Windows 7: Win 7 Ultimate duplicate User Files: Normal?

Hi, 1st post so if you're feelin cranky go ahead, I've thick skin and a sense of humor (left it in my commodore floppy drive though, just a sec, I'll get it...)..

Would like to know:
1. Is it broke?
2. Do I have 35,225 or 70,450 files on my hard drive?
Conventional wisdom would lead me to 1. No and 2. 35,225 files.

Toshiba U505-2002
Pentium Dual Core CPU T4400 2.20 GHz
4GB Ram (LOL!)
Windows 7 Ultimate, 32 bit
100gb hard drive, 70gb available, external 500gb plus various usb sticks, etc.

The following two directories (with sub-dirs) 'exist' on my laptop:
(no complex explanation of why or how this is 'standard', just want to know if it's 'normal'

C:\Documents and Settings (35,225 Files)
Sub Directories:
Administrator
Default
Jim
owner
Public
Seven

C:\Users (35,225 Files)
Sub Directories:
Administrator
Default
Jim
owner
Public
Seven



Experience taught me, long ago, that the ANSWER, the WHY is hardly ever worth the time it takes to figure it out cuz it's really the FIX that one is most earnestly seeking, and I'm indifferent to pursuing the Phi Beta Kappa Sigma Cum Loudly learning curve since Windows 3.0 arrived, as long as there isn't, never was, nor ever will be a problem that hasn't been resolved with the proper tools, foot, hammer, etc., and/or knowledge of HOW to fix it..

For example, I don't have a single CLUE as to WHY my previous laptop began working again AFTER I tossed it out my fourth floor apartment window, missing the dumpster I was aiming for but I could hear my recording of John Belushi swearing that it wasn't HIS fault about 3 minutes after following my shrinks advice and heaving-ho then punching my sofa cushions... sigh!

Sooooo... Yes No... 35 or 70 thousand files?
THANKS VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP OR ONE-LINERS THAT I CAN RECYCLE...
O 3 <3 :O :v <(") (^^^) 8| (y)

Not normal.

What handy-dandy, super cleanup, speedup, wonder software did you install?

What software did you use to show that info?

Possible is that the 3rd party super program is reporting incorrectly.

Download TreeSizeFree, use same to display your C drive folders & subfolders,
Make a snip using the snipping tool of the display
Upload the snip.

For treesize free:
JAM Software - Windows Freeware

to make a snip:
Make a snapshot (Snip)
WIN | type SNIP | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save

WIN=key with the Microsoft logo on top.


===================
to upload:
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

You shouldn't even have access to Documents and Settings...

logicearth,
100% correct which I why I suspect a 3rd party program or other questionable activity.

Let's see what we will see.

For what it's worth (and NOT including any presumptive expertise exceeding that of my 11 year old nephew) I am 64, got my first TRASH-80 PC at 17, my fingers have touched a keyboard, daily, for the past 47 years.
I missed three years of grade school but I caught up at the Library.
So what you will see that you see is pretty much what you perceive correctly: a voluntary state of ignorance in the more advanced areas of operating systems and modern hardware. This MAY be coming to an end as your selection of tutorials is nothing short of AWESOME.

I, as the 'Secret Administrator', have taken ownership of most files and folders while 'sharing' all of the files on my PC. which I have done continuously for the 30 or 31 computers I have owned and operated.

Only had one problem (although my friends have been less fortunate), last year, Bronk Virus, this laptop.
Used KASPERSKY RESCUE DISK 10.0 to deal with that and although I found remnants weeks later, no attributable problems since.


Here is a list from my Program Files Directory.. (a list of Dir/Files in my root is below)
-if you do not recognize any that concern you please let me know and I'll give you the C.V. on them...

C:\Documents and Settings is not a real folder but only a link (Junction Point) to C:\Users. Windows 7 OS creates this link (with attributes Hidden, System and Directory) only for backward compatibility for older XP programs which look for this location to copy configuration files. Windows 7 OS does not need this folder. Hence it is hidden and locked.

You can see this folder only when you remove the check mark for Hide protected operating system files in Folder options. But you can not open this folder from windows explorer (Lock symbol on folder icon).

Third party explorers like xplorer2 will allow you to open it to show the same contents as C:\Users.

In reality the files are stored only in C:\Users and not in C:\Documents and Settings. This behavior is normal for Windows 7 OS.

Attached please find an Excel worksheet with a list of files, paths, sizes, dates and times just from scanning with ScanDir (skybird.net/ScanDir) copied to a text file using SysFileLister and then pasted to Excel.
These files are ONLY from C:\Documents and Settings

I tried that 'come buy this program if you really want it to be productive' tree thingy but found the non-hooked freeware programs that I have been using for years adequate enough for the moment.

Trying to remove that FILE LIST zip file... as it's superfluous...

Why do you have an autorun.inf in your root directory?

As others have mentioned, the C:\Documents and Settings folder is visible, but not traversable on a stock Windows 7 system. It's simply a junction to C:\Users for unaware programs, it's security settings are set such that they prevent these unaware programs from getting into an endless loop if they try to traverse the folders.

Unsure of what happens when you take ownership as you did; it's typically best not to make any modification to their properties (there are quite a few of these junctions and symbolic links on your system).

AHA! The light goes on... that sounds very very familiar, kewl, thank you very very much for your cogent assistance... Looking around to see if I can 'score' your reply....

[QUOTE=F5ing;1937525]Why do you have an autorun.inf in your root directory?

Never confirmed this however it seemed a harmless effort at the time: with that folder in my root I understood that another FILE of the same name cannot be run and/or added thus helping in some small way to avoid the less erudite of those wishing to, well, destroy computers... your opinion?