In File Explorer click on D:\ and see if there is a Desktop folder.

The normal Desktop folder is under This PC which refers to C:\Users\user\Desktop.

Discussions

One of my hard drive failed, keep getting desktop unavailable error
I never intentionally redirect ... As far as I am aware my D drive is dead, it doesn't show up in my bios or anything. I checked the physical connection and it's connected property as well. ... If you're seeing "D:desktop unavailable" , then some things were indeed ... More on forums.tomshardware.com
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November 6, 2019
D:\Desktop is Unavailable on Dell Laptop
Hi, So yesterday when I started my Dell Inspiron 15 7572 up, this windows attached below showed up, I had tried removing the back cover of the laptop and the D: hard drive seems perfectly secured, but this problem still shows up, my laptop also seemed… More on answers.microsoft.com
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Windows update causing "desktop is unavailable" error
Download Microsoft Edge More info about Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge ... A couple weeks back, I was prompted to install a windows update. I accepted, and after it had installed and updated, I signed in to my account to find a black screen, and an error message saying: C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable... More on learn.microsoft.com
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3
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August 29, 2019
Error Message is D:\Desktop is Unavailable
If I go into file explorer and go to desktop I get this message. I think but can't confirm that when I backed up my files and folders to a San Disk flash drive I backed up the D drive and must have deleted it. Any suggestions? More on answers.microsoft.com
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June 27, 2021
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WinTips.org
wintips.org › home › fix: desktop is unavailable in windows 10. (solved)
FIX: Desktop is unavailable in Windows 10. (Solved) - WinTips.org
November 15, 2021 - The first method to resolve the "C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable" error is to fully shutdown the PC in order to force Windows 10 to reinitialize the device drives and the system files from scratch.
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Driver Easy
drivereasy.com › home › knowledge base › common errors › [solved] the c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is unavailable error in windows 10/11
[Solved] The C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable Error in Windows 10/11 - Driver Easy
September 29, 2025 - 6) On your keyboard, press the Ctrl key and V together to paste the Desktop folder into the current directory. 7) Restart your PC to test your issue. If your issue persists, check Fix 4, below. 1) On your keyboard, press the Esc, Shift and Ctrl keys at the same time to open Task Manager. ... 3) Type cmd then check the box next to Create this task with administrative privileges and click OK. 4) Type cd c:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile, then press Enter. ... Another fix to the “Location not unavailable” error is running Registry Editor.
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EaseUS
easeus.com › computer instruction › how to fix desktop refers to a location that is unavailable error
Look! How to Fix Desktop Refers to A Location That Is Unavailable Error - EaseUS
December 12, 2025 - This can be done by moving your desktop to C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\ so the path that is taken reaches your user desktop. Alternatively, you can restore to the default path, or manually enter the correct path for the system to take to your desktop. Before jumping into editing the path to correct the ‘desktop refers to a location that is unavailable error’, you should create a system restore point that you can go back to if anything happens to go wrong.
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DiskInternals
diskinternals.com › home › uneraser › desktop location is not available
Desktop location is not available? Use these simple and practical solutions! | DiskInternals
September 12, 2022 - And here's what you should do: 1. Copy “C:\Users\username\Desktop”. (This is the correct location of the desktop folder).
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › laptop › i40m9-computer-starts-message-d-desktop-unavailable.html
Fix 'Desktop is Unavailable' Error on Windows 10 | Expert Solutions
... D Drive not loading and saved website shortcuts failing to open on HP Envy Windows 10. The D Drive unavailability often stems from corrupted drive letters or faulty partition recognition.
Find elsewhere
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Tom's Hardware Forum
forums.tomshardware.com › home › storage
[SOLVED] - One of my hard drive failed, keep getting desktop unavailable error | Tom's Hardware Forum
November 6, 2019 - A 'reset' of Windows simply redoes things in its current configuration. A full reinstall will fix it, but that is rather drastic. ... If you're seeing "D:desktop unavailable" , then some things were indeed redirected. A 'reset' of Windows simply redoes things in its current configuration.
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Windows 10 Forums
windowsphoneinfo.com › windows 10 forums › windows 10 network and sharing
D:\ Desktop is unavailable - Windows 10 Forums
May 22, 2020 - It says the location is unavailable.: I lost access to some of my desktop folders. It says the location is not available https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-lost-access-to-some-of-my-desktop-folders-it/71028c90-78ab-4c9f-aa6c-a2fbf7253fd6 ... for my printer HP Desktop F4500 series computer says driver unavailable.
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MiniTool
minitool.com › home › backup tips › fixed – system32configsystemprofiledesktop is unavailable
Best Fixes: system32configsystemprofileDesktop Is Unavailable
November 28, 2024 - Double-click Desktop and ensure its value data is C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Desktop or %USERPROFILE%\Desktop. Click OK. Restart your PC to check if the issue still persists. To fix C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable, you ...
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Windows Report
windowsreport.com › fix › desktop is unavailable
Desktop unavailable after Windows 10/11 update [Fixed]
October 4, 2023 - Therefore, some third-party applications might start misbehaving which, consequently, might disrupt the performance. Open the File Explorer and enable Hidden items in the View tab. Navigate to C:UsersDefault. Copy the Desktop folder located in the Default folder.
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 3230592 › windows-update-causing-desktop-is-unavailable-erro
Windows update causing "desktop is unavailable" error - Microsoft Q&A
August 29, 2019 - If this location is on this PC, make sure that the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure that you're connected to the network or internet, then try again.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/windowshelp › d:\desktop unavailable, then available after a moment, on windows storage spaces hdd
r/WindowsHelp on Reddit: D:\Desktop Unavailable, then available after a moment, on Windows Storage Spaces HDD
November 22, 2023 -

