My Documents folder missing from My Computer

[Guest]

I am using Windows XP SP2. There is an administrator account named "Owner"
and four limited user accounts.

When I log on as "Owner" and open My Computer, the heading "Files Stored on
This Computer" shows Shared Documents, Owner's Documents, and each of the
users's Documents. I know this is normal.

When I log on as one of the limited users, the only folder shown is Shared
Documents. It should also show that particular user's Documents folder.

If I give a limited user Administrator permissions and log on as that user,
I get the same results as "Owner." Take away the Administor permissions and
it's back to Shared Documents only.

Each limited user belongs only to the group "User." Each user's Documents
folder has the proper permissions (Full Control to system, administrators,
and it's respective user.) The registry
(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DocFolderPaths) contains correct paths to each users' documents folder.

I had this problem once before after I installed .NET 1.1 framework from
Windows Update. Several months ago, I found there was an update for .NET 1.1
and tried it. Voila, My Documents folder reappeared under My Computer!

Now here's the real brain scrambler: I just noticed this problem again two
days ago while logged on to my limited user account. Decided I'd look into
it later. Then my wife was logged on to her account. I asked her to open My
Computer, and like I mentioned, only Shared Documents was listed. Yesterday,
I hunted around a bit, couldn't find a solution. Today, my wife was logged
on her account again, and under My Computer is Shared Documents AND Christy's
Documents as it should be! "Hooray," I think, "it's fixed!" I log onto my
account to find... only Shared Documents. I log onto each of the other two
limited user accounts to again find... only Shared Documents. I log back
onto my wife's account, which still is showing BOTH Shared and her Documents
folders.

What the heck is going on here? I had a full head of hair a couple days
ago...
-Joe

 

[Gordon]

I am using Windows XP SP2. There is an administrator account named
"Owner"
and four limited user accounts.

When I log on as "Owner" and open My Computer, the heading "Files
Stored on
This Computer" shows Shared Documents, Owner's Documents, and each of
the
users's Documents. I know this is normal.

When I log on as one of the limited users, the only folder shown is
Shared
Documents. It should also show that particular user's Documents
folder.

No it shouldn't. Why should it? Doesn't on mine. Standard XP SP2
install.....

 

[Guest]

No it shouldn't. Why should it? Doesn't on mine. Standard XP SP2
install.....

This computer used to have that functionality. The computer in my basement
works that way. My laptop works that way. My father just put a brand new
hard drive in his business laptop last week and installed XP (and he wouldn't
change a default setting if his life depended on it - so, I'd say that's a
standard install...) I checked with him and his works that way too. Every
XP install I've ever worked with had that functionality. The fact that yours
doesn't isn't helping answer my question.

-Joe

 

[Guest]

I am using Windows XP SP2. There is an administrator account named "Owner"
and four limited user accounts.

Just to clarify, I am using Windows XP Professional SP2

Thanks
-Joe

 

[Ruud Uphoff]

Hi,

I was searching the internet and the Microsoft KB to find a solution for this problem, found several other questions about this, but no answers all. Yes, I';ve exactly the same problem on al Windows XP systems!

However, now I'm sure this is a bug.

I've setup a new system with a limited user and everything was ok. During configuration, I was watching My Computer after each step, but is remain ok. Until.....

...until I granted the limited user to change the system time. At the same moment, My Documents was gone. Removing that user right, the folder was back again. At that time, a used a work around. Put the user "John" in a special group "JohnGroup" and grand user rights to that group.

However, creating a scheduled task did the folder disappear again and there was no way to get it back.

I've learned to live with it. ;-)

Regards,
Ruud Uphoff

 

[Guest]

Thank you Ruud!

I had forgotten I had granted myself permission to change the system time...
sure enough, directly after removing the permission in the Group Policy
editor, Joe's Documents reappeared. How bizarre.

I'm just sorry it took me so long to get back here and find the answer.

Now, are you saying that you set up a scheduled task and the folder
disappeared for good? And doesn't come back if you remove the task? Any
task? I guess I'll try to avoid setting up a scheduled task!

Thanks again!
-Joe