Windows 10: Duplicate Folders in Documents Folder

Somehow my wife's laptop a Dell Laptop running an up-to-date Windows 10 OS has gotten 2 same-named folders Very Active with important data in her Documents folder. I've tried several things to fix by deleting 1 of the duplicate folders, moving files , etc. but nothing has worked. We'd appreciate any help you can supply!

:)

 

Downloads folder is the Documents folder

Hi Chris,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to Restore to Default the folders and document settings and see if it helps.

Step 1:

Please follow below steps and check if it helps.

• Go to Download folder.
• Right click on the Download Folder and go to Properties.
• In Properties go to Location tab.
• In location Tab Click on Restore Default.

Step 2:

Please follow below steps and check if it helps.

• Go to Documents folder.
• Right click on the Document folder and go to Properties.
• In Properties go to Location tab.
• In location Tab Click on Restore Default.

After performing above steps change the settings as you required and check if it helps.

Hope these information helps, please get back to us for future support, we’ll be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Duplicate Documents Folders

Hi Batya,

Conflicts with the OneDrive settings on your computer is one of the possible reasons why you have duplicate document folders. For us to assist you better, kindly answer the following questions:

• Have you made any changes to your computer prior to this issue?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• Which Version and OS Build number of Windows 10 is currently installed? To check, press the Windows key, type winver, and press the Enter key.

Meanwhile, you can try unlinking your OneDrive from your computer and re-activate it under a new and empty folder on your hard drive after you restart your device.

Regards.

 

Duplicate Public Folders

Hope this helps someone identify the problem.

• Q: What happens when you delete the duplicate folders?
• A: Nothing. They're successfully deleted.

• Q: Does it happen to all of your folders or only those with pictures?
  • A: Only the default Public Folders (Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos).
  • A: All of the Public Folders have customized folder icons.
  • A: The above image shows yellow, empty folder icons (duplicates).

• Q: Any steps you've tried to troubleshoot this issue?
  • Actually, this has been a problem since Windows 7.
  • What I noticed then is that certain Windows programs created the duplicates:
    • Windows Media Player (stopped using)
    • Internet Explorer (stopped using)
    • Plus others, which I can't recall.
  • Only certain programs for Windows 10, as well:
    • Microsoft Edge (don't use it often)
      
    • Groove Music (never intentionally use it)
      
    • Plus others, which I haven't tracked.
      • I only notice it when I go to Public Folders.
      • By then, I've long since forgotten what was accessed.
  • I've googled for answers but most of those only address
    moving the Public Folders to another Drive.