My Documents folder just disappeared

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1

My Documents folder just completely disappeared!!

CPU: 8-core Intel Core i9-9900KF (-MT MCP-) speed/min/max: 800/800/5000 MHz
Kernel: 6.1.92-1-MANJARO x86_64 Up: 1d 1h 53m Mem: 4.72/62.71 GiB (7.5%)
Storage: 12.74 TiB (36.6% used) Procs: 360 Shell: Bash inxi: 3.3.35

I was copying some files in my Downloads folder to a new folder I just created. Then I clicked on my Documents folder and I get a dialog that says “Failed to open… no such file or directory”

I opened a terminal and it’s not there!!

ANY help is appreciated!! I have not shut down or rebooted!!

2

May be you have accidentally drag-and-drop the Documents folder into another one?

3

I checked that.

I also opened a terminal and did a search for the Documents folder.

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4

If the search was using Locate, remember sudo updatedb before.

With ls ~ -a command appears something unusual?

5

I did sudo find / -name "Documents"

I also tried ls ~ -a earlier with no luck

6

Can you try searching by the name of any document you know it was inside the folder (that’s thinking the folder can have been renamed)?

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7

Ahhhhh!!! You saved me!!

Somehow the Documents folder got moved inside another folder that ALSO had its OWN Documents folder! That’s why I ignored it when I did the first search!

My only question now is- HOW did that happen?? I wasn’t anywhere near either of those folders. I was inside my Downloads folder and I was dragging files within Downloads to a subfolder inside Downloads.

It would be nice if there was some confirmation dialog when you’re moving an entire folder, but I don’t think XFCE has that?

8

Glad to read this. :+1:

I don’t know what could happen, it’s not unusual that people touch the mouse left button while moving and thus accidentally drag-and-drop a folder inside another, but this does not create a Documents/Documents folder. :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

9

I certainly am clumsy but I don’t see how I could have dragged the Documents folder when I was inside the Downloads folder.

I had a backup of my Documents folder from last week but I just backed it up now.

Thanks again!!

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10

From your description, the Documents directory was moved - at some point (most likely prior to the Downloads directory operations). The most likely culprit is inattention during drag/drop; or possibly still having Documents selected during a related copy/paste operation.

Either way, and in the words of HAL - “It can only be attibutable to Human error” - the directories don’t move themselves. :wink:

There doesn’t seem to be any setting to prompt before moving files/directories (except in the case of Trash operations). You could potentially set a custom Send to action with certain directories set as the target, but how effective that will be, I can’t say. Generally, the best resolution is to always make sure when you copy/paste, or drag/drop, that the directory concerned is the intended target.

I’m uncertain what other file managers might offer a confirmation prompt, however (if the issue warrants it) you might consider installing an additional (and compatible) file manager.

Cheers.

Edit:- I seem to recall PCmanFM had a confirmation prompt, of sorts, so that might be worth your time to investigate further. Per-directory sorting is another advantage.

sudo pacman -S pcmanfm

This is also one of the less intrusive file managers; it’s low on depencencies.

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11

Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner :star_struck:

12

It’s Lennart’s fault…

systemd-draganddropd

:rofl:

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