Two Desktop folders appear when sync or folder redirection creates a second path; keep one path and turn off the extra backup.
Seeing two Desktop folders can be confusing. One shows a set of icons; the other holds different files or an empty view.
This happens when your system points to more than one Desktop path. The most common triggers are cloud backup tools, a shared Public Desktop, or a misrouted folder location.
This guide gives you clear steps to spot the cause and fix it without risking your files.
Common Reasons You See Two Desktop Folders
| Cause | What You See | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| OneDrive PC Folder Backup (Known Folder Move) | “Desktop” under OneDrive plus “Desktop” under This PC | Decide one home, then stop backup for Desktop or relink to the chosen path |
| iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents | Local Desktop and an iCloud Drive > Desktop for this Mac | Use one Desktop: keep it in iCloud Drive or turn that setting off |
| Public Desktop | Shortcuts appear twice: once from your user Desktop and again from C:\Users\Public\Desktop | Remove or move duplicates in your user Desktop; leave Public shortcuts alone |
| Location Moved | Desktop points to a custom path or a second drive | Set the Desktop Location back to the default user path |
| Navigation Pane Quirk | Two “Desktop” entries in File Explorer’s sidebar | Same data; collapse or hide the extra entry |
| Case-sensitive systems | “Desktop” and “desktop” exist side-by-side on Linux | Pick one name; update xdg-user-dirs and clean up |
Why Do I See Two Desktop Folders On Windows?
On Windows, the Desktop you see on screen is a merge of your personal Desktop and the Public Desktop.
File Explorer may also show a second Desktop under OneDrive when PC folder backup is on.
That’s why you can open one place and not see everything from the other.
Quick Checks To Tell Which One You’re Using
- Create a test file: Right-click your Desktop → New > Text Document. Name it marker-A.txt.
- Reveal its path: Right-click the new file → Properties. Check Location.
If you see C:\Users\<name>\Desktop, that’s your personal Desktop. If the path starts with OneDrive\Desktop, it lives in OneDrive.
If you don’t find the file on screen but do see it under C:\Users\Public\Desktop, it’s coming from the Public Desktop. - Open File Explorer: Expand This PC, OneDrive, and Quick access. Note which branch shows marker-A.txt.
Fix It: Keep A Single Desktop Path
Pick one home and point everything there. If you want your Desktop in OneDrive so it syncs, keep OneDrive’s Desktop and make sure the local Desktop redirects to the same path.
If you’d prefer to keep it local, turn off OneDrive’s Desktop backup and move files back to C:\Users\<name>\Desktop.
Turn Off OneDrive Desktop Backup (If You Want A Local Desktop)
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray → Settings.
- Open Sync and backup → Manage backup.
- Toggle Desktop off. Choose to keep files on this PC.
- Back in File Explorer, move your files from OneDrive\Desktop to C:\Users\<name>\Desktop.
Keep OneDrive Desktop (If You Want Cloud Sync)
- In OneDrive Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup, leave Desktop on.
- Move any files sitting in C:\Users\<name>\Desktop into OneDrive\Desktop so you have one copy.
- Confirm the Desktop Location points to the OneDrive path (next section).
Set The Desktop Location Back To Default
If the Desktop was moved to a custom folder, point it back.
In File Explorer, right-click Desktop under This PC → Properties > Location → Restore Default → Apply.
When asked, allow Windows to move files. Use the Move… button if Restore Default isn’t available.
About The Public Desktop
Windows shows shortcuts from C:\Users\Public\Desktop to all users.
You may see an app icon on your screen and also inside your own Desktop folder; that’s normal.
Don’t delete items from Public\Desktop unless you’re sure other users don’t need them.
Remove duplicates in your own Desktop instead.
Two “Desktop” Entries In The Sidebar?
File Explorer can list Desktop under both Quick access and This PC, and a third one under OneDrive if backup is on.
Those entries can point to the same data. If they bother you, collapse the extra branches, unpin duplicates from Quick access, or hide the OneDrive node only if you’ve turned its backup off.
Having Two Desktop Folders On Mac? Fix Steps
On macOS, turning on Desktop & Documents Folders for iCloud Drive moves your Desktop into iCloud.
Finder then shows a Desktop inside iCloud Drive and a Desktop in your home folder.
When you sign in to a second Mac with the same Apple ID, iCloud creates a second Desktop folder named after that Mac inside iCloud Drive.
Pick One Desktop And Stick With It
- Decide your home: Use Desktop in iCloud Drive for sync across devices, or keep a local Desktop if you don’t want cloud storage.
- If choosing iCloud: Open System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options. Turn on Desktop & Documents Folders.
- If choosing local: In the same panel, turn that feature off. macOS offers to keep a copy in your home folder; move your files into ~/Desktop and tidy up duplicates left in iCloud Drive.
- Multiple Macs: Inside iCloud Drive, open the Desktop folder named for this Mac; archive or merge the other one after you confirm everything is safe.
Spot The Active Location
Save a small file on the Desktop and run Spotlight. If the path starts with iCloud Drive > Desktop, you’re in the cloud copy.
If it starts with Macintosh HD > Users > <name> > Desktop, it’s local.
Two Desktop Folders On Linux
Linux desktops follow the XDG user directories standard.
