Mike McLoughlin
asked on
Windows File Reference Error - Location is not available.
After cleaning up my desktop in Windows 7 professional edition using Admin User, I am now getting a error message when I try to access folders in My documents. Windows is telling me
"refers to a location that is unavailable."
When I set up Windows I changed my My Documents folder from "C:\Users\Mike\Documents" to "C:\McL".
Windows used to know this but for some reason it is now looking for folders in the original C:\Users\Mike\Documents location when the folder is actually in the C:\McL location.
This seems to only happen in certain instances in windows 7. If I click on a shortcut in Explorer it works fine. However, if I click on a shortcut under the Libraries function or if I use a shortcut that is pinned to my task bar or if I am in my Recent list of shortcuts they all throw up this error.
Basically when ever Windows wants to find something in "C:\Users\Mike\Documents" I want it to look in "C:\McL" Is there a way of telling Windows this? If so, can someone please give me a SIMPLE step by step procedure of setting this up? Thanks.
"refers to a location that is unavailable."
When I set up Windows I changed my My Documents folder from "C:\Users\Mike\Documents" to "C:\McL".
Windows used to know this but for some reason it is now looking for folders in the original C:\Users\Mike\Documents location when the folder is actually in the C:\McL location.
This seems to only happen in certain instances in windows 7. If I click on a shortcut in Explorer it works fine. However, if I click on a shortcut under the Libraries function or if I use a shortcut that is pinned to my task bar or if I am in my Recent list of shortcuts they all throw up this error.
Basically when ever Windows wants to find something in "C:\Users\Mike\Documents" I want it to look in "C:\McL" Is there a way of telling Windows this? If so, can someone please give me a SIMPLE step by step procedure of setting this up? Thanks.
ASKER
Okay, I tried this. Yes, the default location was set to C:\users\<yourusername>. When I try to add c:\McL It tells me it is already there as C:\My Documents. So I set this as the default Save location for documents. However, when I try the links that generate the error I get same error. So this solution does not appear to be working.
ASKER
That helps partially! I need to find and replace the following string in the list of pinned shortcuts I have under excel and word on my windows 7 task bar. Find C:\User\Mike\Documents Replace with C:\McL\. This only seems to be a problem in certain situations. Pined shrtcuts, Library links, etc.
I'd love to know how it works out for you and if you lose data in the long run by Windows renaming the directory or anything. I am considering doing this sort of thing in the future.
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ASKER
I solved it myself using the junction function!
hit the Windows key + R to get to Run, then
type c:\users\<yourusername>\
Right click on documents and choose properties
From that dialog add the c:\McL folder by clicking Include a folder
then select that folder and click the Set save location button