Multiple Desktop entries in Windows Explorer

[Eric B.]

Hi,

I've run into a strange problem with my XP installation ever since I
upgraded to SP2. I see this occurring on a couple of computers and can't
seem to find out what is causing the problem. When I first open Windows
Explorer, everything looks normal. But after a while I suddenly find
multiple entries (about 10 or more) of the Desktop listed one below the
other until the My Documents folder. If I close Explorer and/or open a new
instance of it, it displays normally for a while, before this problem
reappears. It gets to be quite annoying after a while.

I've tried searching microsoft support and old posts but can't seem to find
anything. Has anyone encountered this problem before and/or know how to
resolve the problem? I have a screenshot I can email/post to better
describe the issue if I'm not being clear enough.

Thanks!

Eric

 

[Kelly]

Hi Eric,

Haven't heard of this at all. I would suggest looking here in the meantime:

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Change:

CommonDesktop
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop

To:

CommonDesktop
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\...\Shell Folders\Common Desktop -> C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Desktop
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\...\User Shell Folders\Common Desktop ->
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

[X-Posting trimmed]

I've run into a strange problem with my XP installation ever since I
upgraded to SP2. I see this occurring on a couple of computers and
can't seem to find out what is causing the problem. When I first open
Windows Explorer, everything looks normal. But after a while I
suddenly find multiple entries (about 10 or more) of the Desktop
listed one below the other until the My Documents folder.

See if this article applies:
"Problems After You Create a Folder That Is Named "Desktop" on the
Desktop in Windows XP" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=323681

 

[Kelly]

David C. has a workaround for this, as the article doesn't state much. )

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

[X-Posting trimmed]

I've run into a strange problem with my XP installation ever since I
upgraded to SP2. I see this occurring on a couple of computers and
can't seem to find out what is causing the problem. When I first open
Windows Explorer, everything looks normal. But after a while I
suddenly find multiple entries (about 10 or more) of the Desktop
listed one below the other until the My Documents folder.

See if this article applies:
"Problems After You Create a Folder That Is Named "Desktop" on the
Desktop in Windows XP" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=323681

 

[Eric B.]

Thanks for the link, but I don't have any files or folders called "Desktop"
on my Desktop. I guess what is really stumping me is that it starts out
fine, but at some point, refreshes and displays a whole bunch of the desktop
entries.

Am open to any ideas,

Thanks,

Eric

[X-Posting trimmed]

I've run into a strange problem with my XP installation ever since I
upgraded to SP2. I see this occurring on a couple of computers and
can't seem to find out what is causing the problem. When I first open
Windows Explorer, everything looks normal. But after a while I
suddenly find multiple entries (about 10 or more) of the Desktop
listed one below the other until the My Documents folder.

See if this article applies:
"Problems After You Create a Folder That Is Named "Desktop" on the
Desktop in Windows XP" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=323681

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

David C. has a workaround for this, as the article doesn't state much.
)

Well, my workaround was to rename the folder called "Desktop".
Anyway, that article doesn't seem to apply here.

 

[Kelly]

I hear you and congrats to Simon. )

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Kelly]

Interesting. Send me a screenshot via email.

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

Thanks for the link, but I don't have any files or folders called
"Desktop" on my Desktop. I guess what is really stumping me is that it
starts out fine, but at some point, refreshes and displays a whole bunch
of the desktop entries.

Am open to any ideas,

Thanks,

Eric

[X-Posting trimmed]

I've run into a strange problem with my XP installation ever since I
upgraded to SP2. I see this occurring on a couple of computers and
can't seem to find out what is causing the problem. When I first open
Windows Explorer, everything looks normal. But after a while I
suddenly find multiple entries (about 10 or more) of the Desktop
listed one below the other until the My Documents folder.

See if this article applies:
"Problems After You Create a Folder That Is Named "Desktop" on the
Desktop in Windows XP" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=323681

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I hear you and congrats to Simon. )

Thanks, Lady Kelly! )

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome, Sir Detlev. He is very handsome. )

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Most welcome, Sir Detlev. He is very handsome. )

Well, he's a chip off the old block.

 

[Kelly]

That he is. <w>

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[clsturgeon]

I have had this issue for a while too. In my environment I have
uncovered that when I drag a file (moving it) from my desktop,
something I do occasionally, to Explorer and then go back to the
desktop and open a file (double left mouse click) the multiple desktop
entries appear in Explorer. It does not appear to happen when opening
just any file. For example, I can replicate the issue with excel
files, but not text files.

There is one more quirk here... I have the Desktop toolbar enabled on
the main toolbar. (i.e. right click on the toolbar, select
Toolbar->Desktop. When I disable this toolbar I cannot replicate the
problem.

I have been able to replicate this issue on numerous machines, but so
far only those with MS Office installed.

Hope this helps,

Craig