I sincerely apologise if this issue has already been solved elsewhere. However, after much Googling I could not find an explanation or fix for this strange behaviour.

I have the following setup:

Windows Storage Space containing D:\Desktop
- 8 TB HDD
- running in reduced resiliency as I wanted to start a mirrored space and add the mirror later on, but I doubt this matters

When the PC is booted up, it says that D:\Desktop is not available. However, after clicking OK, the desktop loads normally and the D:\ drive is available. Perhaps this could be due to Storage Spaces taking a while to initialise?

While this would normally be just an annoyance, all the desktop icons' positions are reset, making it near-unusable. How could I fix this?

Possibly unrelated, but when browsing folders, photos show up in one order (say, 1,2,3), but when opening the Photo viewer and clicking next, it could go from 2,1,3.

Common issues I checked for / other notes:

  1. SMART for the HDD is all good, no reallocated sectors.

  2. Windows boots off an NVMe SSD.

  3. Storage Space is mirrored but missing one mirror.

  4. HDD model is Seagate Skyhawk.

Thank you so much for your help! This has been really frustrating.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/windowshelp › desktop unavailable error, rebooted, now my desktop files and others are missing
r/WindowsHelp on Reddit: Desktop unavailable error, rebooted, now my desktop files and others are missing
April 16, 2024 -

I really am desperate to find an answer for this.

Just an hour earlier I was just browsing on the web (not downloading) when I suddenly got the "C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable" error. I saw my desktop messed up, with only a few icons appearing out of many I had. I rebooted my laptop, then the error didn't appear anymore. However, the desktop looked weird, there were only a few icons present, but more than that of before I rebooted. My personal folders and files that were on the desktop were missing, I went into the Downloads folder and saw only my most recent downloaded folder present. A lot were missing. I'm not sure if any other data were lost aside from those in Desktop and Downloads.

I tried suggestions I saw online. I had my default desktop folder in my D drive (and never had any problems in the past), but I tried copying the desktop folder from C:/Users/Default/Desktop to C:/Windows/System32/config/systemprofile and adding permission for everyone. I also tried to do the same method but with the Desktop folder in my D drive. I also tried system restore to a point last week. Nothing worked, my files are still missing. There are a lot of important data missing that I haven't backed up yet. I really am lost in this, any helpful solution is welcome. Thanks.

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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 2154384 › how-to-resolve-location-is-not-available-error-for
How to Resolve "Location is Not Available" Error for OneDrive Folder - Microsoft Q&A
February 4, 2025 - Error Message: Location is not available F:\OneDrive\Desktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you're…
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AnyRecover
anyrecover.com › home › hard drive recovery › how to fix desktop refers to a location that is unavailable error
Fix Desktop Refers to A Location That is Unavailable Error
November 22, 2023 - Step 4. In the right pane of the window, open “desktop” by double clicking it. Step 5. Check that your value field is set to %USERPROFILE%\Desktop or C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Desktop · Step 6. Click Ok and restart your computer to save changes. Still no success? The next method for learning how to fix desktop refers to a location that is unavailable error is to try to restore the default path.
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Appuals
appuals.com › home › microsoft windows › windows troubleshooting
How to Fix "system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop" Error
April 24, 2024 - Ensure that ‘User Shell Folders’ is highlighted and selected in the left pane, then double-click ‘Desktop.’ Check that the ‘Value data:’ is either ‘%USERPROFILE%\Desktop’ or ‘C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Desktop.’ Click OK and close the registry editor.