Mystery Link in Windows XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Max
  • Start date Start date
M

Max

There is a mystery link that is at work in Windows XP's
Windows Explorer.

Open Windows Explorer
Browse to Documents & Settings\All Users

Copy the All Users Folder and place it in the root
directory.
Browse to "c:\All Users"
Rename "c:\All Users\Start Menu" to Start MenuXP

Close and reopen Windows Explorer

Browse to "Documents & Settings\All Users"
Examine the Start Menu folder. It also has changed to
Start MenXP
Browse to "Documents & Settings\Default User" (or ANY
OTHER USER PROFILE)
Examine the Start Menu folder. They also have changed to
Start MenXP

Open the DOS command prompt and examine "c:\All
Users\Start Menu"
The "c:\All Users\Start Menu" should have been the ONLY
ONE renamed "Start MenuXP"
However, it has not responded to the rename attempt which
it, and IT ALONE should have done.

I rebooted the computer in case this is a transient bug
and reexamined Start Menu folders. All still hold the
same name "Start MenuXP".

Note: This phenomenon would occur even if other user
profiles were used in this experiment instead. I also
have observed this phenomenon in other folders and sub
folders also besides the Start Menu folder.

Does this mystery link mean that if I delete the "C:\All
Users" folder or delete or alter any of its contents that
the original "Documents & Settings\All Users" folder or
its contents would be affected also?

I have not read anything about it in Windows XP help nor
have I succeeded in finding any thing about it in the
Microsoft Knowledge base. I have no idea where else this
mystery link exists on my computer. As a result of this,
I am afraid to rename or delete files or folders fearing
that some important folder or file somewhere may get
altered, renamed or deleted without my intention.

What gives?

Thanks.
Max
 
This is a design flaw in the Microsoft Windows Operating
system. Microsoft has acknowleged that this problem
exists at least since August 2002 however they do not
appear to have resolved the problem it date.

See Microsoft Knowledge Article 303591
 
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