Two folders with identical (i.e., duplicate) names

Anonymous
2010-05-14T20:19:28+00:00

When I look at my drive E in the Windows Explorer, I have two folders named \Users in the root (using Vista with the lastest updates). When I look from a cmd box, I only see one.

I think the second one was created when I used Vista's robocopy to backup my C files onto E (e.g. "robocopy c:\Users\Steve e:\Users\Steve"), but (1) I didn't think you could end up with duplicate names in the same folder and (2) how can I specify which of the two files I want to copy files to?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2010-05-14T20:50:22+00:00

You can't have two folders with the same name in the same directory - something must be different (maybe an underscore at the end of one or something else).  I have no idea how or why this happened.  When you scroll through each of the folders are they identical in terms of contents (same folders, same files, you can open files from both folders,...)?  I'm not familiar with robocopy so I'm not sure if that was responsible (though it seems likely).  If  they are identical in all respects, just delete one and use the other one (or better, remame one to something else and save it elsewhere "just in case" - at least until you're sure the folder  you selected is working properly and there are no problems.  I'd give a month and then delete the other folder.

If you see only one in cmd then move some file to a different directory and then ccheck on Windows Explorer to see in which folder the change occurred (and verify it didn't occur in both).  Then you'll know which folder to use  and which to rename are indicated above.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+ --- If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-07-28T09:22:32+00:00

    I have a similar problem, so do not be snippy.  Somehow I have two identical folder called Download in my user directory.  This happened when I moved the folder using Properties Move and then moved it back.  They are absolutely identical with the same contents in the same user (my) user directory.  They both act as library files.  They cannot be deleted witout both of them being deleted...and then all of Windows Explorer will not even launch.

    This is a horrible bug.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-20T16:51:13+00:00

    I told you I didn't know how it happened and I provided procedures to test which one was being used - I answered both of your questions.

    I'm glad to hear it is resolved but sorry you felt it necessary to take such a drastic step when I provided safer options.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Good luck!

    Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+ --- If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-20T15:47:09+00:00

    "Different contents" means they have different files in the folders. THere are more than 100,000 files between the two folders. Yeah, I can definitely resolve it (heck, I can delete both of them). My inital two questions were (1) how could this happen and (2) how can I specify which of the two identically named folders can I specify which I want to copy to (e.g., COPY C:\somefile.* E:\duplicatedfoldername\*.*). Anyway, deleted both folders and restarted...

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-05-18T00:42:03+00:00

    When you say they have different contents, what do you mean exactly.  From reviewing the folders you should be able to tell which is the "correct" one by the contents.  Try the tests I suggested in my last post to see which folder shows the changes - then you should know for sure.  Then you can proceed as I allso suggested in my prior post and just give it time using the one folder and make sure everything works correctly before you deal with the other one.  It's up to you if you want to try my siggestions or not, but I think if you do you'll be able to resolve thii problem.

    Good luck!

    Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+ --- If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

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