Windows 10: Deleted Desktop through OneDrive

Hello, I have disabled OneDrive backups for about a year now due to issues opening files - because of this when I got around to clearing up space on my drive several days ago I deleted the C:\Users\<My user account>\OneDrive directory from my PC. After I did, I saw that my Desktop was entirely deleted! After some reading it appear that this is because that OneDrive folder contains the desktop's virtual location. None of these files are in the recycle bin of either OneDrive or my local machine. Is there any way to recover these files? I have tried a windows system restore from before the

:)

 

Deleted icons stay on desktop (not in desktop folder)

I can only suggest that you
1 Add a list of steps you have already taken.
2 Add a comment about restarting the computer. Do the deleted icons disappear then?
2 Add a comment explaining if any Desktop items do delete correctly and whether or not there are any significant differences between those that do delete correctly and those that don't.
3 Add a list of any OS tweaks you have done & any third-party OS-related utilities you have run.

I assume you have already reinstalled your display driver.
I don't see a Repair install as being relevant. Repair Install - TenForumsTutorials

Denis

 

Windows 10 - OneDrive

Right click on the app and one of the properties has an option to not automatically start it. Uncheck, restart the computer, and it should stop. If you want to go another step further, find the OneDrive app in the start menu, right click on it and uninstall.

If that is still insufficient, there is a batch uninstaller for OneDrive available online. I can copy the code here if you need it.

 

Deleted icons stay on desktop (not in desktop folder)

I'll answer those below in number order:
1 - Have refreshed the desktop, have run chkdsk, have run scannow, have tried to locate the desktop cache (unsure if it's still present in Windows 10), have tried locating these phantom icons in the desktop folder. All of these were completed with elevated administrator privileges.
2 - Have clearly restarted, many times. The icons do not delete and reappear, they just do not delete at all. Well, they go to the recycle bin as you can see from the original screen shot, but NEVER actually disappear from the desktop at all, it's like they leave a permanent shadow.
3 - Some icons have deleted correctly but I'm noticing that this is few and far between and I can't put my finger on why. Those that have been left behind include files (pdf, word, png), application shortcuts and folders.
4 - No OS tweaks or third party apps that have been run.
5 - Have not reinstalled the display driver yet. Could try that. Just using the onboard Intel graphics.

- - - Updated - - -

No Onedrive being used so nowhere cloud based that these icons should be living and hiding.