File Visibility in 32bit vs. 64bit Win7

[pmokover]

I have four PCs all running Win7 Ultimate. Three of the PCs have 32bit Win7 and the fourth has 64bit.

When I use Windows Explorer to view the following folder on any of my PCs I see all of the files and sub-folders in it: c:\windows\system32\tasks

I use the WinZip program to backup a number of folders on all of my PCs including the folder mentioned above. On my three 32bit PCs everything works perfectly. On my 64bit PC WinZip sees only one of the sub-folders and none of the files. (None of the files or sub-folders is marked hidden or read-only.)

I have no idea why that’s happening on my 64bit PC. I also have no idea if it’s related to 64bit vs. 32bit or whether that’s just a coincidence.

What might be causing WinZip to see only one sub-folder and none of the files in this folder on my 64bit machine? Any clues appreciated!

Thanks
Peter

 

[bmcdevitt]

have you tried How to show hidden files in Windows 7 ?

also make sure you are running winzip as administrator

 

[pmokover]

have you tried How to show hidden files in Windows 7 ? also make sure you are running winzip as administrator

Thanks for the reply. As I said in my original message none of the files or sub-folders is hidden. WinZip is running from an Administrator acount.

Peter

 

[sygnus21]

Not to be funny but does that mean you went to folder view and clicked the boxes to show all hidden folders and files?

have you tried How to show hidden files in Windows 7

You don't say if you did this, you just say they aren't hidden.

As I said in my original message none of the files or sub-folders is hidden.

Also, what version of Winzip are you using?

 

[pmokover]

Not to be funny but does that mean you went to folder view and clicked the boxes to show all hidden folders and files?

Yes. That's part of my standard setup for all of my PCs. Show hidden files & folders.

Also, what version of Winzip are you using?

I'm using version 15 of WinZip and the same thing happened with version 14.5 on this PC (my 64bit Win7 PC). No such problem on any of my 32bit machines.

Peter

 

[sygnus21]

Hmmm.... It may be an issue with Winzip under a 64-bit OS, even though the program has been compatible with 64-bit OS's since version 11.1

You might fire off an e-mail to tech support asking them. I mainly use Winzip to unzip files and thus am still on version 11.2 so I can't provide any further assistance.

Sorry.

 

[pmokover]

At this point I'm open to any possibility. I did already send a detailed message to WinZip support but have not heard back yet.

One of the interesting things about this problem is that it happens only in this one folder (c:\windows\system32\tasks). I do not have the problem with any other folder on my 64bit PC (any other folder of the ones that I backup).

Peter

 

[sygnus21]

I use the WinZip program to backup a number of folders on all of my PCs including the folder mentioned above.

One of the interesting things about this problem is that it happens only in this one folder (c:\windows\system32\tasks). I do not have the problem with any other folder on my 64bit PC (any other folder of the ones that I backup).

Why are you zipping them for backup? Why not just create an image of the entire OS.

Windows 7 can do that for you - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

It can also do regular backups for you as well - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/615-backup-user-system-files.html

Sorry if you already knew this, I'm just not getting the zip thing.

 

[pmokover]

sygnus21 Thanks for your reply.

I do several different levels of backup including periodic images of the entire C drive. The Zip backups are more frequent. But, the issue here is not about the best way to do backups.

The issue is why WinZip is not seeing files and some sub-folders in a particular folder on a particular PC. The files and sub-folders are there but WinZip doesn't see them so it doesn't include them in the backup zip file. Why doesn't WinZip see them?

Peter

 

[sygnus21]

Agree and understand. I was just curious as to the Winzip method. You answered it, and yes, this issue is why Winzip isn't doing what you want.

Anyways as I said before, I have no answer for you. Sorry

However If you figure it out I would ask that you let me know. Always nice to learn new things.

Good luck.

 

[pmokover]

Solution!

Here's the solution from WinZip Tech Support. I tried it and it does fix the problem.

On the 64bit PC use "sysnative" instead of "system32" as follows:

c:\windows\SYSNATIVE\tasks\*.* instead of c:\windows\system32\tasks\*.*

Explained in the following article:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384203.aspx

Thanks to all here who jumped in to help.

Peter

 

[sygnus21]

I'm not exactly sure what that's saying with regards to your zip issue, but you got a solution.

Glad you got it fixed, and thanks for letting me know.

Peace

 

[pmokover]

It's not really a WinZip issue per se. It's about how a 32bit program (WinZip) behaves in a 64bit environment when trying to access certain folders. I read the MSDN article and I understand the basic concept.

Peter

 

[sygnus21]

So did I to a certain point. I just didn't get the point with Winzip, especially since Winzip is supposed to be 64-bit compatible since version 11.1 and you have 15.

WinZip 11.1 introduced:

• certification for Windows Vista designation
• new Vista toolbar and program icons
• new Vista explorer-style user interface
• support for 64-bit Windows Vista and Windows XP
• support for 32-bit Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000
• new MSI packages for customized installations

Granted is doesn't specifically say Windows 7 but....

 

[pmokover]

The problem was actually caused by the command line I wrote not by WinZip itself. I told WinZip to look in a particular folder but given that this is 64bit Win7 I should have specified a different folder. I didn't know that but now I do.

Peter

 

[sygnus21]

Thanks for clarifying. Appreciate it.

Peace