Locked folders

[2007S281]

I understand your point, however, I assert the new "Users" directory structure should be understood and utilized for what you mention.

There is nothing in the "Documents and Settings" folder that is not in the "Users" directory tree. It's an anachronism in comparison to the world of Windows 7.

First off I HATE people that throw around words like "anachronism" & "presaged" to try to show how smart they are.
I'm 54 years old and have never heard these 2 words used in every day language.

You are looking in the wrong place.
The All User's start menu is here: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

It is you who screwed up here. None of this is new, this new structure was started all the way back in Windows Vista. This information is easy to find there is even an XP directories to Vista/7 directories list.

Who said anything about Start Menu? Don't assume I was referring to the ALL Users Desktop. And like Vista was such a Great OS, I compare it to Win Millennium!


I won't be using this site anymore, thanks for your input and use of large words to talk down to people. No One talks down to me.

Have a great day and remember that a satisfied customer tells a few people, but a dis-satisfied customer tells everyone!


Admin Please delete this account, thanks

 

[logicearth]

Who said anything about Start Menu? Don't assume I was referring to the ALL Users Desktop...

Then it is C:\Users\Public\Desktop

 

[mikedl]

I understand your point, however, I assert the new "Users" directory structure should be understood and utilized for what you mention.

There is nothing in the "Documents and Settings" folder that is not in the "Users" directory tree. It's an anachronism in comparison to the world of Windows 7.

First off I HATE people that throw around words like "anachronism" & "presaged" to try to show how smart they are.
I'm 54 years old and have never heard these 2 words used in every day language.

You are looking in the wrong place.
The All User's start menu is here: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

It is you who screwed up here. None of this is new, this new structure was started all the way back in Windows Vista. This information is easy to find there is even an XP directories to Vista/7 directories list.

Who said anything about Start Menu? Don't assume I was referring to the ALL Users Desktop. And like Vista was such a Great OS, I compare it to Win Millennium!


I won't be using this site anymore, thanks for your input and use of large words to talk down to people. No One talks down to me.

Have a great day and remember that a satisfied customer tells a few people, but a dis-satisfied customer tells everyone!


Admin Please delete this account, thanks

Interesting post. The inflection implicit in the tone of the verbiage I chose to present was not intended to be construed as demeaning in any manner whatsoever; it is exceedingly evident you failed to comprehend such. I was merely presenting an opinion, much the same as you chose to do when you proffered the assertion "Once again MS Screwed up!"

It is not incumbent on me to present my words in an altered fashion so others might find them more commensurate with common discourse and vernacular.

I'm sorry you did not understand my initial offering as nothing more than, in my opinion, sane advice.

 

[pmokover]

I know this is an old thread but I have a question that directly relates to this topic.

I have a new Win7 Ultimate 64bit machine and I was trying to gain access to the Symlink "Documents and Settings" which is in the root directory (C:\). I played with permissions and ownership and managed to gain access and to make it visible in Windows Explorer. I would now like to "hide" it again so I don't see it in Windows Explorer but I can't figure out how to hide it. The usual right-click, then Properties doesn't have the usual Hidden check-box. So, how can I make it hidden (not visible in Win Explorer)?

Thanks.
Peter

 

[Mehzuku]

Beginning with Vista, folders used on XP like "Documents and Settings" are just Symlinks or "Virtual Folders" that redirect requests to the new folder locations for applications running in Virtualized mode or "XP Compatibility Mode"...You cant access these "Virtual Folders" using explorer since there only their for app compatibility with applications written for XP

- The issue with this is that I have access to where the symlink points. Why doesn't it simply put me in that directory when I click the symlink, ala *nix? This behaviour of denial is retarded. "My Documents" is a virtual folder as well, but it doesn't tell me I can't navigate to it. What crack head come up with this?

- The next issue with this is that little lock means nothing. There are dozens of "locked" directories I can click and enter without the slightest issue. It's only some of them that won't let me in. That means the little lock is simply more useless eye candy, because it does not mean the folder is locked to me.

- The last issue with denial is that I have Administrator rights, yet I am denied access to huge chunks of the system. That's like telling root they can't access something ... insane. Windoze needs to run with a non-admin account by default, ala *nix, and go from there, not water down "Administrator" so it can't access harmful parts of the system. That's about retarded.

- Overall w7 is a vast leap backward in usability. It may have nice features, but the day in, day out operation sucks the wax tadpole. This bizarre denial is but one instance of literally dozens of insensate changes to the interface.

 

[logicearth]

- The issue with this is that I have access to where the symlink points. Why doesn't it simply put me in that directory when I click the symlink, ala *nix? This behaviour of denial is retarded. "My Documents" is a virtual folder as well, but it doesn't tell me I can't navigate to it. What crack head come up with this?

They are not symlinks they are junctions. They work differently then symlinks and hardlinks. Denying the permission to get the folder contents is to prevent software from scanning this directory and pulling out duplicate files or backing up duplicate files.

- The next issue with this is that little lock means nothing. There are dozens of "locked" directories I can click and enter without the slightest issue. It's only some of them that won't let me in. That means the little lock is simply more useless eye candy, because it does not mean the folder is locked to me.

The lock icons mean the location is private only your user/or and admin can access it. They only show up on the root level folder that is private. That is of course if you do not foolishly altered permissions.

- The last issue with denial is that I have Administrator rights, yet I am denied access to huge chunks of the system. That's like telling root they can't access something ... insane. Windoze needs to run with a non-admin account by default, ala *nix, and go from there, not water down "Administrator" so it can't access harmful parts of the system. That's about retarded.

Any folder that denies access is a junction point for compatibly. Everyone is denied. Even SYSTEM. Its not a water downed anything. You have the full power of the Administrator account, all it requires to get that power is elevate (e.g. sodo).

