Can't Access "Default User" folder in Users Folder

Well, sadly, I didn't know any of this, and wasn't patient enough to find out what the hell it was there for, and why it's even visible because my settings weren't EVEN set to show hidden files, yet the booger was still there.

So right now I may make a new junction (unlikely) format the computer, or something else.

Speaking of which...

Can anyone tell me if formatting my computer with the Windows 7 CD (formatting it the correct way, via CD start up) and redownloading my drivers will make my computer faster?

I heard Dell pre-configures all sorts of crap that makes the PC run slow.

Meh...I'm not formatting my computer actually...not unless some stupid crap happens later on that I can actually detect lol.

Anyway guys thanks for everything, but as a final request, I was wondering what junctions ALL are for.

One time I heard it's for XP and 2000 compatibility issues, the next day I read it creates the default folders for a new user...are they both?

And I fully understand the second part. As for the compatibility thing...in that link by Logic Earth, I read "Windows looks for folders no longer used" so, what does the junction do, exactly, put unused folders in another location on the C drive?

Your Startup Repair link is the System Restore link...

Oh and dude, if you can actually give me the method to restore the thing I messed up to factory condition or its original condition...I will love you forever, in a coolzy way.

The thing I fiddled with un-intentionally, was the "Default User" thing that looks like a folder, but actually isn't a folder. It's a junction to "Default", and this junction was in the "Users" folder on my C: drive.

I have hope now :)

Wandering Flame said:

Speaking of which...

Can anyone tell me if formatting my computer with the Windows 7 CD (formatting it the correct way, via CD start up) and redownloading my drivers will make my computer faster?

I heard Dell pre-configures all sorts of crap that makes the PC run slow.

I don't think Dell is deliberately slowing your computer down... but yes they aren't exactly the best system tweakers around. And you know what... I used to get a lot of people with brand new Dells under their arms asking me to do exactly that... Reformat and reinstall.

One time I heard it's for XP and 2000 compatibility issues, the next day I read it creates the default folders for a new user...are they both?

The Junction is for XP and 2000 compatibility. It links the new "Default" user with the older "Default User" folder... making one appear as the other.

The "Default" folder --which is not the junction-- is copied to a new user's account when it's created.

These are two separate things...

Ok, since I know I messed something up, what is the best thing I should do?

System Restore Point - I guess this is to restore it, the junction to a previous point when I did a system restore, which is in the properties of that junction? If I see "there are no available restore points" then it's pointless right?

Repair Install...in the link given by Thorsen, what part of the Repair Install fixes the "Default User" junction and "Default" folder (since if I messed around with the junction then I essentially messed with the "Default" folder which the junction links to)? Is it the "Services" part? Because I was reading what the Repair Install fixes/resets and didn't find my issue there.

Startup Repair...Thorsen gave the Restore Point link to that one a second time.

Ok, system restore did not work, and I know I restored it way before I pulled a dumbass on my computer.

Startup Repair...will this affect any of my personal data by any chance?

Also, thought I should let people know that, while testing my affected computer out, by making a new user account, I couldn't even log on to it. It says User Profile Service service failed, User profile cannot load up or something like that.