Windows Explorer 'Desktop' icons

[perkin5]

I have Windows 10 64-bit updated. When I open Windows explorer I see 2 icons for 'Desktop' (see attached screenshot). Both navigate to the same place although the icons are different. I suspect this is because I recently redirected the Pictures library to the desktop and then deleted all the native Picture library folders - so the default folder for saving all images is now the Desktop, which is what I want. Is there an easy way to get rid of the second icon. I have already unchecked 'Show libraries'.

 

[Wolfie]

Hi perkin5,

what happens when you right click the desktop icons?, do you have the option to delete them?.

 

[perkin5]

No, the context menu does not include any delete option

 

[Snuffy]

You might try
1. drag to recycle bin (best option)
2. right click and unpin
3. right click and open location and see exactly where it takes you.... if a genuine shortcut
you should see in properties.

 

[Wolfie]

Also, what version of Win 10 are you using?:

https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/how-to-upgrade-windows-10-to-the-latest-version.13015/

 

[perkin5]

You might try
1. drag to recycle bin (best option)
2. right click and unpin
3. right click and open location and see exactly where it takes you.... if a genuine shortcut
you should see in properties.

Both the desktop links navigate to the same Desktop folder. Don't know what you mean by unpin - not pinned to anything

 

[perkin5]

Also, what version of Win 10 are you using?:

https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/how-to-upgrade-windows-10-to-the-latest-version.13015/

Version 1909

 

[wegmand]

This might be something. Click on Libraries. Then right-click on the Desktop folder with the pictures icon and select Properties. See the attachment from my computer. I have a green check mark next to the location for my Pictures that I redirected to the E:\ drive. If you have a check mark next to the Desktop folder instead, maybe it has no choice than to use Desktop as the name.

 

[perkin5]

This might be something. Click on Libraries. Then right-click on the Desktop folder with the pictures icon and select Properties. See the attachment from my computer. I have a green check mark next to the location for my Pictures that I redirected to the E:\ drive. If you have a check mark next to the Desktop folder instead, maybe it has no choice than to use Desktop as the name.

Sadly that didn't work for me. When I did exactly as you suggest I got the attached screenshot. Both these Desktop icons appear to point to the same Desktop folder - like having 2 html links pointing to the same place. I suspect I need to amend the Registry but am not confident enough to do this without expert guidance

 

[davehc]

See if you can delete them from
C:\Users\username\Desktop
and
C:\Users\Public\Desktop

 

[wegmand]

Sadly that didn't work for me. When I did exactly as you suggest I got the attached screenshot. Both these Desktop icons appear to point to the same Desktop folder - like having 2 html links pointing to the same place. I suspect I need to amend the Registry but am not confident enough to do this without expert guidance

It makes sense that your Desktop is also your Pictures library as you mentioned in your first post, so the shortcuts would point to the same place (your Desktop).

In the file manager view, under the User heading (see attached), if you right-click on the 'Desktop' folder with the pictures icon, can you select "Rename" and change the name from "Desktop" to "Pictures"? Otherwise, then you might have to create an actual 'Pictures' folder on your desktop and make that your Pictures library location, since you want to make the Desktop the library location for your Pictures. The library wouldn't be at the main desktop level, but this new sub-folder within it.

 

[perkin5]

See if you can delete them from
C:\Users\username\Desktop
and
C:\Users\Public\Desktop

No this doesn't work. Inside the C:\Users\Public\ folder there is no Desktop folder - only one called Public Desktop which has no content. the C:\Users\username\Desktop folder is there but of course I don't want to delete that as it has some content that I want to keep

It makes sense that your Desktop is also your Pictures library as you mentioned in your first post, so the shortcuts would point to the same place (your Desktop).

In the file manager view, under the User heading (see attached), if you right-click on the 'Desktop' folder with the pictures icon, can you select "Rename" and change the name from "Desktop" to "Pictures"? Otherwise, then you might have to create an actual 'Pictures' folder on your desktop and make that your Pictures library location, since you want to make the Desktop the library location for your Pictures. The library wouldn't be at the main desktop level, but this new sub-folder within it.

I get your point but when I right-click on the 'Desktop' folder with the pictures icon I do not get a rename option. I did try creating a pictures folder in the desktop but Windows then tried to put my entire desktop into it, blanking the default desktop, and it took me quite a while to restore the status quo. I'm thinking I'll just leave it the way it is!