can't access folders

Jack C

New member
Local time
3:03 PM
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43
New to Win 7 and feeling my way around file management. Folders which I think I should have access to don't seem available. Examples:
c:\users\my username\application data
c:\users\my username\cookies
c:\users\my username\local settings
Also Print Hood, net hood, start menu

I tried right clicking and editing permissions under the security tab but it's a little confusing. "Everyone" already seems to have full control.

I am the only "user" and presumably have administrative privileges.
I'm glad to read up on this if you can give me a link. The Windows "help" module wasn't helpful.

Many thanks.

Jack
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Tecra R850
OS
Windows 7 Professsional 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7-2620M
Motherboard
n/a Laptop
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon™ HD 6450M w/1GB DDR3
Sound Card
n/a
Monitor(s) Displays
n/a
Screen Resolution
1366 X768
Hard Drives
500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
PSU
n/a
Case
n/a
Cooling
n/a
Keyboard
n/a
Mouse
Toshiba Nano Wireless PA3844U-1ETB
Internet Speed
Download 35.9 Mbps Upload 1.89 Mbps
Other Info
Laptop
Folders that Deny access or have an arrow on them are Junctions these are for old broken applications. See links in my signature. You should leave these alone. They are only there so old applications put there stuff into the new locations.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Alienware Aurora ALX R4
OS
Windows 10 Pro (x64)
CPU
Intel Core i7-3930K (3.2GHz - 4.5GHz)
Motherboard
Alienware Aurora-R4 x79
Memory
4x Samsung 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (16GB 1600MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce GTX 690
Sound Card
SteelSeries Siberia Elite
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp U3011
Screen Resolution
2560x1600
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 Pro 256 GB, Seagate 1TB Desktop Hybrid HDD, 2x Western Digital 4TB Green HDD
PSU
875W Some Dell PSU <.<
Case
Alienware Aurora ALX
Cooling
Custom Liquid Cooling (EK CPU & GPU blocks) dual EK 480RAD
Keyboard
Logitech G710+ Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G700s
Internet Speed
Verizon Fios (50 mbps average)
Other Info
Server: Intel NUC D54250WYK: i5-4250U, 16GB, 256 GB mSATA, Windows Server 2012 R2
Folders that Deny access or have an arrow on them are Junctions these are for old broken applications. See links in my signature. You should leave these alone. They are only there so old applications put there stuff into the new locations.
Logicearth,
Very, very nice and clear and complete explanation. Although I'm not managing a bunch of computers, I do very much like to know what is going on with my file management, so I do view hidden and system files.
I never used the "My" folders much on Win XP, so it may be easier for me to transfer some of my XP files and folders to Win 7. Perhaps I should now take a lot of the folders and subfolders I created under the root directory of Win XP and put them into the c:\users\my username directory.
Many thanks again. I put your extensive explanation into a pdf file and will use it as a reference, nice to have the new environment variables too.
Jack
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Tecra R850
OS
Windows 7 Professsional 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7-2620M
Motherboard
n/a Laptop
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon™ HD 6450M w/1GB DDR3
Sound Card
n/a
Monitor(s) Displays
n/a
Screen Resolution
1366 X768
Hard Drives
500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
PSU
n/a
Case
n/a
Cooling
n/a
Keyboard
n/a
Mouse
Toshiba Nano Wireless PA3844U-1ETB
Internet Speed
Download 35.9 Mbps Upload 1.89 Mbps
Other Info
Laptop
One more question... I still see some "my" folders which are not marked as junction points under the c:\users\<user> folder. Did MS change back to using the "my" designation after Vista? I don't see c:\users\<user>\documents folder.
Just wondering if I should use the "my documents" folder in Win 7.
I'm trying to arrange some sort of scheme to put my files in and don't want to put a lot of work into it if it's going to have to be redone. Thanks again.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Tecra R850
OS
Windows 7 Professsional 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7-2620M
Motherboard
n/a Laptop
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon™ HD 6450M w/1GB DDR3
Sound Card
n/a
Monitor(s) Displays
n/a
Screen Resolution
1366 X768
Hard Drives
500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
PSU
n/a
Case
n/a
Cooling
n/a
Keyboard
n/a
Mouse
Toshiba Nano Wireless PA3844U-1ETB
Internet Speed
Download 35.9 Mbps Upload 1.89 Mbps
Other Info
Laptop
Open one of the folders in question and then click once in the address bar. You will now see the actual physical path on the hard drive for that location.

There are no "My" folders physically created on the hard drive. The My designations are just pointers.

