Files and Folders missing in My Documents

I don't know if I'm just loosing my mind or if this is actually happening. But if I have a folder or file in my documents and not touch it for a few months, I swear it like deletes itself on it's own 0_0 A couple times I've noticed that they make themselves invisible and I don't notice it unless I do the "show all hidden files/folders" check box. But today I noticed this folder to a sound track I have no longer seems to be on my computer. I know I can be trigger happy with deleting things sometimes, but I'm pretty sure I didn't delete it. I don't think its viruses or malware or anything either, as I run both my anti virus and anti spyware programs on full system scan and nothing other then my usual tracking cookies from sites like my space and that such is detected. Has this happened to anyone else before with Windows Seven?

SectorStar,
I've no idea of how you are doing yourself in, but under the circumstances:

1. I strongly recommend that you start using the best, most reliable, and easiest to use backup software available, namely, Window 7's own Backup & Restore. Try it out.

2. Download an excellent free recovery software, Recuva, Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download

For simple file/folder type backups, you might want to take a look at another free microsoft product, SyncToy,
Download details: SyncToy 2.1

If you are looking at Documents and Settings, it is no longer a real folder. It is a link (junction) to the new location for such files which is under /Users/<user name>. It does not exist at all on a new installof W7 I don't think (I don't have one at all right now).

It only gets created when some older program tries to write to it, the OS creates the junction from there to the proper place in the user folder. So I guess if some number of days or weeks goes by and that junction is not used again it may dissapear on it's own?

It's very existance ever is a frequent issue here on the boards as people try to navigate into it and delete files and permissions won't let you. One of the more confusing aspects of 7 ...

If not then.. never mind! :)

karlsnooks said:

SectorStar,
If you would like to see all of the links (junctions included), then go to a command prompt, change to the root folder, and type dir /s /al

In other words,
WIN key (that's the one with the funny looking wavy flag on it)
type CMD.EXE (do NOT hit enter yet)
Right-click on CMD.EXE in the list shown
Choose "Run as administrator"

You will now be at a command prompt (most probably c:\users\ausername)
type CD \
hit Enter
type Dir /s /AL
hit Enter

Now you will see all of the forwarding addresses (links) used by Win7 and your applications.

Oh yes, to get back:
type EXIT
hit Enter

There's a much easier way to do this...

Open windows explorer... In the address bar (not the search bar) on the upper left of the window, type %homepath% then hit enter... takes you right to it.

To reveal the path in DOS format just click on the folder icon in the left edge of the address bar....

commontater,
You might want to try %systemdrive%

That will get you there.

Now how did you plan to get a complete list of all links on the systemdrive?

karlsnooks said:

commontater,
You might want to try %systemdrive%

That will get you there.

Now how did you plan to get a complete list of all links on the systemdrive?

Ah, I see where you were heading...

With %systemdrive% he'll also need to set WE to show hidden files....

I thought, originally, you were just trying to get him into his user folder....

karlsnooks said:

commontater,
Now I understand your answer. My objective was to get him to a command prompt, then to the root directory so that DIR /S /AL would list all links.

Yeah... I realized that on the second go round....

Don't let me get in the way...