Question Desktop : unavailable moved or deleted

[zpuskas]

I recently (yesterday with help from Tom's hardware) clone my C drive to a larger drive. However, I was having the Desktop unavailable ...moved/deleted message before I started the data migration. I also can't pin anything to the Taskbar or desktop. I've tried a few things via the Microsoft forum but nothing works. The only icon on my desktop is This PC and Recycle Bin. Otherwise, blank.
The error message says the Desktop was in my E drive, but I no longer have an E drive, I only have a C & D.
Any help in directing me to a solution is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

In File Explorer:

On the left, do you see a link for Desktop?
If so, right click
Properties
Location tab
"Restore Default"
OK

 

[zpuskas]

In File Explorer:

On the left, do you see a link for Desktop?
If so, right click
Properties
Location tab
"Restore Default"
OK

Hello again, that didn't work. I don't have any restore point nor do I use OneDrive.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Hello again, that didn't work.

Then make E: drive.
Shrink some existing partition.
Create/format a new partition in freed up space and
assign drive letter E: to this new partition.

 

[USAFRet]

Hello again, that didn't work. I don't have any restore point nor do I use OneDrive.

Show us a screencap of the Properties dialog, with the Location tab selected.

 

[zpuskas]

Show us a screencap of the Properties dialog, with the Location tab selected.

My mistake. I don't have a Location tab. What I did was Restore Defaults of the Picture. Here is the screenshot. Link Curiously the drive location is shown as F:. I never had an F: drive.

 

[USAFRet]

My mistake. I don't have a Location tab. What I did was Restore Defaults of the Picture. Here is the screenshot. Link Curiously the drive location is shown as F:. I never had an F: drive.

That is showing a regular 'folder' icon.

Where are the other default Libraries, like Documents, Pictures, Videos?

At some point in the past, did you do any redirect for those, or use any 3rd party customization tool?

 

[zpuskas]

My mistake. I don't have a Location tab. What I did was Restore Defaults of the Picture. Here is the screenshot. Link Curiously the drive location is shown as F:. I never had an F: drive.

That is showing a regular 'folder' icon.

Where are the other default Libraries, like Documents, Pictures, Videos?

At some point in the past, did you do any redirect for those, or use any 3rd party customization tool?

I can see the default libraries (Docs, pics, etc) when I try to save a file and it's asking for a location. I can't think of any customization I did. When I started the new drive/clone process I didn't want anything changed other than that work in progress.

 

[USAFRet]

I can see the default libraries (Docs, pics, etc) when I try to save a file and it's asking for a location. I can't think of any customization I did. When I started the new drive/clone process I didn't want anything changed other than that work in progress.

Can see them where?

Also, a screencap of the Disk Management window, as it is now.

 

[zpuskas]

Can see them where?

Also, a screencap of the Disk Management window, as it is now.

Here are the images Disk Mgt Libraries

 

[SkyNetRising]

I can see the default libraries (Docs, pics, etc) when I try to save a file and it's asking for a location. I can't think of any customization I did. When I started the new drive/clone process I didn't want anything changed other than that work in progress.

Below Downloads there's drive E: listed.
That is your desktop.
Right-click on E:\ and choose Properties/Location.

 

[zpuskas]

Below Downloads there's drive E: listed.
That is your desktop.
Right-click on E:\ and choose Properties/Location.

It doesn't show Properties, it only gets to New. Maybe because of the question mark?

 

[USAFRet]

Here are the images Disk Mgt Libraries

Save a file in one of those libraries.

Then, do a full system search for that particular file.

Where, exactly, is it?
Full drive letter and path.

 

[zpuskas]

Save a file in one of those libraries.

Then, do a full system search for that particular file.

Where, exactly, is it?
Full drive letter and path.

Please see here...where is it

 

[USAFRet]

Please see here...where is it

Now, save something to what is the Desktop.

Search, and probably on the D drive somewhere?

 

[zpuskas]

Now, save something to what is the Desktop.

Search, and probably on the D drive somewhere?

Could not save to desktop, see here

 

[USAFRet]

Could not save to desktop, see here

Very borked up config.

Desktop seemingly lives on a non-existent E, Pictures seemingly live on the D....

This can only be a result of some previous meddling where things go. Possibly in attempt to conserve space on the original 240GB drive.

I do not know any easy way to "fix" this, and have the default Libraries be in their default places.

 

[zpuskas]

Very borked up config.

Desktop seemingly lives on a non-existent E, Pictures seemingly live on the D....

This can only be a result of some previous meddling where things go. Possibly in attempt to conserve space on the original 240GB drive.

I do not know any easy way to "fix" this, and have the default Libraries be in their default places.

Is there a non-easy way?

 

[USAFRet]

Is there a non-easy way?

A full reinstall of the OS...

 

[zpuskas]

A full reinstall of the OS...

How would I go about that? The OS did not come with any disks, etc.

 

[zpuskas]

A full reinstall of the OS...

How would I go about that? The OS did not come with any disks, etc.

Should I try doing a partition to add an E drive as suggested above?

 

[USAFRet]

Should I try doing a partition to add an E drive as suggested above?

That might be a way to try.

It won't actually "fix" the D and E weirdness, or reinstate the proper location of the Libraries, but it is worth a try.

 

[USAFRet]

How would I go about that? The OS did not come with any disks, etc.

How To - Windows 11 clean install tutorial

Windows 11 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows 11, version 23H2 or newer but can be equally applied to earlier versions which may have some basic differences in the screens you see but will largely remain similar in...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[zpuskas]

That might be a way to try.

It won't actually "fix" the D and E weirdness, or reinstate the proper location of the Libraries, but it is worth a try.

Is this the procedure Partition

 

[USAFRet]

Is this the procedure Partition

Yes, pretty much.

BUT...do NOT do this without a know good full drive Image of your current C drive.
It is very easy to make a mistake, and have the whole thing go away.


Try that partition shrinkage on your D drive first.