Like the universe, my AppData Folder keeps expanding & expanding

[Mikemw]

I have no idea what is going on with my system.
I try to install a program and get an error message saying that it is unable to write to C:\Users\[MYNAME]\AppData\Local\Temp
So I open Windows Explorer and check the attributes for that address and all is OK but every time I click on the Application Data folder it seems to replicate itself over and over.
One error says that there is not enough space when I have over 65Gb free on that drive.
Any ideas?

Mike

Screenshots:http://cid-72252c79ec533de7.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Windows%207%20Problems?uc=1
My System details
Dell XPS420
Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1, v.721 (build 7601
2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad Q6600
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
4096 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Not hyper-threaded
Bus Clock: 1066 megahertz
8126 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
2000.20 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
723.55 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series [Display adapter]
DELL E207WFP [Monitor] (20.0"vis, s/n G264H8770DZL, July 2008)
ATI High Definition Audio Device
Creative SB X-Fi
Webcam Pro 9000

 

[Ztruker]

The Application Data folder under AppData is a Junction point, which is just a pointer to AppData. So when you click on Application Data you are actually expanding AppData, so you are in a never ending circle.

Confusing for sure. From what I understand, this was done to support compatibility with older software that expects an Application Data folder to be available.

Here are two very good articles on Junctions as used in Vista and Windows 7.

Windows Confidential - Junction Dysfunction - Raymond Chen

Junction Points in Vista

 

[Mikemw]

Thanks Rich, I'll have a crack at it tonight and let you know how I get on.

Regards,
Mike

 

[logicearth]

The fact that you can access "Application Data" means permissions were altered, permissions that should not have been.

 

[MacGyvr]

I have no idea what is going on with my system.
I try to install a program and get an error message saying that it is unable to write to C:\Users\[MYNAME]\AppData\Local\Temp
So I open Windows Explorer and check the attributes for that address and all is OK but every time I click on the Application Data folder it seems to replicate itself over and over.
One error says that there is not enough space when I have over 65Gb free on that drive.
Any ideas?

Mike

Screenshots:http://cid-72252c79ec533de7.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Windows%207%20Problems?uc=1
My System details
Dell XPS420
Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1, v.721 (build 7601
2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad Q6600
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
4096 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Not hyper-threaded
Bus Clock: 1066 megahertz
8126 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
2000.20 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
723.55 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series [Display adapter]
DELL E207WFP [Monitor] (20.0"vis, s/n G264H8770DZL, July 2008)
ATI High Definition Audio Device
Creative SB X-Fi
Webcam Pro 9000

Use System Restore to go back to point in time before you altered the permissions on "Application Data."