Fix: Can’t move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can’t be redirected

When trying to move or change the location of folders such as Documents or Pictures, you may encounter the error:

“Can’t move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can’t be redirected. Access is denied.”

This error appears when Windows detects a conflict while redirecting a system shell folder. Shell folders include Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Downloads, Music, and Videos.

Windows blocks the change when the new location already contains another special folder or when the stored folder path conflicts with the current system configuration.

Common causes include:

• Previous folder redirection changes
• OneDrive Known Folder Backup automatically redirecting folders
• Incorrect registry paths for shell folders
• Overlapping system folder locations

For example, redirecting Documents to a location that already contains another special folder such as Desktop creates a conflict. Windows blocks the change to prevent system folder overlap. A related message may also appear as “cannot redirect a parent into a child”.

Because Windows stores shell folder locations in the registry, correcting the stored folder path usually resolves the issue.

This method restores the correct User Shell Folder path in the Windows registry. If the registry value points to the wrong location, Windows cannot redirect the folder correctly. Resetting the value restores the default Windows path and removes the conflict.

Note: This process only restores the folder location to the default Windows directory. Your files will not be deleted.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, then press Enter. Click Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears.

2. In the Registry Editor address bar, paste the following path and press Enter:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

3. In the right pane, locate the value that corresponds to the folder causing the error. Each entry represents a Windows shell folder:

• Personal = Documents
• Desktop = Desktop
• My Pictures = Pictures
• My Music = Music
• My Video = Videos

4. Enter the correct default path for the folder:

Desktop        %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Personal       %USERPROFILE%\Documents
My Pictures    %USERPROFILE%\Pictures
My Music       %USERPROFILE%\Music
My Video       %USERPROFILE%\Videos
Favorites      %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
Downloads      %USERPROFILE%\Downloads

Note: The Downloads folder appears as a GUID entry in the registry:

{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}

5. Click OK to save the change.

6. Restart your computer so Windows reloads the updated shell folder configuration.

After restarting, Windows will use the corrected folder path and the “Can’t move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can’t be redirected” error should no longer appear.