getting rid of the shared files folder

[Dynentan]

how do you get rid of the shared files folder found in the users folder?

 

[wither 2]

I'm at a disadvantage because I have no Shared Files folder in C:\Users.

Are you trying to disable sharing with other devices on your network or are you trying to disable sharing specific files/folders which are in that folder? The procedures are different.

 

[Dynentan]

why is there some duplicate folders?

i noticed that some of the folders found in programs are the same as the ones found in programs (x86), why is that?

 

[Dynentan]

im trying to get rid of the folder permanently

 

[LMiller7]

This is a case where appearances are deceiving.

In 64 bit Windows the "Program Files" folder contains 64 bit program files while the "Program Files (x86)" folder contains 32 bit program files. These folders will contain many subfolders and files which have the same names but they are by no means duplicates. If you look closely you will see that the files sizes are different, usually the 64 bit files in "Program Files" being larger. They are different because they have to be. 64 bit processes cannot use 32 bit executable files such as DLLs and 32 bit processes cannot use 64 bit executable files.

Having separate folders for 32 and 64 bit applications has some important advantages. Some Windows and third party applications have both 32 bit and 64 bit versions and this keeps them separate even when the files have the same name. This way there is no confusion when one version or the other is updated.

The file system redirects 32 bit applications to use the correct folder. An old 32 bit application that knows nothing of 64 bit Windows may explicitly specify installation to the "Program Files" folder but will be redirected to the "Program Files (x86)" folder where it belongs. For 32 bit applications any attempt to access the "Program Files" folder will actually go to "Program Files (x86)".

A similar situation occurs for the "System32" and "SysWOW64" folders under the "Windows" folder. The "System32" folder contains 64 bit files while the "SysWOW64" folder contains 32 bit files. This is counter intuitive and has been much criticized. But there are good and valid reasons for it being this way. Application compatibility is a large party of this. This is a lot more complicated than it appears.

 

[wither 2]

LMiller7- What does that have to do with the Shared Files folder in C:\Users?

Dynentan- Why do you want to delete it? What's in it? What happens when you right click on it and select Delete (permissions issue?)?

 

[Snick]

LMiller7- What does that have to do with the Shared Files folder in C:\Users?

Dynentan- Why do you want to delete it? What's in it? What happens when you right click on it and select Delete (permissions issue?)?

I don't have that folder in that location either!
Is OP referring to Public folder? As you can "share" that within your networked computers.

Dynentan, why do you want to delete that folder? It doesn't cause any problems being there.
If it ain't broke don't fix it!

As to OPs question regarding Programs and Programs(86) folder LMiller7's description is correct & well said!

Snick

 

[Snick]

Appears as though OP asked one question which attempts are being made to ascertain what Shared Folder is and then asks another question regarding Programs & Programs(86) folder.

Snick

 

[RolandJS]

I need coffee, I'm a little lost in this thread.
Adding to LMiller -- many program-installs place folders and files in both Program Files (64bit) and Program Files x86 (32bit). Thanks for the reminder, LMiller!
Now, concerning duplicate folders and files in the Users area: I think Snick asked the right question -- why the folders/files in the user's account duplicated in other accounts such as Public? I don't know. I think somebody else answered the Why.
I learned a long time ago not to fiddle or meddle in general with folders and files in the Users area. I have carefully, surgically, copied folders and files from my [name] account over into the Administrator account. A country-western song mentioned: not spitting into on-coming wind, not stepping on Superman's cape. I add: Unless one is very careful, very cautious, fully knowing what to do: do not make changes within the Users area.

 

[Dynentan]

LMiller7- What does that have to do with the Shared Files folder in C:\Users?

Dynentan- Why do you want to delete it? What's in it? What happens when you right click on it and select Delete (permissions issue?)?

it gets deleted, and then it reappears again after some time.

i made three different threads with different questions, but they have all been merged in this thread i guess.

also, one of my threads seems to be missing?

 

[Snick]

it gets deleted, and then it reappears again after some time.

That is most likely happening due to your permissions setting. A Public folder is a shareable/shared folder, if you have your permissions set in the network and sharing center for folder share, that may be the cause.

Snick

 

[wither 2]

I missed what you asked in post 3 so my apologies for questioning LMiller7.

You didn't say what's in that folder. If there's files or folders in there, right click on them and select Properties, Sharing, Advanced Sharing, is sharing enabled for any of them?

I was thinking that If you have sharing enabled in Network and Sharing Center, Change Advanced Sharing........, Files and Printers or Public, and you have files and/or folders set to share,that it would create that Shared Files folder. However, I don't find that to be the case on either my Win 7 or Vista system.

 

[Dynentan]

there was nothing in the folder.
i have everything checked off in network sharing.

 

[jim davis]

Hello
Dynentan

This is a very good question, thank you.
My XP files "table of contents" was the "Sanest" part of the machine, very easy to read, and when i went to it I had no DUPE files, by this i mean, on my seven when i go to documents, The "Home group" files is hanging open, which is redundant and confusional.
also I would like to toss out
Desk top
Library's
and a Documents folder,,,,, i must open to get to yet another documents folder where the goods are and bring it down from 2 icons (one to get to the other.
is there a way to toss desk top (which shows twice) and just get one Icon for each dept of files.
Also it would be nice to get the screen to open all the way large instead of half screen.

 

[wither 2]

Dynentan- Would you be content to just hide that folder?

 

[RoWin7]

it gets deleted, and then it reappears again after some time.

Because it's a system folder, and when the OS detects the loss, it remakes it. But mine was empty till I put some files in. I use it as a transfer point for files I want to copy from Computer1 to Computer2 or 3. I then sit down at #2 and #3 and move the file into the proper folder. If you don't use it for sharing or copying, just ignore the Public folders.

 

[samuria]

There is another thing here open a cmd prompt type


net share


That shows all you shares you should see all drives are shared so stopping the shares you refer to doesnt stop the drive shared

 

[wither 2]

Because it's a system folder, and when the OS detects the loss, it remakes it. But mine was empty till I put some files in. I use it as a transfer point for files I want to copy from Computer1 to Computer2 or 3. I then sit down at #2 and #3 and move the file into the proper folder. If you don't use it for sharing or copying, just ignore the Public folders.

How come I and (I think) Snick, don't have that folder?

 

[Snick]

Because it's a system folder, and when the OS detects the loss, it remakes it. But mine was empty till I put some files in. I use it as a transfer point for files I want to copy from Computer1 to Computer2 or 3. I then sit down at #2 and #3 and move the file into the proper folder. If you don't use it for sharing or copying, just ignore the Public folders.

Agree!


Snick

 

[Snick]

How come I and (I think) Snick, don't have that folder?

Agree! I have three folders in Users on both Win7 & Win10 & all options check in sharing.
Administrator
me "Snick"
Public

Snick