Infinite Application Data

While trying to fix a problem with Java working properly, I discovered that when going to Documents and Setting\username\App Data\Local, that the Application Data folder contains another Application Data folder, and it another, then another, etc. Each Application Data folder has a shortcut arrow marking it. When I open the Properties for the first one, and then select the Previous Versions tab, it displays a list of Application Data folders with a variety of dates.

When reading the help, it says that the previous versions are created by either System Restore or Backup. I have used System Restore only once, but I have never setup Backup at all.

Since I have fixed the Java problem in both IE8 and Firefox, I thought that I would try the same with Opera by reinstalling it on itself, but the installer wasn't able to see the source file, and when using Windows Explorer I wasn't either.

Perhaps the only solution is a fresh clean install of the OS, but I'm not anxious to do so. Since it's not clear what caused the problem that exists, the new install may end up the same way.

Any ideas? I'm all ears.

I can understand why no one has replied, because it is a strange problem, but I don't understand why this has gotten so little readership.

This is the reason why the various junction points have the "DENY" permission on them so infinite loops like this do not happen....

I'm not certain that I understand that, but your response suggests that the cause of my problem may have been due to my use of the Take Ownership program here:

Add "Take Ownership" to Explorer Right-Click Menu in Win 7 or Vista :: the How-To Geek

It is the primary, if not sole means that I have changed any permissions, but I have used it extensively in my x32 installation of W7 without any incidents. Maybe x64 just doesn't like it. If that be the case, is there a way to correct it?

If you are going though "Document and Settings" then going to "Application Data" that is located in AppData\Local, and so forth. That means you removed the the DENY permission that kept you from doing so, in turn causing an infinite loop. That Application Data junction points to AppData\Local and ever one there after does the same. You can see the problem can't you?

Vaguely, but I need to be able to access those folders to be able to manage some of my programs. Even if I reinstall the OS from scratch, I still need a means to be able to enter these folders...How?

But before making any decision about reinstalling the OS, I need to know if there is any method to correct the problem that exists now?

seekermeister said:

Vaguely, but I need to be able to access those folders to be able to manage some of my programs. Even if I reinstall the OS from scratch, I still need a means to be able to enter these folders...How?

By going to the REAL location.
http://www.svrops.com/svrops/articles/jpoints.htm

You might have noticed when clicking on a folder in Windows Explorer, with a shortcut icon on it (a Junction Point), you get an Access Denied message from Vista. This is to be expected. As mentioned above, the Read permission for Junction Points is set to Everyone – Deny. You are not supposed to access these folders, and there really is no reason to access these folders. Again, these Junction Points are just pointers to the new folder structure used in Vista.

I...delete the junctions myself. I never needed them.

Thanks, but it is going to take me a while to digest the data in that link.

The "Application Data" folder is no longer used by Windows. What you see called Application Data is merely a placeholder for backwards compatibility. It points to AppData. You should not have messed with the Application Data junction point, and doing so has caused the problem you are having. If you needed access to something in what used to be the Application Data folder, it would now be located under AppData.

Do a System Restore back to a point in time before you fiddled with the permissions/ownership.

MacGyvr said:

Do a System Restore back to a point in time before you fiddled with the permissions/ownership.

Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be possible, because there is only one restore point shown, even when I check the box to show more, and that restore point is for today, which wouldn't do any good.