Windows 7: Document & Settings

Why can't I see "Documents and Settings" In Windows 7. I have no trouble locating it in XP.?
Only had Windows 7 a few days and it is driving me crazy!!

There are a large number of threads on this subject.



The “My Documents and Settings” is not a user folder in Windows 7. It is called a junction point. If you have "Hide protected operating system files" unchecked, then you will see these junction points. It is intended that users have no access to these junction points. You can see that the folder itself is shaded out with an overlay.

The folder has been replaced by "Users". Each user account will then have Documents, Pictures, videos etc. (The "My" designation is no longer used). These junction points exist to provide backwards compatibility for older programs that are unaware, and therefore not constructed, to use the new folder structure in Windows 7. The install of the old program is redirected to the new location.

OIC. Well I want to get into Thunderbird to see Profile. In XP I would just go to C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles
How do I get there in Windows 7 please.? Also how do I uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" please.? Boy this Windows 7 is a learning curve. I am tempted into going back to XP.

Hi, Aljay, go to your user folder then "AppData" then either "Local" or "Roaming" to access the files you were used to finding in the old "Documents and Setting\UserName" folder.


To show the files, in explorer, click on "Organize" then "Folder and search options"


Click on the "View" tab and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files"


I don't recommend you go sniffing around in the "Documents and Settings" folder unless you know what you are doing as all files contained within are available through your User folder and the AppData subfolder.

I can't get to application data via Users folder. I go into Computer/Local disk/C:/users/My Name/ but it does not show "Application Data". I'm Lost.

That's because you want "AppData"

I See your attachment but how to I get to the MDL7 folder that you show. I certainly can't see it via Users. Sorry to be so thick but I could find my around XP no trouble but I admit I am struggling in Windows 7.

Hello Aljay -
I came over to 7 from XP so I know exactly what you're saying about a learning curve. Give it a few weeks and I think you'll be very happy with 7. If I can make a suggestion ... one of the nice things about 7 is how easy it is to make a system image. If you can get an external USB hard drive, make a system image (and the system repair disk) while everything is working. Then have at it and mess around with 7 as much as you like. If something breaks or the system crashes, restore the image and your computer will be exactly like it was when the image was made (OS, personal settings, updates, files, folders, data, etc.)

Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

If you'd rather use a different imaging program, a lot of forum users recommend Macrium Reflect Free. And one of the forum members created a sweet tutorial (thanks to WHS.)

The MDL7 folder is my user name. Your folder will have your user name on it. I mean, not literally. Just look for your user name where I have indicated in red "Your User Name":

Thanks for your encouragement. I have an external HDD so will look at that once I know what I am doing. LOL. I have worked out why I couldn't get to the AppData folder. I had files hidden. I guess I will find my around eventually. I am at the upper end of being a "Senior" so the old brain isn't as good as it once was. Cheers.