In Windows XP, under "Documents and Settings" there is a folder called "All Users" and others named after a specific user or users - in my case, "John". Inside each of these folders is a folder called "Desktop". Certain icons and app shortcuts for programs that were installed for "all users" appear on the "all users" desktop, so that anyone who logs in can access them; programs that are installed for a particular user, appear on that persons desktop. Normally, when I run Windows on a PC or, in the case of my Mac, via Bootcamp, I log in as "John" and my desktop is the one that appears on the screen. When running Windows XP under Parallels 6, I would also see my desktop and, when I first upgraded to Parallels 8, it showed my desktop correctly as well. Then, during a disastrous tech support call with a very impatient and rude support rep from Parallels, several settings were changed. Not only were the issues that I originally called about not addressed successfully, but now I'm experiencing something new: When I boot up Windows XP via Parallels 8, I log in as John, but the desktop that is displayed only shows the icons and shortcuts from the "All Users" desktop and not my individual desktop. The icons, files, folders, shortcuts, etc. that normally appear on my desktop are nowhere to be found. Oddly, however, the WALLPAPER that appears on the screen is the wallpaper from MY desktop! If I reboot my machine into Bootcamp, the correct desktop appears, with all the correct icons, files, folders, etc. The other thing that is odd is when I run Windows under Parallels now, not only are the icons limited to those that appear under "All Users" desktop, but new shortcuts appear that are "aliases" to folders on my Mac desktop, as well as a few "hidden" files that are opaque (ex. ".DS_Store"). I'm assuming this has to do with "Sharing" settings that were tweaked by the tech support rep, but I have no idea which settings to change back. I don't mind being able to share files, folders and disks across OS's - in fact I want to keep it that way - but I don't understand why my personal Windows desktop is no longer being displayed when I log in as myself! I would greatly appreciate any help I can get. John
I have exactly the same problem I only see files and folders from "All Users" and I see aliases to folders on my Mac's desktop. I am using Windows XP and Parallels 8 also. I want to see the my own desktop, under "Bud2". I had to delete my original login, which was simply Bud, due to some corruption, and that's when the problems began.
