Windows 10: Organizing Windows, help needed to correct bad folder structure , Administrator and User...

Hello, I need to organize Windows properly. I think my issue needs a paid support service, but Microsoft has buried how you find that on its support pages. So, any input from more learned fellow users would be greatly appreciated. I would like help in correcting a bad folder/file structure that I have copied from successive computers. I have a hunch about how to correct the problem it goes back decades and would like confirmation if this is the right approach. I now have a new computer HP laptop, Win 11 and need to copy over to it the contents of my old computer Samsung laptop, Win

:)

 

folder structure of /users/... and relation to OneDrive

Some new installations of Windows 10 do not have folder in the /users/%username%/ folder or have only 1 or a few of the standard structure of 'backups, desktop, documents, downloads, pictures, music, video'. but the OneDrive folder structure is complete
for more so. The OneDrive/documents is populated with files, but the c:/users/documents/ has no files, The 'Quick Access' list is compete and properly populated. Shall I generate the file structure in the /users/%username%/ folder? Any good articles?

Thanks. Howard

 

Windows 10 File and Folder Structure

I want to reorganize the files and file structure on my Surface desktop computer and have several rather disjointed questions. My basic knowledge of file structure is based on the organization of the C drive from DOS. I don't have a typical office/windows
application in some respects, but I could make it work if I understood where things were stored and why. I need to be able to include atypical locations, files and folders in backups. I thought I'd ask some very basic questions, understand the answers and
be able to follow-up with more specific questions. I hope someone can help me through this learning process, please. I am the sole user of this computer and the administrator, although I also have a user account but find it confusing in some situations.

1. Where can I find an example of the original Windows structure - as in a newly installed product? I also have Office 365 so understanding where it fits in the file structure is necessary.

2. Looking at the installed configuration, I saw several folders listed first - documents, downloads, music, pictures. In exploring my C:\ drive, I see a few unnecessary folders and one that says Users. Clicking on Users, I see other folders and have
another folder listed User. Selecting that folder gives me a long list of folders on my C:\ drive including documents, downloads, music, pictures which appear to have different locations from the first level of folders. It is likely I created this confusion
and it does complicate backups and sometimes restores. Furthermore, I don't need all of these levels and it creates more confusion when saving stuff.

3. I have 1TB of internal storage. When I change the default location saving files and move existing files/folders to external drives, my storage space remains the same, dangerously full. How do I get the system to restore the space.

I realize this is confusing - at least to me. Is there a Microsoft book (online or hardcopy) you can suggest for me to understand these issues and how to reorganize my harddrive? I'm an old woman and just need some basic understanding to make this work.
Thanks for any help from anyone!

 

Error Access Denied while acessing the folders from User> AppData folders on Windows 10

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for posting. We appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand the inconvenience you are facing with access files and folders.

Do let us know the complete error code/ error message of this issue?

As you have tried with providing the permissions to each folder and issue persists after the restart, try the below and check if it helps.

Step 1: Try to disable the third party anti-virus software if installed any and check.

Step 2: As, as a work around, I suggest you to enable the built-in administrator account and check if this issue persists.

Steps to enable Built-in administrator.

• • Press Windows + X key together on your desktop screen.
  • Click on Command Prompt (admin) to open Command Prompt.
    
  • Type the following command and hit Enter:

• net user administrator /active: yes (Check for the spaces)

　　　4. Now log off from the current user and try to login to the administrator account that is enabled.　　

Note: Please follow the same steps and type net user administrator /active: no to disable admin account after the troubleshooting is done.　

Step 3: I suggest you to refer to the below Microsoft article with 3-diffrent issues related to accessing the files and folders and check if it helps.

"Access Denied" or other errors when you access or work with files and folders in Windows

(Applies to Windows 10 as well)

Hope this information helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of the issue to assist you further.