"my documents" system folder properties

[C.M.G.]

For some reason, win xp has decided that the "my documents" folder is "music
folder," so that each time I open it, it spends several seconds caching it
before I can access any files/folders within it.

When I right-click the "my documents" folder and select "properties," there
is no "customize" tab, so I am not sure how I can change the properties of
this system folder.

Any ideas how to fix this?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Sharon F]

For some reason, win xp has decided that the "my documents" folder is "music
folder," so that each time I open it, it spends several seconds caching it
before I can access any files/folders within it.

When I right-click the "my documents" folder and select "properties," there
is no "customize" tab, so I am not sure how I can change the properties of
this system folder.

Any ideas how to fix this?

Thanks,

Clem.

The desktop.ini for the folder needs to be edited. MVP Kelly Theriot
explains how to correct the file for all of the special "My" folders on
this page:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_f.htm

Scroll down to "Folder Backgrounds - Customizing." The info you're seeking
is in the Q&A part of that section.

 

[C.M.G.]

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for your response.

I looked up the info on Kelly Theriot's page. The description there matches
the problem I have encountered, but the fix does not work!

Specifically, the "My Documents" already contained the appropriate
"desktop.ini" file with all the proper text within it. When I deleted it,
the "My Documents" appearance and behavior did not change (in other words,
it retained the wrong system folder properties and did not revert to a
"plain" folder), and therefore, the "properties" menu did not offer a
"customize" tab. I replaced the desktop.ini file and rebooted, still the
same problem.

Sharon, at this point, I am stuck. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Sharon F]

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for your response.

I looked up the info on Kelly Theriot's page. The description there matches
the problem I have encountered, but the fix does not work!

Specifically, the "My Documents" already contained the appropriate
"desktop.ini" file with all the proper text within it. When I deleted it,
the "My Documents" appearance and behavior did not change (in other words,
it retained the wrong system folder properties and did not revert to a
"plain" folder), and therefore, the "properties" menu did not offer a
"customize" tab. I replaced the desktop.ini file and rebooted, still the
same problem.

Sharon, at this point, I am stuck. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Clem.

Hmmm, Kelly's fixes are usually right on but if your desktop.ini file
already had the correct information there is nothing to change.

Once, a long time ago, I had this change in customization happen with my
documents folder. What I did to fix it was move it to different drive and
then back to the original location. I used the buttons in the My Documents
properties sheets (Move Folder and Restore Default). Juggling the folder's
location apparently updated the desktop.ini file and corrected whatever had
gone awry within it. Not very scientific but it worked.

Another fix at Kelly's site that you might try is from her "tweaks" page:

Line 207 right hand side
Restore Properties - My Computer & Documents
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[C.M.G.]

Sharon,

Moving the folder did not fix the problem. Regarding the .reg file, I am a
little leery of it, especially of what it might do to My Computer
properties... any idea what settings this might change?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Sharon F]

Sharon,

Moving the folder did not fix the problem. Regarding the .reg file, I am a
little leery of it, especially of what it might do to My Computer
properties... any idea what settings this might change?

Thanks,

Clem.

You can open a .REG file with Notepad. The text will show exactly what
changes will be made. If you prefer, use the text as a guide to edit the
registry manually. You can compare keys/values as you work your way through
the file and make notes of any discrepancies between the two.

Remember, you can export a key before editing or deleting it. That way if
you don't like the changes you've made, you can double click the .REG file
and it will enter the exported values back into the registry (revert to
what it was before you changed it).

 

[C.M.G.]

Sharon,

I used the .reg file, but there is no change in the "My Documents" behavior.
Any other ideas of what I could try?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Sharon F]

Sharon,

I used the .reg file, but there is no change in the "My Documents" behavior.
Any other ideas of what I could try?

