# Question: Repetitive, probably - I cannot start IPFS desktop (Directory Missing Sharding File)

**URL:** <https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/question-repetitive-probably-i-cannot-start-ipfs-desktop-directory-missing-sharding-file/8974>\
**Category:** Help\
**Tags:** go-ipfs\
**Created:** [September 3, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/question-repetitive-probably-i-cannot-start-ipfs-desktop-directory-missing-sharding-file/8974 "2020-09-03T18:22:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bull](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/bull/32/4087_2.png) [@Bull](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/Bull)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/question-repetitive-probably-i-cannot-start-ipfs-desktop-directory-missing-sharding-file/8974/1 "2020-09-03T18:22:57Z")

</div>

Hi. I have searched for this question because it seems like it would be common. Here is the issue: I can install the IPFS-companion (Brave Browser), but when installing the IPFS-desktop (Windows 10 Pro), this desktop program will not run. It will try and run, but then errors at sharding file missing. I checked the error log and all seems well, except this entry:

> > Begin Log entry\>\>  
> > 1 2020-09-03T02:25:43.413Z error: [ipfsd] start daemon Error: Initializing daemon…  
> > 2 go-ipfs version: 0.6.0  
> > 3 Repo version: 10  
> > 4 System version: amd64/windows  
> > 5 Golang version: go1.14.4  
> > 6  
> > 7 Error: directory missing SHARDING file: C:\Users\jtodd.ipfs\blocks  
> > 8  
> > 9 Command failed with exit code 1: C:\Program Files\IPFS  
> > 10 Desktop\resources\app.asar.unpacked\node\_modules\go-ipfs-dep\go-ipfs\ipfs.exe daemon  
> > 11 --migrate --enable-gc --routing dhtclient  
> > 12 Error: directory missing SHARDING file: C:\Users\jtodd.ipfs\blocks  
> > 13 Initializing daemon…  
> > 14 go-ipfs version: 0.6.0  
> > 15 Repo version: 10  
> > 16 System version: amd64/windows  
> > 17 Golang version: go1.14.4  
> > 18  
> > 19 at makeError (C:\Program Files\IPFS Desktop\resources\app.asar\node\_modules\ipfsd-  
> > 20 ctl\node\_modules\execa\lib\error.js:58:11)  
> > 21 at handlePromise (C:\Program Files\IPFS Desktop\resources\app.asar\node\_modules\ipfsd-  
> > 22 ctl\node\_modules\execa\index.js:114:26)  
> > \<\<End Log entry\<\<

Any help on the error (line 12 and 7): directory missing SHARDING file: C:\Users\jtodd.ipfs\blocks ??

What I am using or have tried:  
Windows 10 Pro 64bit  
updated node.js, go, npm

* * *

Tried to install by downloading the file from GitHub, the same error occurs.  
Tried to install by using choco install…, the same error occurs.

* * *

Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Thank you.

- Bull sends.  
/s/

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![swedneck](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/swedneck/32/1533_2.png) [@swedneck](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/swedneck)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/question-repetitive-probably-i-cannot-start-ipfs-desktop-directory-missing-sharding-file/8974/2 "2020-09-05T12:23:19Z")

</div>

Can you try copying the ipfs directory to somewhere else, and then reinstalling ipfs-desktop?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bull](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/bull/32/4087_2.png) [@Bull](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/Bull)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/question-repetitive-probably-i-cannot-start-ipfs-desktop-directory-missing-sharding-file/8974/3 "2020-09-05T15:57:47Z")

</div>

Thank you. I deleted both directories, .ipfs and .ipfs-desktop, and then uninstalled the ipfs-desktop. After, I reinstalled and it worked. I appreciate the help.  
Take care,  
Respectfully,  
Bull sends.  
/s/

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vicroseofficial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/22d042/32.png) [@vicroseofficial](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/vicroseofficial)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 6:44am UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/question-repetitive-probably-i-cannot-start-ipfs-desktop-directory-missing-sharding-file/8974/4 "2022-01-06T06:44:38Z")

</div>

how did you delete the .ipfs directory? I’m having a hard time locating it. I have the same issue. I’m using mac M1. 😞