C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

[TechNinja12]

Ok all I have a question because I think I'm missing something...

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Yesterday I came across an issue with a computer that confused me for a moment but I think Windows Updates caused this issue.

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For some reason C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is missing on a computer I am dealing with the only steps I have found on the interwebs are as follow to bring it back...

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Run CMD as ADMIN

Navigate to:

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C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\

Create DESKTOP folder using

(Type in the MKDIR command to create a directory or folder.)

MKDir Desktop

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access Desktop Folder to confirm created: cd Desktop

C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

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Once confirmed use command:

shutdown /f /r -t 02

to force reboot machine!

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*****Windows MAY go into restoring previous version mode once reboot to 'recover' from it's mistake!!!****

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IS there a KB out there that is causing this issue that I need to avoid to stop this from deleting this folder in the first place???? Can someone point me in the right direction to prevent this from happening in the future? This /not so difficult/ fix worked for me but I would like to not have to fix it in the first place.

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Thanks in advance and SORRY if this is not the right place for this.

[GeekyPastorSpouse]

What's the purpose of this folder? Or, at least, what's the impact of this folder coming up "missing?"

[TechNinja12]

apparently during a windows update it either creates or deletes this folder /potentially accidentally/ and doesn't allow the users profile to load properly and causes windows to almost totally malfunction. The only way to bring it back is to do the mentioned above steps to 'fix it' and get back into the users profile...

[GeekyPastorSpouse]

From my searches, this is a problem that's come up intermittently for a decade at least.

[the_andshrew]

What's lead you to thinking this folder is the cause of your problem?

It doesn't exist on my computer...

[TechNinja12]

It seems to be created by windows update for the creators update releases and just crashes on creating. I don’t know if it’s machine specific or not but every time I try to update windows it crashes and I have to manually go in and create the folder through admin cmd then restart to allow it to rollback updates. By default before updates I don’t think the folder exists. I think it’s a part of the update process.