If your home uses a case-sensitive file system, you can end up with both Desktop and desktop.
Apps may also recreate Desktop if you remove it.
Set the name you want and update the config so new sessions use the same place.
Make The Name Consistent
- Edit ~/.config/user-dirs.dirs and set
XDG_DESKTOP_DIR="$HOME/Desktop"(or your chosen path). - Run
xdg-user-dirs-update. - Merge files into the chosen folder and remove the extra one.
Safety Tips Before You Move Anything
- Back up first: Use File History, Time Machine, or another backup tool.
- Move, don’t delete: Drag files into the chosen Desktop, then confirm they open as expected.
- Empty cloud trash later: Cloud apps keep their own recycle bins; wait a day or two before clearing them.
- Watch storage: Turning off cloud backup can pull files down. Make sure there’s room on your drive.
Spot The Exact Paths In File Explorer
Windows can mask locations behind friendly names. You can still see the true path with a couple of clicks.
Open File Explorer, switch to the View tab, and turn on Details.
Add the Folder path column from View > Add columns.
Now browse each Desktop entry in the sidebar and watch that column; you’ll see whether the files live under your user profile, OneDrive, or Public.
Select an item, press Alt+Enter, then read the Location field value.
Troubleshooting Checklist For Windows
- Check OneDrive status: Click the cloud icon. If you see Desktop is backed up, you have a cloud copy.
- Look for a Location redirect: Right-click Desktop under This PC → Properties → Location.
- Open Public: Go to C:\Users\Public\Desktop and match any shortcuts you see on screen.
- Review Quick access: Unpin extra Desktop links so only one stays in your favorites.
Mac Cleanup Tips That Prevent Mix-ups
When Desktop sits in iCloud Drive, Finder shows a small status next to each file. A cloud with a down arrow means the item is online-only.
Right-click and choose Download Now before you turn off the feature. This pulls a local copy so you don’t lose track during the switch.
If you turned the feature off and now see two Desktop folders, open iCloud Drive in Finder.
You may see a folder named Desktop and another named Desktop — <your Mac’s name>.
Open both, compare contents, and merge into the local ~/Desktop.
Once everything looks right, archive the old iCloud folder to an external drive or delete it after a short wait.
Two Desktops Because Of A Second Account Or Profile
On a shared PC, each account gets its own Desktop. If you recently migrated files, you might be looking at a mix of your Desktop and another account’s Desktop.
To test, sign out and back in with your own account, then browse C:\Users for older profiles.
If you find your data in an old profile, copy it into your current account’s Desktop.
Don’t move the entire folder tree; move only your files to avoid permission issues.
On Macs, a Migration Assistant session can bring in an extra user. If you used that tool, check /Users for an extra home folder.
Log into that account to confirm the old Desktop. Move files out using Shared or an external drive, then remove the extra account once you’re sure nothing is left.
What To Expect After Unlinking A Sync App
When you unlink OneDrive, the local OneDrive folder stays on disk. The cloud copy remains in your account online.
If you want a local Desktop, move files from OneDrive\Desktop into C:\Users\<name>\Desktop.
If you later sign back in, OneDrive creates a fresh folder; it won’t merge paths on its own.
Do a quick cleanup first so you don’t end up with another pair of Desktops.
When you turn off iCloud Drive’s Desktop feature, macOS offers to place files in a new folder inside your home directory.
You can accept that, then merge into ~/Desktop when ready.
Wait for iCloud to finish any pending uploads or downloads so nothing gets stranded mid-sync.
When Public Desktop Makes Sense
Public Desktop is for shortcuts you want every user on the machine to see, such as a browser or a shared app.
It’s not a place for personal files. If you see documents inside C:\Users\Public\Desktop, drag them into your own Desktop.
Keep Public tidy with shortcuts only. That keeps your view clean and avoids side effects for other users.
Default Paths And Where To Toggle Sync
| Platform | Default Desktop Path | Turn Off/On |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | C:\Users\<name>\Desktop (Public: C:\Users\Public\Desktop) | OneDrive > Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup |
| macOS | /Users/<name>/Desktop | System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options |
| Linux | /home/<name>/Desktop | Edit ~/.config/user-dirs.dirs then run xdg-user-dirs-update |
Keep Your Desktop Single And Predictable
- Pick one sync app: Don’t back up Desktop in multiple tools at the same time.
- Confirm the save location: In apps that save to Desktop, check the sidebar path before clicking Save.
- Pin only one entry: In File Explorer or Finder, keep a single Desktop shortcut to cut down on mistakes.
- Avoid renaming the folder: Stick to the default name so helpers and scripts find it.
Need official steps? Microsoft explains PC folder backup controls in OneDrive under Back up your folders,
and IT admins can see how Known Folder Move works in Redirect known folders to OneDrive.
For Mac, Apple’s guide on Desktop & Documents in iCloud Drive shows where to flip the switch.
A Clean Desktop, One Home
Once you settle on where Desktop lives, the duplicate view disappears.
Your apps save in the same place, your shortcuts stay put, and your files show up where you expect them.
If a second Desktop returns, repeat the quick checks above, adjust the setting that drifted, and move anything that strayed.
It’s a simple routine you can use any time you switch sync tools, sign in on a new device, or reconnect storage. Keep backups current and tested.