Documents and Settings folder - access denied

[Magnumaniac]

I can no longer access my 'Documents and Settings' folder, each time I try, I get a message saying 'Access denied'. I tried running a search for files I know are within that folder, but the search just seems to bypass that folder altogether. I tried a system restore, but that didn't help either. HELP!

 

[Kari]

Hi Magnummaniac, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Documents and Settings in Windows 7 is not a folder, it is just a junction (link) used for backward compatibility with Windows XP; for instance when an application tries to save something as in XP to Document and Settings, Windows 7 redirects the action to corresponding folder in its own main Users folder, default at C:\Users. A user should never need to access Documents and Settings in Windows 7.

Using myself as an example, I have used Windows 7 six years now, started over a year before it was officially published in 2009. I have never - I repeat Never Ever - even clicked the Documents and Settings icon, nor have I had any reason to access it.

Kari

 

[LMiller7]

Windows Explorer in Windows 7 will never allow access to the "Documents and Settings" junction. I believe this is hard coded into the program itself. Some explorer alternatives will allow this. Use the "Users" folder as was intended.