Windows 10: Strange "???????????" Folder

This folder appeared for awhile. I don't know how it came up. Somehow it only can be seen when you are trying to pick a folder to install a program. I don't know what is it, but is it a threat? And how do I remove it? If someone can answer those questions, I would be really thankful.

:)

 

Quick Access not searching Pictures folder

Summary, that last suggestion didn't work.

• I moved the pictures to another folder temporarily.

• Then I tried to remove the Pictures folder with option one at Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials. Even after rebooting, the Pictures folder remained.
• So I tried using option two. Same thing: reboot >> Pictures folder still there.

• Since there were no troubleshooting steps for this scenario, just for the heck of it, I ran through the restore steps. Copied some pictures into the Pictures folder, ran a Quick Access search and initial problem remains: Searching all of QA doesn't find any files in Pictures folder, running search on just the Pictures folder does. I want to run a global search and find matching files in any/all of the Documents, Music, Videos, and Pictures folders.

That article dates from 2015 and I'm guessing is out of date. I hope it didn't create potential future problems in my registry.

Bottom line: I'm still looking for a fix.

 

Strange folder appears listed under desktop

I think you're fine. I think you've just noticed the UsersFilesFolder , a virtual folder ( like Network, This PC, etc. ) that seems to mirror the contents of the user's profile folder.

Quick Test:

• In the EXplorer Address bar or a Run dialog, type: shell:UsersFilesFolderEnter

If that command opens the same folder you juist noticed, everything is fine.

It's normally always visible when viewing the rooted Desktop in Explorer:






It has this special icon:




The icon can be shown or hidden on the Desktop via:

• Settings >Personalization > Themes and clicking the Desktop icons settings link

 

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.