Library content scrambled.

[Peter Jason]

Win7 SP1

I tried to access some files in "my Documents" via
the Library in Windows Explorer, but these were
all strange and without folders.

But it was OK under the USER path.

Is there any way to reconstitute the Library "My
Documents?"

Peter

 

[Paul]

Win7 SP1

I tried to access some files in "my Documents" via
the Library in Windows Explorer, but these were
all strange and without folders.

But it was OK under the USER path.

Is there any way to reconstitute the Library "My
Documents?"

Peter

Libraries rely on some XML files. The file extension is
..library-ms.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/173029-libraries-hidden-empty-fix.html

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\*.library-ms

Or stated another way...

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\
Documents.library-ms \
Music.library-ms \___ The four libraries you see in explorer...
Pictures.library-ms /
Videos.library-ms /

So what you'd expect, is four files located in that folder.
You should be able to open a .library-ms control file
with Wordpad, as it's just XML. While normally, an XML
opens in Internet Explorer (and displays as a text file),
it's just as easy to open one in Wordpad.

Have a look at the file, and see if the strange things
you see, are related to any lines of text in the
control file.

Presumably, what "Restore Default Libraries" does here,
is put those four files back. But probably empty, so
anything added to the libraries is likely no longer
recorded. (The source folders you added to the library,
should not be affected.) If you get desperate and can't
otherwise fix the problem, you could try this fix. But
then, you'll need to "build" your library again. That's why,
if I was experimenting with it, I'd keep backup copies of
the (screwed up) .library-ms files.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/581-libraries-restore-default.html

If you have trouble getting to those files, rather than
messing around with the attributes or permissions, you
can use a Linux LiveCD and a text editor there to examine
the files.

Paul

 

[Art Todesco]

Libraries rely on some XML files. The file extension is
.library-ms.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/173029-libraries-hidden-empty-fix.html

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\*.library-ms

Or stated another way...

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\
Documents.library-ms \
Music.library-ms \___ The four libraries you see in explorer...
Pictures.library-ms /
Videos.library-ms /

So what you'd expect, is four files located in that folder.
You should be able to open a .library-ms control file
with Wordpad, as it's just XML. While normally, an XML
opens in Internet Explorer (and displays as a text file),
it's just as easy to open one in Wordpad.

Have a look at the file, and see if the strange things
you see, are related to any lines of text in the
control file.

Presumably, what "Restore Default Libraries" does here,
is put those four files back. But probably empty, so
anything added to the libraries is likely no longer
recorded. (The source folders you added to the library,
should not be affected.) If you get desperate and can't
otherwise fix the problem, you could try this fix. But
then, you'll need to "build" your library again. That's why,
if I was experimenting with it, I'd keep backup copies of
the (screwed up) .library-ms files.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/581-libraries-restore-default.html

If you have trouble getting to those files, rather than
messing around with the attributes or permissions, you
can use a Linux LiveCD and a text editor there to examine
the files.

Paul

Good reason I never use libraries .... of course, after one bad
experience.

 

[Char Jackson]

Win7 SP1

I tried to access some files in "my Documents" via
the Library in Windows Explorer, but these were
all strange and without folders.

But it was OK under the USER path.

Is there any way to reconstitute the Library "My
Documents?"

Before going down Paul's long road, (hi Paul), I would just remove and
recreate that specific library. It only takes a few seconds and if it fixes
the problem you're ahead of the game.

 

[Paul]

Before going down Paul's long road, (hi Paul), I would just remove and
recreate that specific library. It only takes a few seconds and if it fixes
the problem you're ahead of the game.

If you remove it, do you have to rebuild it again ?

Paul

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Before going down Paul's long road, (hi Paul), I would just remove and
recreate that specific library. It only takes a few seconds and if it fixes
the problem you're ahead of the game.

The original poster has to make sure he removes the library, rather than
deleting any files.