Ramesh posted this earlier for another user with the same problem. It
worked for them. Perhaps it will work for you too.
Quote:

Type this command in Start/Run:
rundll32 mydocs.dll,PerUserInit
This fixes the Desktop.ini for the My Documents and it's sub-folders for
the currently logged on user. Run this command under every other user
profile (login). Additionally, to fix the Desktop.ini for the Shared
Documents folder, see:
http://computers.douglasthrift.net/winxpfaq/#faq3_shared_documents

End Quote.

 

[C.M.G.]

Sharon,

I ran the rundll32 mydocs.dll,PerUserInit command for all users, and I
checked the desktop.ini files which were according to specs, still no luck.

I then created a new user and copied all the files and folders in "My
Documents" from the original user account to the new account. The "My
Documents" folder in the new account behaved normally, as did the
subfolders.

I then deleted all files, including hidden and system files, in the "My
Documents" folder in the original user account. At this point, the "My
Documents" folder in the old user account still acted like a music folder
(task pane, background image).

I copied all the files and folders from the "My Documents" folder in the new
account to that in the old account, but it did still display the wrong
properties.

It seems that the system ignores the desktop.ini file. Do you have any idea
where the faulty instructions might be coming from?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Sharon F]

It seems that the system ignores the desktop.ini file. Do you have any idea
where the faulty instructions might be coming from?

Are the attributes for the existing desktop.ini file showing HSA (hidden,
system and archive)? If no, try setting those attributes (especially hidden
and system). Also, it never hurts to restart between changes or at least
log off and then on again.

 

[C.M.G.]

Sharon,

The attributes are HSA. Restarting does not fix it, either!

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi C.M.G,

From your recent description, I guess the problem is not with the
Desktop.ini, but with the Folder type registry setting. Simply resetting all
the folder view (from Folder Options applet, View tab) will help. You can
find more information on this problem in the link below, illustrated by
Keith Miller. BTW, an automated tool would be available shortly, based Keith
Miller's excellent instructions.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_common_tasks.htm

More Information:
------------------

The FolderType setting is once set in the registry and Windows XP does not
change the setting dynamically. Here are your options:

1. Reset all folder settings:

Click Start, Run and type C:\
Click Tools, Folder Options
In the View tab, click "Reset all folders"
Click OK.
Close the folder

2. To fix the FolderType setting for a particular folder, follow this advice
by Keith Miller.
http://groups.google.co.in/groups?hl=en&lr=&selm=ehgO1ffTCHA.1496@tkmsftngp11

-or-

Using Process Explorer from www.sysinternals.com:

1. Open My Pictures folder from Start Menu or using Start/Run dialog.
2. Start Process Explorer
3. Switch the lower pane view to Handles, in order to find the 'Bag Number'.
4. Once you locate the Bag #, go to that key and change the FolderType value
accordingly.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Sharon,

The attributes are HSA. Restarting does not fix it, either!

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[C.M.G.]

Ramesh,

Your answer (resetting all folders) worked like a spell!

Thank you very much.

Clem.

Hi C.M.G,

From your recent description, I guess the problem is not with the
Desktop.ini, but with the Folder type registry setting. Simply resetting
all the folder view (from Folder Options applet, View tab) will help. You
can find more information on this problem in the link below, illustrated
by Keith Miller. BTW, an automated tool would be available shortly, based
Keith Miller's excellent instructions.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_common_tasks.htm

More Information:
------------------

The FolderType setting is once set in the registry and Windows XP does not
change the setting dynamically. Here are your options:

1. Reset all folder settings:

Click Start, Run and type C:\
Click Tools, Folder Options
In the View tab, click "Reset all folders"
Click OK.
Close the folder

2. To fix the FolderType setting for a particular folder, follow this
advice by Keith Miller.
http://groups.google.co.in/groups?hl=en&lr=&selm=ehgO1ffTCHA.1496@tkmsftngp11

-or-

Using Process Explorer from www.sysinternals.com:

1. Open My Pictures folder from Start Menu or using Start/Run dialog.
2. Start Process Explorer
3. Switch the lower pane view to Handles, in order to find the 'Bag
Number'.
4. Once you locate the Bag #, go to that key and change the FolderType
value accordingly.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Clem.