Goofy Folder Structure...?

[rcanino]

I'm wondering if anyone has the same structure I've got in their Users directory. I can't think of any reason why I'd have so many Application Data folders. Even if they're not directories - if they're actually junction points - why so many?

Thanks for any thoughts you can share.

Here's a screen shot:

 

[zigzag3143]

I'm wondering if anyone has the same structure I've got in their Users directory. I can't think of any reason why I'd have so many Application Data folders. Even if they're not directories - if they're actually junction points - why so many?

Thanks for any thoughts you can share.

Here's a screen shot:

View attachment 133683

Not usual, but I have seen it when a shortcut to a folder is accidentally dragged into the folder above or below. Self replicating


Ken J

 

[rcanino]

I assume I can safely delete all them right?

 

[profdlp]

I had that happen to me during the Win 7 Beta period when I got a little carried away with the takeown tool.

I assume I can safely delete all them right?

I made a current image of my C: drive and tried it, fully prepared for the possibility that I'd be reinstalling everything. It worked for me, but you will have to decide on taking the risk for yourself. For what it's worth, I saw no difference in how my computer ran either way.

 

[rcanino]

Haha, thanks prof I guess that explains it. I did the same thing - went a little overboard on the "take_ownership" changes I guess.

Still - why should there be a relationship between the directory structure and the permissions...? Does taking ownership add a shortcut to the original "locked" directory maybe?

I deleted some of them but was unable (error) to restore them back. I rebooted and the system is fine but I still have all those shortcuts.

I guess I can just ignore the directory tree. I rarely use it anyway on Win 7 since its default behavior is so annoying. I'll explain:

In the directory tree on the left pane of an explorer window, if you highlight a folder first before you click its Expand arrow Windows sends that folder down to the bottom of the tree when you expand it - very annoying. The obvious workaround - don't highlight the folder, click it's expand arrow first - works fine but it took some getting used to.

Is it the same on your system? It doesn't feel like a bug but I can't think of any reason why that behavior would be desirable.

On a related note, suddenly last week I couldn't access my S: partition, which resides on a USB HDD. All the other partitions on that HDD were fine. I finally checked the permissions under S:\ properties and sure enough they were gone. I added the appropriate user name and the Admin account, gave them full control and then I was able to access the partition again. But I have no idea how the permissions changed on their own.

I really haven't done much tinkering with this system but something wiped out the permissions. I just wish I knew what it was...

Thanks for your help!

 

[profdlp]

I'm not sure about the jumping directories - mine don't do that. :huh:

As for the Application Data folder(s), my understanding is that they are there for compatibility with older programs and actually do nothing more than keep those programs from thinking that they didn't or couldn't install right. I now keep the OS files and folders hidden and never see them anymore. Out of sight, out of mind.

 

[MacGyvr]

I'm wondering if anyone has the same structure I've got in their Users directory. I can't think of any reason why I'd have so many Application Data folders. Even if they're not directories - if they're actually junction points - why so many?

Thanks for any thoughts you can share.

Here's a screen shot:

View attachment 133683

You tried to change permissions on one of the junction points, didn't you? That's what causes this.

You have two choices. System Restore to before you started fiddling, or completely reinstall. You CANNOT get the permissions back like they were any other way. It's too complex.

 

[logicearth]

As MacGyvr said. See the links in my signature for more information.

 

[rcanino]

Thanks you guys - they don't really bother me much - I'll do a reinstall when SP1 is released. Till then I'll just ignore them.