Can't straighten out my folders...their order is very messed up.

This is caused by dragging, intentionally or accidently, the special user folders like desktop, documents, favourites, etc.

You have two desktop folders. One in the traditional place under c:\users\ceil. And one under the c:\users\ceil\Searches folder. Windows thinks the one under the Searches folder is the correct one.

Find both folders. Right click then Properties. Do both, one , or neither have a Location tab. The one with the Location tab is going to be your Desktop folder. If both have one, choose one (the one with the most files?).

Explorer can be configured to show or hide hidden files. Alt + T - Folder Options - View tab and look for Show Hidden Files and Folders.

Move all files into the one you want to keep. They will disapper from the actual desktop if moved from the one under Searches till the next step.

Which one are we keeping.

The one under the Ceil Searches folder is the correct one as it has my desktop folders, many of which are not on the desktop anymore. 

The c:\users\ceil does NOT have a Location tab. the Searchers one has the tab. 

How do I save those items in the c:\users\ceil? While it would be easier to get the items out of the Searches folder and send them to the other, this isn't the one with the Locations tab.

All we need do is empty the one under ceil, delete it, then on the one under searches, right click it - Properties - Location tab -click Move - browse to c:\users\ceil. Done.

If you can't delete c:\users\ceil\desktop in Explorer then try the command prompt. The folder must be empty for below to work.

Start - All Programs - Accessories - Right click Command Prompt and choose Run As Administrator. Type (or copy and paste by right clicking in the Command Prompt window and choosing Paste).

attrib -r -s -h "c:\users\ceil\desktop"

rd "c:\users\ceil\desktop"

How to transfer.

• Open a folder window at c:\users\ceil\desktop.
• Explorer can be configured to show or hide hidden files. Alt + T - Folder Options - View tab and tick Show Hidden Files and Folders.
• Press Ctrl + A to select all items.
• Right click one of the selected items and choose Cut. This will cut all items.
• Go to c:\users\ceil\searches\desktop.
• Right click a blank spot in the folder - Paste.

Ran into a snag as in c:\users\ceil\desktop as there is a folder named "desktop" (!) and a folder that has the same name but different contents as one in the destination folder.  I know how to fix this but must go help someone move.  I will work on this when I return.