ZSM.png. If I try to set it back to default I get access denied error!

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 12:03













              • Is your account an administrator? Are the folders (new and original) empty? It's better to work without any file in both folders. This dialogue box simplify the process better than editing the Registry

                – Sanny
                Feb 21 '16 at 14:08





















              • Unfortunately that does not work: i.imgur.com/f5B1ZSM.png. If I try to set it back to default I get access denied error!

                – Joe Shanahan
                Feb 21 '16 at 12:03













              • Is your account an administrator? Are the folders (new and original) empty? It's better to work without any file in both folders. This dialogue box simplify the process better than editing the Registry

                – Sanny
                Feb 21 '16 at 14:08



















              Unfortunately that does not work: i.imgur.com/f5B1ZSM.png. If I try to set it back to default I get access denied error!

              – Joe Shanahan
              Feb 21 '16 at 12:03







              Unfortunately that does not work: i.imgur.com/f5B1ZSM.png. If I try to set it back to default I get access denied error!

              – Joe Shanahan
              Feb 21 '16 at 12:03















              Is your account an administrator? Are the folders (new and original) empty? It's better to work without any file in both folders. This dialogue box simplify the process better than editing the Registry

              – Sanny
              Feb 21 '16 at 14:08







              Is your account an administrator? Are the folders (new and original) empty? It's better to work without any file in both folders. This dialogue box simplify the process better than editing the Registry

              – Sanny
              Feb 21 '16 at 14:08













              0














              If you need to separate the files that were previously in Downloads folder from the C:UsersJoe (because they are merged now), you can sort data by Date Accessed and you will see the date in which the Download files were moved to the new folder.






              share|improve this answer






























                0














                If you need to separate the files that were previously in Downloads folder from the C:UsersJoe (because they are merged now), you can sort data by Date Accessed and you will see the date in which the Download files were moved to the new folder.






                share|improve this answer




























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  If you need to separate the files that were previously in Downloads folder from the C:UsersJoe (because they are merged now), you can sort data by Date Accessed and you will see the date in which the Download files were moved to the new folder.






                  share|improve this answer















                  If you need to separate the files that were previously in Downloads folder from the C:UsersJoe (because they are merged now), you can sort data by Date Accessed and you will see the date in which the Download files were moved to the new folder.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Sep 7 '18 at 1:10

























                  answered Sep 7 '18 at 0:41









                  user941513user941513

                  11




                  11























                      -1














                      I was searching for this and the acceptable answer didn't work so, but after more research I found this one:
                      In the original location of the Downloads folder there should be a D:...



                      Right Click on it like you are going to change the location and select Restore Default.



                      When asked if you want to copymove files select NO... or it will fail...



                      This will put Downloads back where it was without the files...



                      Now you can change Location back to D: like you had planned, after adding a Download folder...



                      Once this is done just cut and paste the actual downloads that are supposed to be there into it.
                      here's the link:
                      https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/accidentally-moved-my-download-folder-to-d-how-to/8d226529-4da4-4275-b515-2df17b9fdf48






                      share|improve this answer




























                        -1














                        I was searching for this and the acceptable answer didn't work so, but after more research I found this one:
                        In the original location of the Downloads folder there should be a D:...



                        Right Click on it like you are going to change the location and select Restore Default.



                        When asked if you want to copymove files select NO... or it will fail...



                        This will put Downloads back where it was without the files...



                        Now you can change Location back to D: like you had planned, after adding a Download folder...



                        Once this is done just cut and paste the actual downloads that are supposed to be there into it.
                        here's the link:
                        https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/accidentally-moved-my-download-folder-to-d-how-to/8d226529-4da4-4275-b515-2df17b9fdf48






                        share|improve this answer


























                          -1












                          -1








                          -1







                          I was searching for this and the acceptable answer didn't work so, but after more research I found this one:
                          In the original location of the Downloads folder there should be a D:...



                          Right Click on it like you are going to change the location and select Restore Default.



                          When asked if you want to copymove files select NO... or it will fail...



                          This will put Downloads back where it was without the files...



                          Now you can change Location back to D: like you had planned, after adding a Download folder...



                          Once this is done just cut and paste the actual downloads that are supposed to be there into it.
                          here's the link:
                          https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/accidentally-moved-my-download-folder-to-d-how-to/8d226529-4da4-4275-b515-2df17b9fdf48






                          share|improve this answer













                          I was searching for this and the acceptable answer didn't work so, but after more research I found this one:
                          In the original location of the Downloads folder there should be a D:...



                          Right Click on it like you are going to change the location and select Restore Default.



                          When asked if you want to copymove files select NO... or it will fail...



                          This will put Downloads back where it was without the files...



                          Now you can change Location back to D: like you had planned, after adding a Download folder...



                          Once this is done just cut and paste the actual downloads that are supposed to be there into it.
                          here's the link:
                          https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/accidentally-moved-my-download-folder-to-d-how-to/8d226529-4da4-4275-b515-2df17b9fdf48







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Jan 3 at 23:46









                          Joao BenevidesJoao Benevides

                          1




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