Example:
c users lee "my documents" is located at c:\users\lee\documents
c users lee "my pictures" is located at c:\users\lee\pictures

Bear in mind though that other software programs might still create actual folders with My in the name.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (Technet)
CPU
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo E8400
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5K/EPU Rev 1.xx
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro
Sound Card
Built in HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
22" Gateway LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
ST3160023A [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, rev 8.01, ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 2, rev 3.AAK
ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 1, rev 3.AAK
Keyboard
Logitech G11
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000
Internet Speed
13.44 Mbps
Open one of the folders in question and then click once in the address bar. You will now see the actual physical path on the hard drive for that location.

There are no "My" folders physically created on the hard drive. The My designations are just pointers.

Example:
c users lee "my documents" is located at c:\users\lee\documents
c users lee "my pictures" is located at c:\users\lee\pictures

Bear in mind though that other software programs might still create actual folders with My in the name.
I'm getting the picture. I see in the address bar c:\users\<user>\documents, but I see in the Explorer Tree "My documents". How confusing is that? I guess I'll get used to it, but it could get confusing if you wanted to write a batch file to copy something to or from that folder.
Many thanks again for your patience.
Jack
 

Attachments

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My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Tecra R850
OS
Windows 7 Professsional 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7-2620M
Motherboard
n/a Laptop
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon™ HD 6450M w/1GB DDR3
Sound Card
n/a
Monitor(s) Displays
n/a
Screen Resolution
1366 X768
Hard Drives
500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
PSU
n/a
Case
n/a
Cooling
n/a
Keyboard
n/a
Mouse
Toshiba Nano Wireless PA3844U-1ETB
Internet Speed
Download 35.9 Mbps Upload 1.89 Mbps
Other Info
Laptop
That's correct, the path has no "My" in Win 7, but in Explorer it does. At least it is how my clean install does it.
As example:
docs.png
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built Desktop By DataTech
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
CPU
Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No built in GPU
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Memory
16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek 5-1
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung P2570HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD for OS, 500GB Seagate Constellation (Enterprise drive) for Data
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Inwin Dragon Rider
Cooling
Hyper 212 EVO w/two Noctua fans, push-pull, @1300 RPM
Keyboard
E-Z Eyes, bright yellow keys with large characters
Mouse
steelseries SENSEI Laser Pro Gaming
Internet Speed
48-51Mbs Mbs down, 11 Mbs up Xfinity Cable
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security 2013
Browser
IE 10, Opera, Pale Moon if needed
Other Info
4 case fans, LG BluRay-RE, ASUS DVD-RW, Mr. Fusion power supply, 1.21 gigawatts.
The "My Documents" name comes from the desktop.ini file which provides a localized display name for "Documents" so other languages still have a "Documents" folder but it would be displayed in their language.

BTW, I do recommend you run with Aero on, not Classic. Aero itself runs and lives directly on your video card, Classic and Aero Basic are exclusively on the CPU and System RAM. Your video card is more then a power house on its own.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Alienware Aurora ALX R4
OS
Windows 10 Pro (x64)
CPU
Intel Core i7-3930K (3.2GHz - 4.5GHz)
Motherboard
Alienware Aurora-R4 x79
Memory
4x Samsung 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (16GB 1600MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce GTX 690
Sound Card
SteelSeries Siberia Elite
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp U3011
Screen Resolution
2560x1600
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 Pro 256 GB, Seagate 1TB Desktop Hybrid HDD, 2x Western Digital 4TB Green HDD
PSU
875W Some Dell PSU <.<
Case
Alienware Aurora ALX
Cooling
Custom Liquid Cooling (EK CPU & GPU blocks) dual EK 480RAD
Keyboard
Logitech G710+ Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G700s
Internet Speed
Verizon Fios (50 mbps average)
Other Info
Server: Intel NUC D54250WYK: i5-4250U, 16GB, 256 GB mSATA, Windows Server 2012 R2
That's correct, the path has no "My" in Win 7, but in Explorer it does. At least it is how my clean install does it.
As example:
View attachment 158250
Thanks, at least I can understand now why that apparent discrepancy isn't really what it seems to be.
Jack
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Tecra R850
OS
Windows 7 Professsional 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7-2620M
Motherboard
n/a Laptop
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon™ HD 6450M w/1GB DDR3
Sound Card
n/a
Monitor(s) Displays
n/a
Screen Resolution
1366 X768
Hard Drives
500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
PSU
n/a
Case
n/a
Cooling
n/a
Keyboard
n/a
Mouse
Toshiba Nano Wireless PA3844U-1ETB
Internet Speed
Download 35.9 Mbps Upload 1.89 Mbps
Other Info
Laptop
The "My Documents" name comes from the desktop.ini file which provides a localized display name for "Documents" so other languages still have a "Documents" folder but it would be displayed in their language.

