'get file from folder' won't allow access to folders that aren't on the 'Desktop'

[photech]

I am only able to access a folder on the desktop and not on a local drive. I originally managed open a different folder, but since creating a test folder on the Desktop I haven't been able to select a different location.

[momlo]

Where exactly are those folders?

Lack of permissions to the file system outside of the user's profile?

Or perhaps some security software protects your file system, for example, against malware?

[photech]

Nothing has changed, the folders are on local drives it's like the settings in a previous flow have been set as default for new flows even though I have deleted the one pointing to the desktop. 

[momlo]

can you post your code and the exact location of folders?

[photech]

This is what happens when I run the 'Open a folder' example, as you can see it sets the root folder as the desktop.

[momlo]

Oh ok, now I understand.

I have tested with these PAD/OS versions:

1. PAD 2.23.114.22217 @ Win Server 2019, Premium license, corporate account - No issues - I was able to browse entire file system

2. PAD 2.25.00182.22280 @ Win 11 Pro, free license, personal account - No issues - I was able to browse entire file system

3. PAD @ Win 11 Pro, free license, personal account - No issues - I was able to browse entire file system

In all cases PAD ran as a regular user, no elevated/privileged permissions.

I would do test such below:

• test with different regular user and/if with run as admin to see if this is your user's permission issue.
• reset PAD entirely for your user, by deleting it's folder from C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Power Automate Desktop

[photech]

Tried deleting the PAD folders as suggested, still no change. 😞

Tried 'Reset' on the app, no change. 😞

Tried another user account and got the result I expected. 😀

So somewhere in my profile is a setting for 'initialfolder' set to 'Desktop' but I can't find it.

[photech]

I've now tried uninstalling the app, deleting any folders I could find then reinstalling and I still get the 'Desktop' folder as my initial folder.

[VJR]

Can you edit the example given by PAD and show what is written in that action?

Also run from inside the editor and see if you get the same.

It is a default example given by PAD so make sure you save a copy before making any changes to this one.

[photech]

The example is run without any changes, I have even stepped through the flow and monitored the variables, they show the selectedfolder as 'Documents' but the box still pops up with 'Desktop' as the root level.

[momlo]

I didn't notice it was the actual example from within PAD, however I still able to get full list of the folders when I run it directly from examples, both Win 11 and Server OS.

Hmm so I understand you are able to run it without problems on another user.

Tried another user account and got the result I expected. ‌‌

I get the same, but I am able to go to This PC and browse entire file system.

they show the selectedfolder as 'Documents' but the box still pops up with 'Desktop' as the root level.

What comes to my mind is that maybe you are using Windows Defender with Ransomware protection (controlled folder access) ON or equivalent feature with 3rd party software.

What is does, it prevents applications from accessing certain folders, to prevent encrypting them.

Perhaps PAD is not whitelisted and is unable to access anything but Desktop folder?

Just guessing though

/edit

What happens when you copy the example and set root folder to C: and run it?

Does it give you any errors? Perhaps we will see permissions denied or similar there

[photech]

How do I set the root folder to C:\ it's not in the list of special folders and I've tried setting the ones in the list and still get 'desktop'

[momlo]

Just typed in into the "initial folder" as a text not variable

Message boxes - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn

[photech]

I still get the same 'desktop'

[momlo · Accepted solution]

Man, that's interesting.

Maybe try to delete the PAD stuff from your profile?

Backup these just in case.

You will need to login again.

C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Power Automate Desktop

C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PAD.Console.Host.exe_StrongName_zzzzz

C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PAD.Designer.exe_StrongName_zzzzzz

//edit2

Found this exact issue affecting Windows 11 when OneDrive folder backup is enabled. This is OneDrive bug!

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-11-browse-for-folder-dialog-issue-only...

You can disable Desktop sync via OneDrive client:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/back-up-your-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28...

Or use this workaround if you want to keep your desktop syncing:

..or perhaps update your One Drive client and  Win 11 as I have tested o Win 11 Pro 21H2 22000.1281 and OD client 21.11.022 and the issue is not affecting me.

[photech]

I Merged the regkey above and it works fine, at last a working solution. 

I also updated to 22H2 recently.