Windows 10: Win 11 Downloads merged with Desktop, Two Desktops show in User Folder

I turned the computer on today and found this mess. Somehow the default Downloads folder is merged with the desktop, though they both maintain separate contents. The system thinks Downloads still exists, the folder file path points to it, despite the name being different. I haven't changed anything in the system except for adding books to Calibre, which doesn't touch the Downloads folder. Here are my screenshots. Thank you for the help.

:)

 

Desktop and user folder merging

Hi,

There are different ways for you to recover the previous folder settings on your computer. One of these is by following the steps below to organize and relocate your desktop or user folder.

• Press Windows key + E to launch File Explorer.
• Right-click on the special folder that you want to restore (Desktop).
  
• Then select Properties.
• Navigate to the Location tab.
• Click Restore Default.
• Then click Apply to save the changes.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

 

Accidental merge of desktop folder with User folder

After doing method 1, the user folder still seems merged with the desktop folder, but all of the shortcuts on the desktop now work again.

 

Accidental merge of desktop folder with User folder

We usually do not see user folder entirely merging with the desktop folder - often one of the user folders do get merged.

¸

Let us try to dig more.

What is the value of Users in this path?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion