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My Documents - How do I create a My Documents folder, I deleted by accident.

mati98151 7926 19
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How do I recreate the missing My Documents folder in Windows 7 after deleting it?

Create a folder named `Documents` in the path shown by the `Personal` registry value, because `My Documents` is only a symbolic link in Windows 7 [#16731142][#16731835] Open `regedit` and go to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders`; the `Personal` entry shows the documents folder location, and if the folder is missing, create it there [#16731142][#16731208] If you still cannot see it in Explorer, disable hiding of system files and check `C:\Users\\Documents` [#16731044]
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  • #1 16730957
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    Hello. I deleted my documents folder by accident. It is nowhere to be found, only my Public Documents folder. How to restore the My Documents folder.
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  • #2 16730971
    Pedros050
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17906
    Help: 2471
    Rate: 3901
    Hello, maybe resetting the libraries will help. Open "Computer", find Libraries in the list, then right-click and the option "Restore default libraries".
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  • #3 16730975
    mati211p
    HDD and data recovery specialist  
    Posts: 16916
    Help: 2584
    Rate: 1130
    What is this system? Is it recovering the data folder or just recreating the folder itself? If you want to recover data, you need to reset the computer from your finger so that it will not save anything on the disk, download it to another PC and record the live system on a CD / pendrive and work from the live system. Besides, if the data is not important, it should be restored by itself, or possibly a system restore should be applied and seen (not to be confused with system refresh or factory reset).
  • #4 16730984
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit. It's about recreating a folder.
  • #5 16731044
    DriverMSG
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 44094
    Help: 3984
    Rate: 4838
    In the folder options, disable hiding system files.
    The folder you are looking for should be in the location:
    C: \ Users \ "username" \ Documents
  • #6 16731074
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    I did so and there is no folder.
  • #7 16731098
    krzychupar
    Level 43  
    Posts: 6807
    Help: 1490
    Rate: 633
    You don't even have it in the basket?
  • #8 16731106
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    I checked there is no.
  • #9 16731142
    masterten
    Level 33  
    Posts: 1470
    Help: 268
    Rate: 281
    Run the registry editor, go to the key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Shell Folders
    In the entry named "Personal" there is a path to the documents folder. Go to the indicated folder and if it is not there, create it.
  • #10 16731201
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    Can someone help to get this folder in its final place. I don't know what exactly to enter.
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  • #11 16731208
    krzychupar
    Level 43  
    Posts: 6807
    Help: 1490
    Rate: 633
    Do you have this key in the registry? If so, give a screenshot of this key. To display this key, click Start, then type in search programs and regedit files. Once you find this program, you run it and look for that key.
  • #12 16731700
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    The folder is but not visible. How to make it visible?
  • #13 16731718
    krzychupar
    Level 43  
    Posts: 6807
    Help: 1490
    Rate: 633
    What does it mean? Folder is not visible.
  • #14 16731746
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    So when I try to make a folder called my documents it pops up that it is there.
  • #15 16731756
    MrDoimer
    Level 38  
    Posts: 5691
    Help: 271
    Rate: 124
    masterten wrote:
    Run the registry editor, go to the key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Shell Folders
    In the entry named "Personal" there is a path to the documents folder. Go to the indicated folder

    Can you finally do it?
    Write what is the given path and whether is this key?
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  • #16 16731792
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    This is what it looks like My Documents - How do I create a My Documents folder, I deleted by accident.
  • #17 16731835
    masterten
    Level 33  
    Posts: 1470
    Help: 268
    Rate: 281
    mati98151 wrote:
    So when I try to make a folder called my documents it pops up that it is there.


    Wrong. "My documents" is because it is a so-called symbolic link. You are to create a folder called "Documents".
  • #18 16731849
    krzychupar
    Level 43  
    Posts: 6807
    Help: 1490
    Rate: 633
    Right-click on Personal then Modify Binary Data and post a screen of the window that appears.
  • #19 16731883
    mati98151
    Level 6  
    Posts: 72
    Help: 1
    Rate: 8
    My Documents - How do I create a My Documents folder, I deleted by accident.

    EDIT
    If I reset the system to factory settings, my documents would come back. I have the system on the ssd disk and for files I have two separate disks.
    Something would have happened to your data if you reset the system to factory settings.

    I merged. RADU23
  • #20 16737225
    masterten
    Level 33  
    Posts: 1470
    Help: 268
    Rate: 281
    masterten wrote:
    mati98151 wrote:
    So when I try to make a folder called my documents it pops up that it is there.


    Wrong. "My documents" is because it is a so-called symbolic link. You are to create a folder called "Documents".

    You did it?

    You have windows 7, so restoring factory settings deletes data and programs, sometimes only from the system partition and sometimes from the entire disk - it depends on how the manufacturer predicted (if it's a factory recovery, and I don't know because you haven't written anything about the hardware).
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a user who accidentally deleted their "My Documents" folder on a Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit system and seeks assistance in restoring it. Various solutions are proposed, including resetting libraries to default, checking folder visibility settings, and using the registry editor to verify the path to the documents folder. The user confirms that the folder is not in the recycle bin and is not visible in the expected directory. Further suggestions include creating a new folder named "Documents" as "My Documents" is a symbolic link. The conversation also touches on the implications of performing a factory reset, which could lead to data loss.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Windows 7 fix takes 3 steps; "You are to create a folder called 'Documents'." Then reset Libraries and confirm the registry path. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16731835]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps Windows 7 users quickly restore a missing Documents folder without losing data.

Quick Facts

How do I recreate the missing “My Documents” folder in Windows 7?

Create a folder named Documents in your user profile, not “My Documents.” Then reset Libraries. Confirm the registry path points to that folder. This restores the Explorer link without affecting other data. Use the exact name “Documents,” not a translation. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16731835]

Where is the default Documents folder located?

Open C:\Users\ and look for Documents. If hidden, adjust Folder Options to show hidden/system items. This is the canonical per-user location for Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit accounts. It should appear once created correctly. [Elektroda, DriverMSG, post #16731044]

Why does Windows say “My Documents” already exists?

Because “My Documents” is a legacy junction (symbolic link) that points to Documents. Creating a folder named “My Documents” conflicts with that link. Create “Documents” instead. Expert tip: “You are to create a folder called ‘Documents’.” [Elektroda, masterten, post #16731835]

How can I make a hidden Documents folder visible?

Open Folder Options and disable hiding protected operating system files and hidden files. Then check C:\Users\ again. If Windows blocked creation earlier, recreate Documents with correct case. Visibility returns once attributes allow display. [Elektroda, DriverMSG, post #16731044]

How do I reset Libraries so Documents shows again in Explorer?

Open Computer, find Libraries, right‑click, and choose Restore default libraries. This rebuilds the Documents library entry and fixes broken links in the navigation pane. Recheck Explorer afterward. [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16730971]

How do I check or fix the registry path for Documents?

Run regedit and open HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders. Verify the Personal value points to C:\Users\\Documents. If not, correct it, then ensure the folder exists. “In the entry named ‘Personal’ there is a path to the documents folder.” [Elektroda, masterten, post #16731142]

Will recreating the Documents folder restore my files?

No. Recreating the folder restores 0 files; it only fixes the location. For lost data, stop writing to the disk and recover from backups or a live system. Folder recreation is structural, not restorative. [Elektroda, mati211p, post #16730975]

Can System Restore or a factory reset bring back Documents?

System Restore may re-link folders, but a factory reset can remove apps and data, sometimes beyond the system partition. Confirm your vendor’s reset scope before proceeding. Back up first to avoid irreversible loss. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16737225]

What is a symbolic link in this context?

It’s a special entry that points to another folder. Here, “My Documents” points to Documents. Deleting the link or folder can confuse Explorer, so recreate Documents and restore Libraries to fix navigation. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16731835]

How do I check if Documents was deleted to Recycle Bin?

Open Recycle Bin and search for “Documents.” If it’s not there, recreate the folder at C:\Users\ and fix the registry path if needed. Empty bins indicate permanent deletion or a link issue. [Elektroda, krzychupar, post #16731098]

I only see Public Documents—what does that mean?

The Public Documents library is separate from your user Documents. It can appear even when your personal Documents folder is missing or mislinked. Recreate Documents and reset Libraries to restore your personal entry. [Elektroda, mati98151, post #16730957]

Quick 3‑step fix: how do I do it?

  1. Create C:\Users\\Documents (exact name).
  2. Reset Libraries: right‑click Libraries → Restore default libraries.
  3. Verify registry: HKCU...Shell Folders → Personal → points to C:\Users\\Documents. This sequence repairs the link and folder visibility. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16731142]

The folder “exists” but I can’t see it—what now?

Windows may hide it or block duplicate creation. Enable viewing hidden/system files, then confirm the registry’s Personal path. If creation prompts that it exists, fix the path and reset Libraries. [Elektroda, mati98151, post #16731746]

Is it safe to factory‑reset if my data is on other drives?

Not guaranteed. Some recovery tools wipe only C:, others affect all disks. Vendor designs vary. Back up everything first or avoid reset. Prefer recreating Documents and repairing Libraries instead. [Elektroda, masterten, post #16737225]

What information helps others assist me faster?

Share your Windows edition, a screenshot of HKCU...Shell Folders highlighting Personal, and any error messages. This pinpoints the mislinked path quickly. Use regedit to capture the key view. [Elektroda, krzychupar, post #16731208]
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