[SOLVED] C:\ User> 'Username' missing

[Ainez]

Hello,
The C:\ > Users > Username folder is named Pictures instead of the user name that used to be. It happened after changing the Quick Access Pictures folder property > location, from a specific storage folder to 'C:\Users\Dracula'. Now the username is missing, instead it is named 'Pictures'.
If I try to change the Pictures > properties > location, I get this -

And both yes & No gives this msg -

And there's no Pictures folder in the C:\Users> Pictures.

How to fix this?

 

[Colif]

type "restore" in search then open "create a restore point"
create a new Restore Point now for C-drive
then open the newest restore point that is prior to the problem happening (if you have one)

 

[Ainez]

type "restore" in search then open "create a restore point"
create a new Restore Point now for C-drive
then open the newest restore point that is prior to the problem happening (if you have one)

How is the newest restore point be better if it has just been created? Isn't previous restore points, if they are available, correct option?

 

[Colif]

then open the newest restore point that is prior to the problem happening
is the 3rd line in my instructions. So yes, use one before you created the newest one. Its only there in case there isn't an older one.

 

[Ainez]

then open the newest restore point that is prior to the problem happening
is the 3rd line in my instructions. So yes, use one before you created the newest one. Its only there in case there isn't an older one.

Ah, now I see, brb

 

[Colif]

it seems odd your pictures folder isn't set to pictures by default.
C:/users/username/Pictures should have been the default location for them anyway, you may have been able to just set the location to default.

you would be better moving them to another location on PC instead of trying to move them to pictures. Especially the 2nd time.

Its really easy to mess up moving library folders. That is what Pictures is. I have seen it create entire hdd as Documents folders before

Safest way is to make a new target folder before you move them
then follow these steps (I only use site as they have clear instructions) - https://www.dummies.com/article/tec...ocation-of-user-folders-in-windows-10-140269/ (it works same in 11)
only click confirm move when you sure the folder its moving them to is the right one.

 

[Ainez]

type "restore" in search then open "create a restore point"
create a new Restore Point now for C-drive
then open the newest restore point that is prior to the problem happening (if you have one)

Looks like I don't have one, went through troubleshoot> uninstall feature update didn't work, uninstalled quality updates only, no avail

 

[Colif]

So I wonder what the consequences of renaming users folder to pictures would be going forward. I mean, windows clearly lets you log back in... might cause problems for games.

There is no easy answer apart from system restore. it was its one trick move.

I noticed I don't have a pictures folder either but mine is on Onedrive

Lets see
a reset keeping files and settings might fix it. Its the least drastic fix
full reset to base no users would but it wipes all your info.
clean install would fix it but it wipes all your info.

All 3 require reinstalling all your programs again.

copy anything off PC you don't want to lose, or onto another drive.

 

[Ainez]

it seems odd your pictures folder isn't set to pictures by default.
C:/users/username/Pictures should have been the default location for them anyway, you may have been able to just set the location to default.

you would be better moving them to another location on PC instead of trying to move them to pictures. Especially the 2nd time.

Its really easy to mess up moving library folders. That is what Pictures is. I have seen it create entire hdd as Documents folders before

Safest way is to make a new target folder before you move them
then follow these steps (I only use site as they have clear instructions) - https://www.dummies.com/article/tec...ocation-of-user-folders-in-windows-10-140269/ (it works same in 11)
only click confirm move when you sure the folder its moving them to is the right one.

Couldn't restore to default location, or move; the screen shoots are the result of the attempt following instructions.

 

[Colif]

Sorry to say, but it looks like starting from a reset or a clean install is only way to fix it.

this shows how to reset - https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/reset-windows-11
this shows clean install - https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/how-to-do-a-clean-installation-of-windows-10.3170366/

I expect there is probably a way to edit the registry to fix locations but at that point its easier to start again. I don't know what you would have to do in there anyway.

 

[Ainez]

a reset keeping files and settings might fix it. Its the least drastic fix

Didn't know there was a nominal reset option besides the Full Reset which does wipe everything out.
As yet, I didn't detect issues with the lack of proper user name in the Users folder, except for there is a corrupted inaccessible folder occurred suddenly, which can't be deleted, tried several techniques

 

[Ainez]

I expect there is probably a way to edit the registry to fix locations but at that point its easier to start again. I don't know what you would have to do in there anyway.

I don't mind bothering with registry as long it is brief editing and creating strings and such, you see most of the tweaks are available on the internet to find.
If it doesn't cause any major problem, will stick to it, or else fresh installation is the way like you said.

 

[Colif]

except for there is a corrupted inaccessible folder occurred suddenly, which can't be deleted, tried several techniques

unexpected consequences.

I don't think we can edit the registry enough to fix this. We don't know what else its changed.
I hate to say it but reset or reinstall only way to rectify this.

Moving library folders shouldn't be so dangerous. It shouldn't let you choose some folders. I don't know why it renamed the entire path to pictures, it might be cause the USERS folder is special. Of all the folders that shouldn't let you rename them...

 

[Colif]

the reset keeping files and settings...
hmm, I wonder what its going to save for pictures.

What it keeps is loggin info for the user, and contents of all your library folders...
so documents, music, videos, pictures.

now if your user folder is your picture folder. it might keep all of that on the new install...
I think it should at least recreate a proper User folder, its just the pictures folder in your user might be messed up still.

there is a chance the user folder having a different name now could mess up the reset.

 

[Ainez]

At first I thought it wouldn't allow login on the next boot.
Though I don't know how exactly reset works, I guess since it allowed login, it could be taking that folder as both USER and Picture (?), probably a coding loophole unaccounted for, idk just guessing.
What if, the next feature update fixes it by itself? Though it might depend on which category is updating and reinstalling. Unless usability declines, it might be worth waiting till update and see if it solves it maybe.

 

[Colif]

its up to you, I can't force you to reinstall.

its possible new version update might fix it, but it might just recreate it as it takes all the registry settings from previous user to create new folders.
Also, I have no idea when that is. Windows 11 only gets a new version once a year. That could be any time in next 8 months.

You could ask on here, someone might have a smart idea - https://www.elevenforum.com/questions/general-support/
if any place knows where to edit registry its likely on there or https://superuser.com/questions/tagged/forum

 

[Colif]

see if any of this helps = https://www.tenforums.com/general-s...placed-my-user-folder-my-pictures-folder.html

 

[Ainez]

Hey man, thanks for the links, I will ask them if there is a way to work this out. I really appreciate your time and effort.
Take care and Cheers.