On a fresh install, the content of 'C:\Users\UserName' and
'Desktop\UserName' appear identical -- user shell folders and, if you're
showing hidden/system files, various NTUSER.DAT files & compatibility
junction points. However, if you opt to relocate some of the shell folders
via the 'Move' button on the 'Location' tab, and accept the option to move
all contents so that the original folder is deleted, you will notice that
the shell folders still appear under 'Desktop\UserName' but not
'C:\Users\UserName'.
The reason for this is that 'Desktop\UserName' is a namespace folder
designed to show the contents of 'C:\Users\UserName' AND the user shell
folders, regardless of their location.
The easiest way to avoid seeing NTUSER.DAT and other clutter is to not show
hidden/system files -- but you probably already knew that and, like me,
prefer seeing everything that's there. You can clean up the look of
'Desktop\UserName' so that it only shows shell folders and not the contents
of 'C:\Users\UserName' by doing the following:
Start Search -> regedit<Enter>
Navigate to:
"HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UsersFiles\NameSpace\DelegateFolders"
Export this key so you have a way to undo this modification, then delete the
'DelegateFolders' key.
As for the duplicate Documents folder, in the Start Search box on the Start
menu, type:
shell
ersonal
click in the Breadcrumbs bar to see the actual path of the folder that Vista
thinks is your Documents folder. If it's your 'D:\Doubleface\Documents'
folder, great -- you should be able to delete C:\users\doubleface\Documents
without problem. If 'C:\...\Documents' opens, use the 'Move' button on the
'Location' tab to point it at 'D:\...\Documents', accept the option to move
all files as the will also delete the 'C:\...\Documents' folder.
I think the inability to delete the five tab Contacts folder is probalbly
just a permissions issue -- search Help & Support for 'take ownership'.
--
Good Luck,
Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
"Doubleface" <Doubleface@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:39752BA4-8C0A-4B68-8387-B8AB7A8D0EF1@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have the exact same problem, but still can't solve it. I installed Vista
> RC1 into C:\ partition, but I want to store my personal files on D:\
> partition so when I reinstall Windows I wouldn't have to copy all of them.
>
> So I created D:\Doubleface folder and all those Pictures, Music, ...
> folders
> within. Then I changed the location of all those folders from
> c:\Users\Doubleface\... to D:\Doubleface\... and merged them. At first,
> everything looked allright except that the Doubleface icon on the desktop
> still pinpointed to C:\Users\Doubleface.
>
> Later, duplicate folders started popping up in C:\Users\Doubleface. What
> the
> reason for that?! Should I just delete them and thats it or am I doing sth
> wrong? 
because some of those folders delete, but contacts (with 5 tabs,
> the fake one) won't delete. I also see .gtk-bookmarks and ntuser.dat files
> ,
> which is very annoying..
>
> so, is there some clean and easy solution to all this mess?
>
> "Valek Hawke" wrote:
>
>> I changed the location of the default Documents folder to a separate HDD.
>> I
>> accepted the prompt about merging the two locations or whatnot; However,
>> when
>> I open up my Home folder (C:\Users\Brian) there are two documents folders
>> displayed. The Shell folder (I believe) which points to the above path,
>> and
>> the one that was apparently created when I changed the location to D:\ .
>> Can
>> I hide, or get rid of the folder that is not being used? Will doing so
>> like
>> recreate the disaster at Cherynobyl only in the Northeast US?
>>
>> This really is nothing more than a nuisance as I can tell at a glance
>> which
>> one is which, and the Documents folder in the favorites section points to
>> the
>> correct location, but I guess it's more of an OCD type thing. In my mind
>> there should be only ONE Documents folder.
>>
>> Thank You All So Much for your help...
>> --
>> UNTIL it blows up I think I can fix it. IF it blows up I didn''''''''t
>> touch
>> it!