Document & Settings

[Aljay]

Why can't I see "Documents and Settings" In win7. I have no trouble locating it in XP.?
Only had win7 a few days and it is driving me crazy!!

 

[davehc]

There are a large number of threads on this subject.



The “My Documents and Settings” is not a user folder in Windows 7. It is called a junction point. If you have "Hide protected operating system files" unchecked, then you will see these junction points. It is intended that users have no access to these junction points. You can see that the folder itself is shaded out with an overlay.

The folder has been replaced by "Users". Each user account will then have Documents, Pictures, videos etc. (The "My" designation is no longer used). These junction points exist to provide backwards compatibility for older programs that are unaware, and therefore not constructed, to use the new folder structure in Windows 7. The install of the old program is redirected to the new location.

 

[Aljay]

There are a large number of threads on this subject.



The “My Documents and Settings” is not a user folder in Windows 7. It is called a junction point. If you have "Hide protected operating system files" unchecked, then you will see these junction points. It is intended that users have no access to these junction points. You can see that the folder itself is shaded out with an overlay.

The folder has been replaced by "Users". Each user account will then have Documents, Pictures, videos etc. (The "My" designation is no longer used). These junction points exist to provide backwards compatibility for older programs that are unaware, and therefore not constructed, to use the new folder structure in Windows 7. The install of the old program is redirected to the new location.

OIC. Well I want to get into Thunderbird to see Profile. In XP I would just go to C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles
How do I get there in win7 please.? Also how do I uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" please.? Boy this win7 is a learning curve. I am tempted into going back to XP.

 

[mikedl]

There are a large number of threads on this subject.



The “My Documents and Settings” is not a user folder in Windows 7. It is called a junction point. If you have "Hide protected operating system files" unchecked, then you will see these junction points. It is intended that users have no access to these junction points. You can see that the folder itself is shaded out with an overlay.

The folder has been replaced by "Users". Each user account will then have Documents, Pictures, videos etc. (The "My" designation is no longer used). These junction points exist to provide backwards compatibility for older programs that are unaware, and therefore not constructed, to use the new folder structure in Windows 7. The install of the old program is redirected to the new location.

OIC. Well I want to get into Thunderbird to see Profile. In XP I would just go to C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles
How do I get there in win7 please.? Also how do I uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" please.? Boy this win7 is a learning curve. I am tempted into going back to XP.

Hi, Aljay, go to your user folder then "AppData" then either "Local" or "Roaming" to access the files you were used to finding in the old "Documents and Setting\UserName" folder.


To show the files, in explorer, click on "Organize" then "Folder and search options"


Click on the "View" tab and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files"


I don't recommend you go sniffing around in the "Documents and Settings" folder unless you know what you are doing as all files contained within are available through your User folder and the AppData subfolder.

 

[Aljay]

I can't get to application data via Users folder. I go into Computer/Local disk/C:/users/My Name/ but it does not show "Application Data". I'm Lost.

 

[mikedl]

I can't get to application data via Users folder. I go into Computer/Local disk/C:/users/My Name/ but it does not show "Application Data". I'm Lost.

That's because you want "AppData"

 

[Aljay]

I can't get to application data via Users folder. I go into Computer/Local disk/C:/users/My Name/ but it does not show "Application Data". I'm Lost.

That's because you want "AppData"

View attachment 101854

I See your attachment but how to I get to the MDL7 folder that you show. I certainly can't see it via Users. Sorry to be so thick but I could find my around XP no trouble but I admit I am struggling in win7.

 

[marsmimar]

OIC. Well I want to get into Thunderbird to see Profile. In XP I would just go to C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles
How do I get there in win7 please.? Also how do I uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" please.? Boy this win7 is a learning curve. I am tempted into going back to XP.

Hello Aljay -
I came over to 7 from XP so I know exactly what you're saying about a learning curve. Give it a few weeks and I think you'll be very happy with 7. If I can make a suggestion ... one of the nice things about 7 is how easy it is to make a system image. If you can get an external USB hard drive, make a system image (and the system repair disk) while everything is working. Then have at it and mess around with 7 as much as you like. If something breaks or the system crashes, restore the image and your computer will be exactly like it was when the image was made (OS, personal settings, updates, files, folders, data, etc.)

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

If you'd rather use a different imaging program, a lot of forum users recommend Macrium Reflect Free. And one of the forum members created a sweet tutorial (thanks to WHS.)

 

[mikedl]

I can't get to application data via Users folder. I go into Computer/Local disk/C:/users/My Name/ but it does not show "Application Data". I'm Lost.