That confusion is part of why I avoid libraries - but let's not start a
discussion among ourselves - I just want to warn the OP not to get
caught in what I think of as "that trap".

 

[Wolf K]

The original poster has to make sure he removes the library, rather than
deleting any files.

That confusion is part of why I avoid libraries - but let's not start a
discussion among ourselves - I just want to warn the OP not to get
caught in what I think of as "that trap".

Seconded. OP should copy all document files etc using the User path(s).
Create a backup directory (folder) and copy the stuff in there. Only
then experiment with rebuilding the library.

 

[Peter Jason]

Libraries rely on some XML files. The file extension is
.library-ms.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/173029-libraries-hidden-empty-fix.html

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\*.library-ms

Or stated another way...

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\
Documents.library-ms \
Music.library-ms \___ The four libraries you see in explorer...
Pictures.library-ms /
Videos.library-ms /

So what you'd expect, is four files located in that folder.
You should be able to open a .library-ms control file
with Wordpad, as it's just XML. While normally, an XML
opens in Internet Explorer (and displays as a text file),
it's just as easy to open one in Wordpad.

Have a look at the file, and see if the strange things
you see, are related to any lines of text in the
control file.

Presumably, what "Restore Default Libraries" does here,
is put those four files back. But probably empty, so
anything added to the libraries is likely no longer
recorded. (The source folders you added to the library,
should not be affected.) If you get desperate and can't
otherwise fix the problem, you could try this fix. But
then, you'll need to "build" your library again. That's why,
if I was experimenting with it, I'd keep backup copies of
the (screwed up) .library-ms files.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/581-libraries-restore-default.html

If you have trouble getting to those files, rather than
messing around with the attributes or permissions, you
can use a Linux LiveCD and a text editor there to examine
the files.

Paul

Thanks Paul but they didn't work though the
"Windows Batch File (.bat) Unhide_Libraries"
seemed to restore some folders. Nothing in the
root directory though. Next I'll try dumping the
My Documents of the User directory into the
Libraries one.
Peter

 

[Char Jackson]

Seconded. OP should copy all document files etc using the User path(s).
Create a backup directory (folder) and copy the stuff in there. Only
then experiment with rebuilding the library.

I respect y'all's opinions but I think such paranoia is silly in this case.
The OP doesn't indicate that he's done any customization to the Documents
library, so it just takes a click or two to remove it and another click or
two to bring it back. It's one of the default libraries, so it doesn't need
anything beyond that to 'rebuild' it.

Removing a library, even a default library, doesn't touch the files, so I
wouldn't bother copying anything first. But maybe that's just me.

 

[Char Jackson]

Thanks Paul but they didn't work though the
"Windows Batch File (.bat) Unhide_Libraries"
seemed to restore some folders. Nothing in the
root directory though. Next I'll try dumping the
My Documents of the User directory into the
Libraries one.
Peter

I don't think you'll lose anything by dumping files into the library that
they should already be present in, but all in all that sounds like a mistake
to me.

 

[Char Jackson]

If you remove it, do you have to rebuild it again ?

Sounds like he hasn't customized it in any way, so no rebuilding necessary.
Just add it back by clicking on "Restore Default Libraries".

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I respect y'all's opinions but I think such paranoia is silly in this case.
The OP doesn't indicate that he's done any customization to the Documents
library, so it just takes a click or two to remove it and another click or
two to bring it back. It's one of the default libraries, so it doesn't need
anything beyond that to 'rebuild' it.

Removing a library, even a default library, doesn't touch the files, so I
wouldn't bother copying anything first. But maybe that's just me.

You are very experienced and knowledgeable, so things will work for you
that could trip up someone without those gifts.

 

[Peter Jason]

Sounds like he hasn't customized it in any way, so no rebuilding necessary.
Just add it back by clicking on "Restore Default Libraries".

This didn't work. But I fixed it by r/clicking
on My Documents in the Library and in the
Properties of this I clicked "Restore Defaults".

Of course, time will tell.