Should I have access to all files in my account? I am an Administrator and when I show hidden and protected files, if I look at my username\AppData\Local\Application Data there is a little arrow on the folder and I am denied access to it. Also the History and the Temp Internet Files, as well.
In exploring, I'm finding, with all files shown there are many files that I can't open.
Why is this?
Thanks in advance!
Welcome
Claim owernship of the files
Take Ownership Shortcut
Then try using the secret administrator
Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable[2]=User Accounts
If you use both methods, the you should be able to use the files.
As a last resort try in safe mode, using the above methods.
Is what I'm experiencing normal Win7 behaviour or did I do something to screw up the permissions of the account?
There are lots of temporary and auxiliary files created by various programs in the process of installation or while running. Very often the developers think that users have no interest or even should not touch those files, thus they are created with such permissions that exclude users.
In most cases the assumption in true. Problem is, these files tend to accumulate and in order to remove them manually you need to take ownership.
Sometimes this may lead to problems since you are not always sure which files you may safely tamper with. Therefore one should be very careful with this. Make sure you have a good reason to do so. Just wanting to know or just wanting to be in control are not valid reasons - do you really know what those files are for?
Sure, most of them are simply junk, as in temporary files or logs that have no value once the program has been shut down. But not all. And given the usual cryptic file naming convention, one has to be careful.
To explain this, the folder that you are trying to access does not actually exist, it is in fact what is known as a symbolic link, a specialist type of shortcut, that is used for compatibility reasons.
As operating systems evolve it is sometimes found necessary to change the names of system folders. In order to better support backwards compatibility the symbolic link is used to redirect programs written for older OS's to the correct location without the need to re-write the application itself.
the data that was held in the Application Data area is now found in the AppData folder, and I would strongly advise that you do not change permissions on these symbolic links as you can hose the entire system with an unintentional change.
Clicking on the symbolic link once it is opened up, permissions wise, will appear to work as previously but it is a lot easier to simply follow the correct route, and without the possible side effects caused by accidental changes or deletion of the links
A technical explanation of links is available here ....
Windows File Junctions, Symbolic Links and Hard Links The Developer's Tidbit
Great explanation! Thanks!To explain this, the folder that you are trying to access does not actually exist
As operating systems evolve it is sometimes found necessary to change the names of system folders. In order to better support backwards compatibility the symbolic link is used to redirect programs written for older OS's to the correct location without the need to re-write the application itself.
the data that was held in the Application Data area is now found in the AppData folder, and I would strongly advise that you do not change permissions on these symbolic links as you can hose the entire system with an unintentional change.
Clicking on the symbolic link once it is opened up, permissions wise, will appear to work as previously but it is a lot easier to simply follow the correct route, and without the possible side effects caused by accidental changes or deletion of the links
A technical explanation of links is available here ....
Windows File Junctions, Symbolic Links and Hard Links The Developer's Tidbit
I'm having trouble enabling the Built in Administrator account with any of the described methods. I am running Home Premium 64bit. It seems that those are only options from Pro. Any suggestions?
Got it through the elevated command prompt. Argghh...
So far, Win7 is a PIMA!!
Much more complicated than XP, I skipped Vista... much greater learning curve I guess!!
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