Windows 10: The same folder shows different content at the same time accessed from different paths

Hi there, By chance I discovered that the same folder named Thrends bulletins shows different items depending on the path I take to access it: - if I access the folder from the shortcut screenshot 1, it shows the correct amount of subfolders there is also the 2024_11 folder inside which is full of files but it does not show a new folder that I created yesterday- if I access the same folder from Documents screenshot 2, I can see the new folder I created yesterday 2024_12 but I do not see the 2024_11 and on top of this the 2024_10 folder contains half of the files it should contain. Ho

:)

 

Files accessibility differs when reaching a folder containing them, via different paths

Ok.

I am uploading a picture of the same folder, accessed from different path. I tried the most obvious way which excludes the chance existence of two users. So the main path is:

This PC > Windows (C > Users > user

at this point I went in one case ... > Desktop

and in the other case ... > Documents

Followed, in both cases by: ... > Business > Business

as you can see from the picture.

I have circled a folder created and saved, that actually is visible following one path but not following the other.

Also there are colour lines to point a couple of examples where two identical folders have different "last modified" dates.

I have also checked one folder where I was sure no modifications have been made and discovered that the content of such folder - no matter accessed from what path, is in fact identical but for the dates "last saved" which differ entirely in day, month, year,
time. It looks like if at certain point, accessing or saving a file or folder or sub-folder, via one path had become separate from accessing or saving after following a different path.

I have not created (consciously or willingly) two different folders that initially must have been identical, as two separate items (e.g. one is the copy of the other like in a back-up) and also this PC has one single user (me) with access to the folders/files.

I assume "Desktop" and "Documents" should not be two separate, non related, folders. But maybe something happened and a folder Desktop had been created (?)

 

Files accessibility differs when reaching a folder containing them, via different paths

Hi C, it does make sense (I had to read and re-read )

In fact, It seemed to me, too that the folders are replicated because if that were not the case, one folder would contain much less folders/files than the other (supposing one was created at the time of start working on the PC and the other created by replication
long after)

Also, Using the desktop shortcut always seems to point at one folder (possibly correct) while using "save as" not necessarily points always at the same folder because the option available are Quick Access folders, Desktop folders, Documents folders and in
some cases (excel) also Current folders, so that unless one knows where a certain folder or file had been accessed from, "saving as" option may point to one of the replicated folders.

So, confused as I am, it is possible that your diagnosis would be correct. I will go through the lengthy, boring, painful process you suggested and see if it works.

Tell me though if I am wrong: the theory is that I have folders/files in two different folders - Desktop and Documents - which are different from the default (those created initially) Desktop and Documents folders.

I have checked the creation dates of the most important folder (Business,
I called it BUSINESS to differentiate it from the folder Business in which it is contained) following the two different path and they are as follows:

This PC > Desktop > Business > BUSINESS (02/10/2015)

This PC > Documents > Business > BUSINESS (08/02/2018)

Users > user > Desktop > Business > BUSINESS (02/10/2015)

Users > user > Document > Business > BUSINESS (08/02:018)

Because both versions (2015 and 2018) contain lots of data, I think I have not only to copy the content of BUSINESS 2015 and BUSINESS 2018 on the external drive but have also to merge their contents as some folders and files will be present in one and not
in the other and viceversa

Also noticed that "Desktop" and "Documents" (checked by right-clicking) accessed from "This PC >" cannot be deleted (these may be the folders that Windows10 creates automatically) whilst they can be deleted from "C: > Users > user >"

May this new information mean that the two replicated versions can possibly be those in C: >Users > user ? in which case I could simply (backup first) delete these and then follow your steps, then merge the two versions (2015 and 2018) and then put it back
in either Desktop or Documents (the default Windows created Folders)?

Hope that my rant and convoluted reply are clear enough for you to confirm or amend. I am no longer frustrated but excited rather, thank to your patience and help

G

 

Why Is There Two Different Directories at Different Times and this External Directory in the CBS.Log?

Hello vickyl71

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

The images you've uploaded appear to show file directory listings, with some parts redacted for privacy. You've also mentioned an excerpt from a CBS.log file, which is typically associated with the Component Based Servicing (CBS) component of Windows.

To address your concerns:

1. Two Different Directories at Different Times: Windows can display directories in different ways based on user actions, view settings, or system updates. If the screenshots are from different times, it's possible that changes were made to the directory structure or content between those times.
   
2. External Directory in the CBS.Log: The CBS.log file records Component Based Servicing transactions on Windows. When you see references to an "external staging directory" or "external registry directory" with (null) next to them, it usually means that no external directories are being used for that particular operation.
   
3. Overlapping Directories: If you're seeing directories that seem to overlap or you suspect that someone else may be accessing your system, it could be due to several reasons, such as synced folders from a cloud service, network shared folders, or even malware.
   
4. Checking Unauthorized Access: To check for unauthorized access, you can:
   
   • Review the Security logs in the Event Viewer for any login attempts.
     
   • Check the Recent Files section or Quick Access in File Explorer to see if any unknown files were accessed recently.
     
   • Use a third-party application to monitor file access in real-time.
     
5. Understanding CBS.log Entry: The log entry you've provided seems standard for CBS operations. The (null) values suggest that no external directories were specified for the session by the client named Arbiter. This doesn't necessarily indicate anything malicious or unusual.
   
6. File Size Changes: When sending files over some platforms, the file size might appear different due to compression or metadata that the platform attaches to the file. The actual content size may not be affected.
   

To investigate further, you may want to consider the following actions:

• If you have administrative access, look into the system logs and see if there are any entries that you do not recognize, especially around the times you have noticed changes.
  
• Consider running a full system scan with an up-to-date antivirus program.
  
• Ensure that your system is up-to-date with the latest security patches.
  

If there is anything not clear or I can't understand your problem, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards

| Microsoft Community Support Specialist