Duplicate Documents Folders

[Graeme]

Hello Loungers

Could anyone tell me please why I have one version of a Documents folder in Windows Explorer in "This PC\Documents" and another in "C:\Users\Graeme\Documents". The first instance is preferable and I originally thought is the only one I have. Some programmes see both locations but some only see the C:\Users version. The problem is further compounded because the two Documents' sub folders don't match which makes it difficult to find files at times.

Lost Files This PC.png

Lost Files Users.png

Thanks

Regards

Graeme

[HansV]

What do you see if you enter

C:\Users\Public\Pictures

in the address bar of File Explorer and press Enter?

[Graeme]

"This PC\T131325 (C:)\Users\Public\Public Pictures"

This folder is empty.

[HansV]

Thanks, that rules out one possibility. Hopefully a Windows expert can shine a light on this problem.

[Graeme]

Thanks Hans

It wasn't a problem until I started using APT (Astrophotography Tool) and GIMP (Graphical Image Manipulation Programme). They default to the Users\Graeme\Documents option.

Regards

Graeme

[jolas]

This may be helpful.

[BobH]

Perhaps I misunderstand. Are the pathnames the same or different? Starting with the drive letter (C:) and all that follows, if they are the same there does indeed seem to be an anomaly; but if they differ then I don't see that there is one as 'higher' entries in a directory hierarchy allow one to use the same directory and file names used elsewhere under differing pathnames.

[Graeme]

This may be helpful.

Thanks Jolas.

That looks like a similar scenario but I don't have 3D Objects and I'm not keen to mess with the registry. The problem is recent I think. I'm fairly sure the Users/Graeme/Documents option wasn't always there. I've had my laptop for 6 years now!

Regards

Graeme

[Graeme]

Perhaps I misunderstand. Are the pathnames the same or different? Starting with the drive letter (C:) and all that follows, if they are the same there does indeed seem to be an anomaly; but if they differ then I don't see that there is one as 'higher' entries in a directory hierarchy allow one to use the same directory and file names used elsewhere under differing pathnames.

The paths are different and appear to be to two different locations both called Documents. There's a Documents folder under This PC and there's another Documents folder at C:\Users\Graeme\Documents.

Regards

Graeme

[JoeP]

On my system the contents of both "Documents" folders are the same. When I look at the sharing tab on the properties of each folder the network path is the same. This should mean it is the same folder. The folder under "This PC" is a redirection to the real folder under the user.

[DaveA]

If you have any file sharing turned on, then some of the added ones may be from another computer that you are sharing files with.

[BobH]

One can have multiple directories (Folders) and files with the same name if they are in different paths. Documents folder is no different than any other as that is not a reserved or special name, to my knowledge.

[jolas]

To the right of the headers in detail view is a filter option to view subset of files in the folder.
Could this be enabled on one of the header other than the Name header?

Filtering.jpg

[Graeme]

On my system the contents of both "Documents" folders are the same. When I look at the sharing tab on the properties of each folder the network path is the same. This should mean it is the same folder. The folder under "This PC" is a redirection to the real folder under the user.

Bizarre! I just looked at the sharing tab on the properties of the "This PC" Documents folder and found this:

Capture.PNG

I can reset the location but I will do a back up of the files first. I have no idea how that got there!

If you have any file sharing turned on, then some of the added ones may be from another computer that you are sharing files with.

I have a PC in the garage that I use to control my telescope and astro camera. But there is no file sharing, I use a portable hard drive.

One can have multiple directories (Folders) and files with the same name if they are in different paths. Documents folder is no different than any other as that is not a reserved or special name, to my knowledge.

I too remember when they were called directories! :)

To the right of the headers in detail view is a filter option to view subset of files in the folder.
Could this be enabled on one of the header other than the Name header?

I didn't know about that, thanks. But no, the drop down lists are different and none of the options are ticked in either.

Thank you all very much. Hopefully, JoeP's suggestion is will provide an answer. I'll go start a backup now.

Regardsd

Graeme

[HansV]

Ah - it's your OneDrive folder!

[Graeme]

This may be helpful.

Thanks Jolas.

That looks like a similar scenario but I don't have 3D Objects and I'm not keen to mess with the registry. The problem is recent I think. I'm fairly sure the Users/Graeme/Documents option wasn't always there. I've had my laptop for 6 years now!

Regards

Graeme

And it would appear that I do have 3D Objects after all!

[Graeme]

Ah - it's your OneDrive folder!

Ok, so I do already have it all backed up then. And it's called Documents Old.

Some further investigation required.

Glad I, sorry, you all got to the bottom of it. Thanks again.

Regards

Graeme