Nancy
This is a common problem for users that are looking for the same folder
structure in Vista that was used in XP.
The folders you are looking at that appear to be shortcuts are called a
Junction or Symbolic Link. These folders are used for backward
compatibility, mostly for installation programs that are looking for an
old
system folder location. They appear where a system folder location, that
was
part of a previous version of Windows, has been changed in Vista. When an
older installation program is installed, these folders will redirect the
installation program to the proper folder in Vista. These folders contain
no
user information.
You can use a command prompt to locate the new folder that the Junction
points to in Vista
Press WINKEY+R and type cmd and press OK.
The command window should open at the C:\Users\<username> folder.
Type: dir /ahL and press the ENTER key. (Note the space in the
command)
The result will be a list of folders on the C: drive, here is an example.
<date> <time> <JUNCTION> SendTo
[C:\Users\<username>AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo]
This shows the old name of the folder (SendTo) with the path to the new
location in brackets.
It would be a good idea to print this list for future reference.
For reference, Here is the list of Junctions for a standard, clean
installation of Vista Ultimate on the C: drive. Office 2007 is installed.
Your results may be different because of different software being
installed.
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
C:\Users\username>dir /ahl
Directory of C:\Users\<username>
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> Application Data
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> Cookies
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> Local Settings
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents
[C:\Users\<username>\Documents]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> NetHood
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> PrintHood
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> Recent
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> SendTo
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION> Start Menu
[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu]
12/13/2006 03:15 PM <JUNCTION>
TEMPLATE[C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
(Where "<username>" is the name of the account you are currently logged
onto
the system with.)
The "My" designation for a user folder has been retired, so the old "My"
Documents, My Music, etc, is now called simply Documents and Music
respectively.
--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User
Nancy T. said:
I am in my user folder. I am the owner and administrator of this
computer.
However, it won't let me access several of the folders in my user
account.
Such as the Templates folder. When I click on it, it says:
"C:\Users\Nancy\Templates is not accessible. Access is denied." The
icon
on
the folder looks like a shortcut icon. It is the same folder as
AppDate,
but
with a little arrow pointing up and to the right down in the lower left
corner. If I right click on it and go to Properties, I am listed as the
owner. This is currently happening to the following folders:
Application
Data, Cookies, Local Settings, NetHood, PrintHood, SendTo, Start Menu,
and
Templates. I got the same message with my Music folder a few minutes
ago.
I
rebooted and now I can at least access that one. Any ideas?