BTW, I do recommend you run with Aero on, not Classic. Aero itself runs and lives directly on your video card, Classic and Aero Basic are exclusively on the CPU and System RAM. Your video card is more then a power house on its own.

I'm not sure what that means, but I will investigate and will surely take your advice.
Thanks
Jack
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Tecra R850
OS
Windows 7 Professsional 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7-2620M
Motherboard
n/a Laptop
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon™ HD 6450M w/1GB DDR3
Sound Card
n/a
Monitor(s) Displays
n/a
Screen Resolution
1366 X768
Hard Drives
500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
PSU
n/a
Case
n/a
Cooling
n/a
Keyboard
n/a
Mouse
Toshiba Nano Wireless PA3844U-1ETB
Internet Speed
Download 35.9 Mbps Upload 1.89 Mbps
Other Info
Laptop
Open one of the folders in question and then click once in the address bar. You will now see the actual physical path on the hard drive for that location.

There are no "My" folders physically created on the hard drive. The My designations are just pointers.

Example:
c users lee "my documents" is located at c:\users\lee\documents
c users lee "my pictures" is located at c:\users\lee\pictures

Bear in mind though that other software programs might still create actual folders with My in the name.
I'm getting the picture. I see in the address bar c:\users\<user>\documents, but I see in the Explorer Tree "My documents". How confusing is that? I guess I'll get used to it, but it could get confusing if you wanted to write a batch file to copy something to or from that folder.
Many thanks again for your patience.
Jack

It really shouldn't be...you always use the actual physical "address" in coding.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (Technet)
CPU
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo E8400
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5K/EPU Rev 1.xx
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro
Sound Card
Built in HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
22" Gateway LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
ST3160023A [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, rev 8.01, ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 2, rev 3.AAK
ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 1, rev 3.AAK
Keyboard
Logitech G11
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000
Internet Speed
13.44 Mbps
That's correct, the path has no "My" in Win 7, but in Explorer it does. At least it is how my clean install does it.
As example:
View attachment 158250

I don't understand your reference to "Win 7" and "Explorer"....Windows Explorer is a component of Windows 7.

Your address bar shows the true address. What you point to on the left is a "label" or a "pretty" name for the location.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (Technet)
CPU
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo E8400
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5K/EPU Rev 1.xx
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro
Sound Card
Built in HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
22" Gateway LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
ST3160023A [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, rev 8.01, ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 2, rev 3.AAK
ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 1, rev 3.AAK
Keyboard
Logitech G11
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000
Internet Speed
13.44 Mbps
That's correct, the path has no "My" in Win 7, but in Explorer it does. At least it is how my clean install does it.
As example:
View attachment 158250

I don't understand your reference to "Win 7" and "Explorer"....Windows Explorer is a component of Windows 7.

Your address bar shows the true address. What you point to on the left is a "label" or a "pretty" name for the location.
Re-read the whole thread.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built Desktop By DataTech
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
CPU
Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No built in GPU
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Memory
16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek 5-1
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung P2570HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD for OS, 500GB Seagate Constellation (Enterprise drive) for Data
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Inwin Dragon Rider
Cooling
Hyper 212 EVO w/two Noctua fans, push-pull, @1300 RPM
Keyboard
E-Z Eyes, bright yellow keys with large characters
Mouse
steelseries SENSEI Laser Pro Gaming
Internet Speed
48-51Mbs Mbs down, 11 Mbs up Xfinity Cable
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security 2013
Browser
IE 10, Opera, Pale Moon if needed
Other Info
4 case fans, LG BluRay-RE, ASUS DVD-RW, Mr. Fusion power supply, 1.21 gigawatts.
That's correct, the path has no "My" in Win 7, but in Explorer it does. At least it is how my clean install does it.
As example:
View attachment 158250

I don't understand your reference to "Win 7" and "Explorer"....Windows Explorer is a component of Windows 7.

Your address bar shows the true address. What you point to on the left is a "label" or a "pretty" name for the location.
Re-read the whole thread.

Still doesn't make sense :)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (Technet)
CPU
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo E8400
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5K/EPU Rev 1.xx
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro
Sound Card
Built in HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
22" Gateway LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
ST3160023A [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, rev 8.01, ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 2, rev 3.AAK
ST3500630AS [Hard drive] (500.11 GB) -- drive 1, rev 3.AAK
Keyboard
Logitech G11
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000
Internet Speed
13.44 Mbps
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