Windows 10: I did something really stupid with the Documents shortcut. need help

Both of my PCs got hacked awhile back, and I'm finally past that with my Desktop, Laptop is next, have formatted my drives, done clean install on Windows 10 Pro... Then I made a big boo-boo. I feel silly even posting to the forum, but I can't figure out how to fix it.

I always have a C drive for Windows and a D drive for my data. So after I install Windows, the first thing I do is modify the shortcuts for Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc. Then I do a restore of my data, create a restore point, and do a backup.

Well, when I changed the Documents properties, for the location I put 'D', instead of D:\Documents. Now the Documents Icon says 'D', and when you right click and look at properties, it looks like a hard drive. It looks exactly like Drive D looks.

I haven't restored any data yet, so Drive D is empty.
I'm attaching pics so you'll see exactly what I mean. I really hope it can be fixed, otherwise the only thing I know to do is reinstall Windows. And I'm soooo over messing with these computers.

Thanks for ANY help.
Here's a pic to demonstrate.






:)

 

I did something really stupid with the Documents shortcut. and need some help

Hi Pavan,

I did find a solution a few days ago. But your reply was very informative. I didn't know you could

"Use installation media to restore or reset your PC"

That was my problem, I hadn't created a restore point yet.

Thanks again for your help.

 

I did something really stupid with the Documents shortcut. and need some help

Hi,

System restore: This option takes your PC back to an earlier point in time, called a system restore point. Restore points are generated when you install a new app, driver, or Windows update, and when you
create a restore point manually. Restoring won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made.



Refer to the section “Use installation media to restore or reset your PC”
in the following article to perform a system restore:

Recovery options in Windows 10

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/windows-10-recovery-options



Disclaimer: Though it is said that System Restore does not affect your personal information such as email, documents, photos, videos, etc., but there is highly possible that some of your personal files are deleted while system
restoring.



During System Restore, there may be errors and such errors may cause damage to the files that are present in the system. And, computer shutdown during restoring process may also lead to file loss. Sometimes when System Restore is failed, it may lead
to loss of important files as well.



Hope the information helps, do reply if you need further assistance.



Thank you.

 

"I haven't restored any data yet, so Drive D is empty. "

If you just re-installed Windows and have not moved the backup data from your ext drives to the new D/should be Documents folder, yet, the easiest thing to do is to create a new User acct as another Admin (will have to be diff name than main acct). This one should have the correctly named Documents folder so named from the hidden Default User profile template. Verify this. Delete the account with the empty but incorrectly named folders. Reboot if you want to make the User name same as the orig, if preferred and do the shortcut destination properties correctly this time. *chuckle

 

Oh my dear friend. You're a lifesaver.
I've been so peeved at myself for doing it, I couldn't really get into 'solution' mode. Thanks a ton.
Now you promise me you'll have a great day. You've made mine a lot better. *Wink

 

No, you made it a lot easier by realizing your mistake before you copied gigs of backup data to some of the folders, in which case, you'd have to move all that data from the, about to be deleted User's folders, to the corresponding New User's folders. Do not forget that there are desktop items that need to be moved or copied over, if you've made changes there and, more than likely, not backed up before.

Please mark this thread solved, if, after testing, the issue is resolved to your satisfaction, so Others with the same issue can find your topic and solution more easily. Cheers

 

Worked like a charm. And I literally had only done two things before that stupid blunder. Installed ESET and Chrome. So my desktop only had the pic I took to attach to my post and 2 shortcuts.
I decided to keep the new user name. I've been using the same one on my desktop for eons. Thought maybe it would change my luck if I used a different one. Just to be safe, I left the old, bad user out there and that's just a bit of insurance in case I forgot something.

But your're right. At least I realized it early. Like - the instant I did it and clicked OK! Now I'm just getting Chrome up to speed with my addons then I'm going to restore.

Since both my laptop and desktop got hit by the hackers, I've still got the laptop to get cleaned up. But I've decided I'm going to have some fun with my PC for a week or so before tackling the laptop.

C Ya. And thanks again.

 

"I decided to keep the new user name."

Even easier ! Good to hear your problem was solved so quickly. Good Luck with the laptop. *092