lost My Documents folder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I created a new user/admin account and all of the files in the orginal "My
Documents" folder are now lost. They still reside on the C drive because
there's over 100G of file space still used but I can not locate them through
the new admin/user account or through a advance file search. I've tried
reseting the "hidden file" settings and even created a new Admin account to
try to recover them but they are no where to be found. Help....please...help
 
what was the original user name? lets say administrator as example
what is the new account name? lets say Admin

You have two choices: share between the account or move everything over to
the new account. I'll talk about sharing and I am sure you can see how to
move from the following
PART I
If you can login as administrator,
open explorer,
be sure to turn on show hidden files
right click on my documents
optional but recommended: backup My Documents now
select property
note the location of the my documents when the property windows pops up
with the Target tab,
copy to clipboard the target location you can use that in next part
select the security tab
add the new admin ID, admin and give full access
log off

PART II
log in as the new admin ID
explore the target location of the old "administrator" account, just to
confirm you got the target right

Assuming you don't have any thing valuable in your new admin documents
folder
open another explorer and right click on My Documents
select property
change target by pasting form clipboard
do not select move
OK
 
In (e-mail address removed) Dory
wrote:
I created a new user/admin account and all of the files in
the orginal "My
Documents" folder are now lost. They still reside on the C
drive because
there's over 100G of file space still used but I can not
locate them through
the new admin/user account or through a advance file search.
I've tried
reseting the "hidden file" settings and even created a new
Admin account to
try to recover them but they are no where to be found.
Help....please...help
Click to expand...

This can happen if you're running XP Professional and you were
using the built-in Administrator account. As soon as you create
a second admin account, the Administrator account goes into
hiding. Take a look at these articles for info on logging on
with the Administrator account:

How to login as Administrator in Windows XP?
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/admins.htm

If you're just looking to recover the files, you probably need
to take ownership of these folders:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&sd=tech

Note: Keep in mind you have to disable Simple File Sharing.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874/

The Administrator account isn't meant for everyday use. It
should be reserved for emergencies. If you want to add the
Administrator account to the Welcome Screen, take a look at
these articles:

Add the Administrator Account to the Welcome Screen
http://tinyurl.com/6utzj

Enable Administrator account on Welcome Screen
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_admin_ok.htm

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
Hi Dory,

I understand what you are going through and I hope I can assist you. Windows
XP stores its user files and settings in the following folder on C: drive,

C:\Documents and Settings

example: my files would be saved in C:\Documents and Settings\Chris folder
Click over to the main folder C:\Documents and Settings and a folder of
the previous account should be there. You can then browse in that folder
until you come to a folder called 'My Documents'. You can then move (cut and
paste) the files into your new 'My Documents' folder.

Please let me know if this helps.
Kind regards,

Chris (South Africa)
 
Hello Nepatsfan,

Your advise was right on the money! I found the hidden Admin account by
going through Safe mode and am now transfering files. You've been a
lifesaver!

Many thanks!
Dorian
 
Hi Chris,

My issue was a little more complicated than this. The final solution was
that XP hid the orginal Admin account and it can only be accessed through
Safe Mode. Once I was able to log into to the orginal admin account I could
move the 'My Documents" to a shared area so to access from the other
accounts.

Many thanks!
 
Thanks JG

The actual problem turned out to be a little more complicated. The solution
was that XP hides the orginal "admin" account when changed and it can only
be accessed through safe mode. Once I was able to access the orginal admin
account, I could then move the orginal "My Documents" file to a shared area.

Many thanks!
 
You're welcome. Glad to hear you've got your files back.

Nepatsfan

In (e-mail address removed) Dory
wrote:
 
Back
Top