Windows 10: My This PC Download folder is the same and named as Desktop

It was a few years ago that Downloads and Desktop was its own separate folder, but I don't exactly remember what I did to accidentally sync them. I think I was trying to delete something, but I didn't know how, so I was clicking random things. But anyway, the problem is that they are named the same thing, when I click the Desktop Downloads folder from My PC it takes me to Desktop but shows me the files that are in downloads. But when I click on the actual Desktop folder, it shows me no files, even though I have files visible on my desktop. Could someone please help! Thank you!

:)

 

Desktop folder now named Downloads

This is how the problem arose:

1. I reformatted my HDD

2. I installed Windows 7

3. I upgraded to and installed Windows 10 cleanly

4. I was using Microsoft Edge to download drivers and programs and what not

5. I wanted to change the destination of downloads to the Desktop

6. I read a tutorial online that instructed me to use the function 'Find Target...' (Downloads > Properties > Location > Find Target...) to change the destination of downloads

7. Unfortunately, instead of using 'Find Target...' to change the destination of downloads, I used the function 'Move...' (Downloads > Properties > Location > Move...) and selected 'C:\Users\[username]\Desktop'

8. After selecting 'Apply' and then 'OK' I noticed that there were now two folders named 'Desktop' within the folder 'This PC'; The folder that was initially named 'Downloads' still had the Downloads icon, though it was now also named 'Desktop'

9. I tried using the function 'Move...' to remedy the issue by resetting the initial location of the 'Downloads' folder to its default location, to no avail.

10. Just now, after deciding to check this forum to see if I had received any responses to my comments, I rechecked the folder 'This PC' to find out that both folders, which were named 'Desktop', are now named 'Downloads'

11. I now have two 'Downloads' folders in 'This PC'

12. One of the folders has a Downloads icon, whereas the other has a Desktop icon

13. The location of both folders ('Downloads' with a Downloads icon and 'Downloads' with a desktop icon) is the same: 'C:\Users\[username]\Desktop'

I would like to restore the name of the 'Downloads' folder with a Desktop icon, which was initially named 'Desktop', to its default name: Desktop. However, even though the location of the folder is 'C:\Users\[username]\Desktop', the name of the folder
remains fixed as 'Downloads' and I am unable to edit it.













Any help would be greatly appreciated <3

 

Unable to delete a folder - Invalid folder name


Suggestion:

1. Run chkdsk x: /r to make sure that there's no HD corruption.
   x: is the drive containing the folder you want to delete.
2. Try to delete the folder again. If still does not work, go to step 3.
3. Download: Download - Linux Mint and create a bootable USB using: Rufus - Create bootable USB
4. Boot up with Linux Mint and try to delete the folder again.
   NOTE: Unlike WinPE. Linux does not have any Windows permission imposed to it so it is easier to delete.

 

Windows 10 desktop renamed "downloads"

Hi,

We appreciate you for being a part of Windows 10.

How did you exactly change the default folder for downloads to desktop? Is it through Internet explorer/through any other source?

As the issue started after setting the default folder for downloads to desktop, I suggest you to change the default folder for downloads to Download folder. (Follow the same procedure as you have did to change the default folder for downloads
to desktop)

You may try this steps and check if you are able to rename the folders names for desktop and downloads.

• 
  Press Windows + E keys on the keyboard to open Windows explorer.
  
• 
  Click on This pc on the left navigation pane.
  
• 
  Open the drive where Windows 10 is installed. (Ex: open C:/ drive if the Windows 10 is installed in c drive)
  
• 
  Click on Users and select
  user name. (user name is the user you have logged in to the computer at present)
  
• 
  Right click on Downloads folder and click on
  Rename and change to Desktop. (Do the same step for the Desktop folder also)
  

You may try to reset the view settings of the folders and check if it helps.

• 
  Press Windows + E keys on the keyboard to open File Explorer.
  
• 
  Click on the This PC on the left navigation pane.
  
• 
  Click on the View tab at the top of the File explorer window.
  
• 
  Click on Options and select
  Change folder and search options.
  
• 
  Navigate to the View tab in folder options window.
  
• 
  Click on Reset Folders. (Click on Yes if any dialog box prompted)
  
• 
  You may click on Restore defaults
  to restore the default settings for the folder.
  

I hope the above information helps. Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with the issue. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.