How to Resolve the "Desktop Refers to a Location That Is Unavailable" Error

This article offers three solutions to the issue where "desktop" refers to an inaccessible location. The table below summarizes the remedies. Please refer to the content for detailed information.

Translation into English:

Error Details and Explanation: (No specific text provided for translation, so I'm providing a general phrase.) "Please provide the error message or details you need translated for a more accurate explanation in English."

Occasionally, when your PC's system encounters a crash, you might log into an empty desktop upon starting your computer. You'll notice that your application and folder icons are missing, accompanied by an error message stating, "C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop refers to a location that is unavailable."

If this occurs, it indicates that your system files have become damaged or corrupted in some manner. A system crash can sometimes happen while the computer is shutting down or during a Windows update, leaving you utterly perplexed when you encounter this error for the first time. The full error message reads as follows:

"C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop points to a location that is inaccessible. It might be on a hard drive of this computer or on a network. Please ensure that the disk is correctly inserted, or that you are connected to the Internet or your network, and then try again. If the file cannot be found, the information might have been moved to a different location."

"To resolve the issue where 'C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop' points to an inaccessible location, you need to reset the default path that your computer uses at startup. You can achieve this by moving your desktop to 'C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\', ensuring that the path leads to your user desktop. Alternatively, you can restore the default path, or manually input the correct path for the system to access your desktop."

Before diving into editing the path to fix the 'desktop refers to a location that is unavailable' error, it's essential to create a system restore point. This acts as a safety net in case anything goes wrong during the process. Modifying the system carries risks, and the most effective way to prevent permanent damage to your system is by creating a system backup.

Create a System Restore point.

The simplest and most organized approach to creating a system backup is by using Todo Backup tools. This professional software's PC version offers completely free system backup creation and restoration. While there are paid versions available, they are not necessary for this purpose, as the system backup functionalities are identical in the free version.

The user interface is very intuitive and user-friendly. Let me show you how to create a system backup right now.

Download Todo Backup Free for PC

 

Step 1: Launch Todo Backup and Start a Task

In the left-side panel, choose System Backup.

Step 2: Initiate System Backup

Select your system, pick the location for the backup file, and click Proceed.

You can customize backup schedules to your preference before proceeding. If you only require this single restore point, no further actions are necessary.

Now that the safeguard is in place, let's address the "System32\Config\SystemProfile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable" error. This issue is more technical than creating a system backup, but we'll guide you through the steps to resolve it.

How to Resolve the "Desktop Refers to a Location That Is Unavailable" Error

Solution 1: Copy the path of the Desktop folder under Users to the desired location.

Since the error indicates an incorrect and inaccessible desktop location, simply locate the desktop folder within the Users directory, and then copy this essential folder to the path: C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile. This will allow your system to recognize your desktop.

1. Step 1: Open File Explorer in Windows 10/8.1/8/7. Navigate to the C drive, then enter the "Users" folder, and subsequently your specific username folder. Locate the "Desktop" folder within it.
3. Step 2: Keep the first File Explorer window open and open another one. Navigate to: C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile either by sequentially clicking through the folders or by directly typing this path into the address bar at the top. (For Windows 10, ensure "System32" is capitalized).
4. Step 3: Drag and drop the Desktop folder from Step 1 into the systemprofile folder. This completes the path. You can now click into your Desktop folder, and you'll see the displayed path as C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop.
6. Step 4: Restart your PC and check if the desktop location can be accessed upon startup.

Solution 2: Restore the Default Path

1. Step 1: Open File Explorer. Navigate to the C drive, enter the "Users" folder, and then select your username.
2. Step 2: Locate the "Desktop" folder, right-click it, and choose "Properties".
3. Step 3: Switch to the "Location" tab. Click "Restore Default". Press "Apply", then "OK".
5. Step 4: Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved upon startup.

Solution 3: Change Desktop Location via Registry Editor

If resetting the default Desktop location or altering the path to C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop (where your system was searching) did not resolve the issue, you can manually reset the path that your system uses to access the Desktop folder. This is accomplished through the Registry Editor.

1. Step 1: Press "Windows + R" keys together to open "Run", type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Step 2: Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders by clicking the folders sequentially or by copying and pasting this path into the top bar.
3. Step 3: In the "User Shell Folders" section, double-click "Desktop". Ensure that the Value data is either %USERPROFILE%\Desktop or C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Desktop. Click "OK" and then close the registry editor.
4. Step 4: Restart your system and verify if the issue has been resolved.

In American English, "Additional Solution - Data Recovery" remains the same. This phrase is a technical term that refers to the process of retrieving important information when data has been lost or corrupted.

If none of these solutions resolve the issue, it's possible that the problem lies not solely with the path configuration, but rather that your Desktop folder is missing or corrupted. In such a scenario, you would need to investigate further and attempt additional remedies, such as creating a new user account, repairing a corrupted user profile, reverting to an earlier version of Windows, or performing a Windows system repair through an in-place upgrade.

If data is lost during the troubleshooting process, you can utilize a data recovery tool to retrieve lost system files from your hard drive. This version offers free recovery for up to 2GB, so it's worth scanning to check if it detects any essential files. Use the software to search for your Desktop Folder or other pertinent data.

Once you have this data back, try the solutions listed here again if you still encounter the 'C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable' error at startup.