Fixed: Can’t Move the Folder because There is a Folder in the Same Location in Windows 11
- Can't move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can't be redirected is an error that occurs when the user mapped a folder to another folder.
- Every time the user tries to change the folder’s location again, the operation will fail and show this message.
- One of our recommendations includes running SFC. Do not hesitate to apply the steps detailed below.
Transferring files and folders from one location to another is one of the very common tasks all users perform.
But recently, some Windows 11 users have reported seeing the error message Can’t move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can’t be redirected while trying to transfer anything on their PC.
This particular error will warn you if you try to move a folder into Onedrive, SkyDrive, etc. It’s a common error that users of Windows 10 also face.
However, while trying to change the folder’s location again, the operation will fail. It’s an issue of concern and should be fixed right away. So, in this post, we have compiled a list of some solutions that will definitely help you.
Why can’t I move a folder into another folder?
This error usually occurs if the user has modified the location of a personal folder and mapped the folder to another private folder. And when they revert it, the values don’t go back to normal.
For example, no error message will be displayed if a personal folder named Documents is mapped with Videos if you can’t move the documents folder out of OneDrive.
However, there are times when a message saying that If you go ahead with the redirection, you will not be able to restore it to the default location will appear.
It’s because Windows is not capable of reversing this modification on its own. Fortunately, you can resolve this error manually by following the steps mentioned below.
What should I do if I can’t move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can’t be redirected?
1. Set a default path
- Right-click on the folder you’re facing the problem with.
- Click on Properties.
- Navigate to the Location tab and click on Restore default.
- Once done, click on OK and Windows will set the path of the folder to default.
Make sure to copy all the files from the old location to the new location. Not doing so can lead to data loss.
2. Run SFC
- Click on Start, search for Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
- Type the following command and hit Enter:
sfc/scannow
- Once done, restart your device and check if the error is fixed.
Corrupted system files on your Windows device can also be responsible for this issue. If that’s the case, run an SFC scan to get rid of these files.
3. Run a quick DISM scan
- Click on Start, search for Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
- Type the following commands one by one and hit Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Restart your device once done and check if the error is resolved.
If you can’t change the location of the documents folder in Windows 10 or Windows 11, this can occur due to system image corruption. Running a DISM Scan will repair any image corruption on your device.
Several users complain about the fact that DISM sometimes fails on Windows 11. Rest assured that our guide shows you what to do in case that happens.
4. Tweak the Registry
NOTE
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and hit Enter.
- Once the Registry Editor is open, navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders - Refer below to find the registry key for the folder facing this issue. Then change it to the default value:
Desktop - %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Favorites - %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
Music - %USERPROFILE%\Music
Pictures - %USERPROFILE%\Pictures
Videos - %USERPROFILE%\Videos
Documents - %USERPROFILE%\Documents
Downloads - %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- Once done close the Registry Editor and open the Task Manager.
- Scroll down and search for Windows Explorer.
- Right-click on the process and select Restart.
- Restart your PC and check if the issue is fixed.
5. Re-link OneDrive
- Click on the OneDrive icon in the Taskbar.
- Click on the gear icon at the top and then on Settings.
- Now navigate to the Account tab, click on Unlink this PC, and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
- Close OneDrive and restart your device.
- Once done, open OneDrive and sign in again with your account.
If you can’t move the documents folder out of OneDrive, this error can also occur due to OneDrive sync issues. To solve this, try unlinking and then re-linking your OneDrive account. Also, you will not lose any data in this procedure.
Transferring data from one folder to another is an essential function on every Windows device. The Can’t change location of documents folder error in Windows 10 and Windows 11 can occur when you try to change the location of a folder again.
Follow the steps mentioned above to fix this error. If the troubleshooting methods mentioned above could not help you, reset your PC to factory settings.
Also, take a look at our article on what to do if drag and drop is not working in Windows 11. You can use the split-screen option, modify the Registry, or apply other tips that have been confirmed to work.
If you still have any issues, feel free to drop a comment below. We’re eager to hear from you.
