Vista - Two Desktop icons in my user folder

Hi,

I've got a problem where there's 2 desktop icons in my user folder. Neither of them are shortcuts. Should I open the 1st desktop icon, it shows all the folders that are on my desktop. The 2nd desktop icon however when opened would show another desktop icon, which in turn would show my desktop folders when opened.

I've tried regedit.exe.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

Before: C:\Users\Jo\Desktop\Desktop
After: C:\Users\Jo\Desktop

I still get 2 desktop icons after restarting...

I've also tried System restore, didn't work as I defrag it then, hoping that it would help solve the problem


Can anyone please help?

Click on my computer.
Click on folder options.
Click on tools.
Click on View.
Under hidden files and folders select Do not show hidden files and folders.
Ensure there i a tick in Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).

Have these icons now disapeard.

Yes, there's still 2 desktop icons - they're both clear, not the 'watermark' kind when it's a hidden file

Hello
I had the exact same problem as you. I tried to google the solution, but only found your question. So I had to figure out how to fix it on my own. I posted the solution below. I hope someone will find it useful.

#1 Move all files off of desktop to prevent accidental deletion.

#2 Go inside your user folder. You will find a folder named desktop.

#3 Right click on desktop folder then click properties.

#4 Click on the location tab. Then click restore defaults.

#5 A dialog box will then ask you if you want to move all the files from the old location to the new location. Click no.

#6 Move all your files that you moved from the desktop back to the desktop.

That should fix the problem.