Please Help! Multiple Desktops, Separate Paths, Same Account

Hey All,

I'm hoping someone here can help me - I'll try and be specific as I can, however though I generally know my way around a computer I'm by no means an expert.

I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium, 32-bit SP1

Okay. Onto the problem. Somehow I've managed to create two (or more?) desktops (not just shortcut icons or copies). I don't know How, or When, so experimenting with "restore" times is kind of a moot point.

One I assume is at the regular path, accessible through "my computer" on the left hand side under "folders". I can't get it's exact path because if I right-click on it and go to "properties" it opens up "Control Panel>Personalization". Opening the "desktop" via that path shows the icons/shortcuts I currently have on my "visual desktop". ("Visual Desktop = the desktop I see on my screen). If I add a new folder to my "Visual Desktop", this is where it shows up, not in any of the following locations.

Another one is accessible through my user account name after I open up "computer" under desktop (path: C:\Users\*username). The files shown here are various shortcuts, none of which are actually on my "visual desktop".

Yet another one - the one that brought this entire problem to my attention - is accessible under my videos folder. Anyway, if I open the "Desktop" via this path, it shows one shortcut as well as one folder, both of which are on my "visual desktop".

This whole problem came to my attention when I was attempting to delete a folder in my videos. Obviously I can't delete it the typical way (right-click, delete) because my "desktop" is in use...I also tried removing the directory in command prompt (accessed through the start menu), though I'm not sure why since my desktop is still obviously "in use". (That was a Duh moment). Command prompt didn't come up with an error (file is in use/not accessbile) but simply didn't remove it.

I've thought about booting up in DOS and deleting it that way, however I'm concerned for two reasons:
1) Is this seriously going to mess up Vista/My desktop? and
2) Assuming DOS is successful and doesn't screw up Vista/Desktop: If I've (somehow, unknowingly) altered the default path for "Desktop" will I ultimately re-create the desktop icon in my videos folder the next time I add/alter my desktop?

So, my ultimate questions are;
1) How do I ensure the desktop path is correct (and what IS the correct path?)?
2) Is there a different way to go about deleting the "desktop" in my videos folder, other than DOS? and if not:
3) What are the chances I'm going to screw up my system?

I *really* don't want to reinstall Windows as a solution unless absolutely necessary.

Anyways, thanks for bearing with me in this super-long post. I've tried to be as detailed as possible but if you need more information just let me know.

Hello Lara,

First off, I had to report the post for personal info, as well as the movie listing. If you don't remove it, a mod will.

Second, you mentioned a second desktop. I am a little confused. Do you mean that you literally have a second desktop location? I know that the desktop is located under your user name, for example C:\Users\Lordbob75\Desktop.

There might also be another location, but it is under system files I believe. Can you describe your problem a little better perhaps?

We appreciate the amount of info given in this post though.

As for a solution, try putting in your Vista disk and clicking "Repair"" This is NOT a reinstall, it merely fixes registry errors. This might clear some of that up.

~Lordbob

lordbob75 said:

Hello Lara,

...you mentioned a second desktop. I am a little confused. Do you mean that you literally have a second desktop location? I know that the desktop is located under your user name, for example C:\Users\Lordbob75\Desktop.

There might also be another location, but it is under system files I believe. Can you describe your problem a little better perhaps?

We appreciate the amount of info given in this post though.

As for a solution, try putting in your Vista disk and clicking "Repair"" This is NOT a reinstall, it merely fixes registry errors. This might clear some of that up.

~Lordbob

Click to expand...

Hi Lordbob,

I hate to sound dense, but what information do you need to help me further? I can spout off a lot of random info, but it probably won't help

As far as I can tell, yes I have (at least) two separate desktops. There's the "proper one", accessible through "Computer". The files and information accessed this way is the information I have on the desktop I see.

As far as the other one goes (the "desktop" icon in my videos folder) it doesn't contain any files. It's just the icon, which I can't get rid of because the file is "in use".

Each of the above "desktops" have separate paths and separate information/files.

Hope this helps.
Lara

Hey Everyone...

Okay..so somehow I managed to delete the "desktop" that was in my videos folder...however if I attempt to put something on my actual desktop (the one I see) such as a shortcut or new folder, the "desktop" in my videos folder comes right back...

Anyone? I'm stumped. All I can figure is somehow the default path for my desktop has been changed. I don't know how, when, or why. If anyone can help I'd appreciate it SO much!

Thanks,
Lara.

Ok that cleared it up a little. You have another folder named desktop in your videos folder? Weird...

Try http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html

~Lordbob

Lordbob,

Thank you for your suggestions. I tried the repair and ownership to no avail, however found a way to restore the default desktop path. This seems to be doing the trick.

Thanks again,
Trish.

Lara, make sure you post the solution here, so others can learn.

~Lordbob

Solution to Multiple Desktop Folders

1) Go into the folder with the desktop icon
2) Right click on the desktop icon
3) Select Properties
4) Click on the "Location" tab
5) Choose to "Restore Default"
6) Ensure you choose to merge/move all the files in that desktop icon with your new default location.

Enjoy your new desktop

lararae said:

Solution to Multiple Desktop Folders

1) Go into the folder with the desktop icon
2) Right click on the desktop icon
3) Select Properties
4) Click on the "Location" tab
5) Choose to "Restore Default"
6) Ensure you choose to merge/move all the files in that desktop icon with your new default location.

Enjoy your new desktop

Click to expand...

Aha I should have thought of that. Good job. Thanks for posting it.

~Lordbob