That's because you want "AppData"

View attachment 101854

I See your attachment but how to I get to the MDL7 folder that you show. I certainly can't see it via Users. Sorry to be so thick but I could find my around XP no trouble but I admit I am struggling in win7.

The MDL7 folder is my user name. Your folder will have your user name on it. I mean, not literally. Just look for your user name where I have indicated in red "Your User Name":

 

[Aljay]

OIC. Well I want to get into Thunderbird to see Profile. In XP I would just go to C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles
How do I get there in win7 please.? Also how do I uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" please.? Boy this win7 is a learning curve. I am tempted into going back to XP.

Hello Aljay -
I came over to 7 from XP so I know exactly what you're saying about a learning curve. Give it a few weeks and I think you'll be very happy with 7. If I can make a suggestion ... one of the nice things about 7 is how easy it is to make a system image. If you can get an external USB hard drive, make a system image (and the system repair disk) while everything is working. Then have at it and mess around with 7 as much as you like. If something breaks or the system crashes, restore the image and your computer will be exactly like it was when the image was made (OS, personal settings, updates, files, folders, data, etc.)

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

If you'd rather use a different imaging program, a lot of forum users recommend Macrium Reflect Free. And one of the forum members created a sweet tutorial (thanks to WHS.)

Thanks for your encouragement. I have an external HDD so will look at that once I know what I am doing. LOL. I have worked out why I couldn't get to the AppData folder. I had files hidden. I guess I will find my around eventually. I am at the upper end of being a "Senior" so the old brain isn't as good as it once was. Cheers.

 

[mikedl]

Ajay, you don't have to unhide system files to access your AppData folder. See my post above. In fact, for now, I would recommend you don't unhide the system files. After you acclimate yourself a bit further then give it a shot - just a humble suggestion.

Your explorer tree will appear bit differently than mine as I am running an add-on to emulate the tree view from XP. This is the standard view (remember, my user name is MDL7):

 

[Aljay]

Hi Mikedl, Until I did the unhide I could not see AppData via Users and then My User name.
I have now made it hidden. When I go into Users/My Name this is all I get:
Contents
Desktop
Downloads
Favourites
Links
My Documents
My Music
My Pictures
My Videos
Office Genuine Advanage
Saved Games
Searches
Tracing
I cannot see any way of getting to AppData. Thanks for trying to help. Cheers.

 

[mikedl]

Hi Mikedl, Until I did the unhide I could not see AppData via Users and then My User name.

Are you attempting to access your "AppData" folder by going through the "Users" folder under the "C" drive?

You should be able to access it directly at the top of the left hand pane in explorer
without going into the "Users" folder.

 

[Aljay]

Yes. That is the way I am doing it. My Explorer pane is not the same as yours. I am using what we call "Windows7 Home Premium" which is one up from the "Starter" Perhaps that explains it. The win7 was put on when I got this computer built last week.

 

[mikedl]

Odd, it should be the same other than the tree view being slightly different on mine for the reason I explained earlier.

You don't have a folder with your user name under "Desktop" then below "Libraries" and above "Computer?"



EDIT: I understand the dilemma now and, also, my inability to relate to what you have been telling me - sorry.

When I set my views as such:


I see why you couldn't find the AppData folder. Show your hidden files but I recommend you leave"Hide protected operating system files" checked.

I guess I've never ran Windows without first going in and selecting "Show hidden files, folders and drives"

 

[Aljay]

Odd, it should be the same other than the tree view being slightly different on mine for the reason I explained earlier.

You don't have a folder with your user name under "Desktop" then below "Libraries" and above "Computer?"

View attachment 101866

EDIT: I understand the dilemma now and, also, my inability to relate to what you have been telling me - sorry.

When I set my views as such:
View attachment 101867

I see why you couldn't find the AppData folder. Show your hidden files but I recommend you leave"Hide protected operating system files" checked.

I guess I've never ran Windows without first going in and selecting "Show hidden files, folders and drives"

No. I am afraid I don't.

 

[logicearth]

Could just type in the address bar: C:\Users\[YOUR USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming

 

[marsmimar]

Thanks for your encouragement. I have an external HDD so will look at that once I know what I am doing. LOL. I have worked out why I couldn't get to the AppData folder. I had files hidden. I guess I will find my around eventually. I am at the upper end of being a "Senior" so the old brain isn't as good as it once was. Cheers.

I can also relate to the "Senior" status. Believe me, my one remaining brain cell gets overloaded just trying to remember if I already ate breakfast. If I can work my way around 7 anybody can!

Could just type in the address bar: C:\Users\*[YOUR USERNAME]*\AppData\Roaming

Nice!