- Overall w7 is a vast leap backward in usability.

For you maybe. Windows is made for average consumer usability.

You problem is easily solved by going to Folder options and turning on: "Hide protected operating system files" That way you will never see these junctions again and be confused by them.

Why are people still confused by this? My god it has been four+ years since this setup existed!

 

[flower108]

I just recently got a new computer with Windows 7. I would like to make a backup of MS Outlook 2010. To do that I need to be able to access c:\users\myname\application data.

But I get the message 'application data is not accessible' 'access denied'.

The myname folder is locked. So how do I unlock it so I can backup my Outlook 2010 files?

As far as I can see that is a legitimate reason to have it unlocked. I am the only user on my computer. It is not in a network.

Also. Earlier in this thread someone suggested moving the 'users' folder to my desktop so I tried that but I do not see that folder on my desktop but the icons are now somewhat darkened and I do not see that folder on the desktop. How to I get it back to where it was and have my desktop appearance return to normal?

Thanks in advance for any ideas on this.

 

[James Colbert]

For posterity, I post this link (to new user paths and instructions):

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/128691-locked-folders.html#post1112065

Also, here is an image, with a link to the page it was captured from(courtesy of link in Logicearth's sig):

Svrops.com - Windows Vista Junction Points



James

 

[flower108]

James, I really appreciate your attempt to help me but I do not understand the page that you referred me to. It is very confusing.

I don't understand why it would be impossible for me to access that folder for the purposes of backing up a file in it.

I am the only user on my computer.

It seems unnecessarily complicated.

Could someone please explain step by step what to do?

I need to backup my Outlook 2010 email files which is locked.

 

[James Colbert]

Hi flower108, welcome to the forums.

Unfortunately, I didn't read your post carefully and assumed it pertained to the user folder issue in this thread. I've posted some links below that may be of help. In several cases of this issue, it seems that if the Outlook process is running, the folders will be locked. There may be other reasons as well, which will likely be found in the google link below.

If the information found in the below links doesn't solve your problem, I recommend starting a new thread. Your best bet may be to post in the Office forum.

Here are the links:

Can't backup Outlook 2010 - Locked File Error Message

Outlook. Solution --*.PST files that cannot be copied because they are locked

And finally, a google search on the matter (from which the above links were obtained):

Outlook 2010 email files locked - Google Search

James

 

[mikedl]

Hi, flower108, welcome to the Seven Forums!

If you want to back up you 2010 email files you should find the *.PST files in your ""C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\" folder and the folder should be readily accessible.

EDIT: Nice, James! I didn't see your post until after I posted mine.

 

[James Colbert]

Hi, flower108, welcome to the Seven Forums!

If you want to back up you 2010 email files you should find the *.PST files in your ""C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\" folder and the folder should be readily accessible.

EDIT: Nice, James! I didn't see your post until after I posted mine.

Hi Mike.

Thanks for providing the expedient path verification. I guess that's why you get the big money! :shock:

James

 

[mikedl]

Hi, James! You provided much more insight than I did. I am but an assistant to you. If I get the big bucks, it means you're overpaying me.

 

[James Colbert]

Hi, James! You provided much more insight than I did. I am but an assistant to you. If I get the big bucks, it means you're overpaying me.

Wait a minute...I'm paying you? That has to stop!

 

[mikedl]

Hi, James! You provided much more insight than I did. I am but an assistant to you. If I get the big bucks, it means you're overpaying me.

Wait a minute...I'm paying you? That has to stop!

Hey, I'm still waiting on my first paycheck ... cheapskate ...

 

[flower108]

Thanks James for your helpful information. I really appreciate it.

 

[James Colbert]

Thanks James for your helpful information. I really appreciate it.

You're welcome.

If you find (or found) a solution, please post it back to this thread so that others may benefit. If not, as mentioned, a new thread is your best bet.

James

 

[flower108]

Well, to be honest, I finally paid someone who is expert in Outlook 2010 to help me. There were other factors involved besides just what I had in this thread.

One thing I did discover, however, is that Mozy Home online backup does back up those files even though they are locked.

I do wonder if the fact that those files are locked has prevented me from using another program that I wanted to use however. But that would be a new topic for sure.

 

[adn258]

How can I access locked folders, like Documents and Settings? Checking the Security tab in properties shows that I have full permissions, but I still get "C:\Documents and Settings is not accessible. Access is denied."

Hi moggimus,

Beginning with Vista, folders used on XP like "Documents and Settings" are just Symlinks or "Virtual Folders" that redirect requests to the new folder locations for applications running in Virtualized mode or "XP Compatibility Mode"...You cant access these "Virtual Folders" using explorer since there only their for app compatibility with applications written for XP

Steven

What Steven is saying is true what you are trying to access which is protected more than likely contains NOTHING but is virtual.

Also if you need to change permissions of files in the future it can also be done from the command line as follows

ICACLS DirectoryYouWantChanged /grant yourusername:f

The F meaning full control I believe this would work but you're wasting you time trying I / we think with the folders you are specifying as they are virtual and there for compatibility issues etc. not to store data

Peace

 

[restlessrealm]

Please read my scenerio, you may be able to save me.

Hello all. I am currently looking thru the threads for direction, and so far, I've tried everything listed here. In the meantime, I thought I'd post the question here to see if anyone had the right key to unlock this mystery.... any help would be greatly appreciated.

I had my last pc working great using Vista. I had 2 external hard drives hooked to the pc and everything connected and worked flawlessly. No issues. Then we replaced that pc last week with a new one that runs Windows7. Everything seemed fine until I moved the 2 hard drives over. Both drives connected and were being accessed fine. But the next day, I turned the pc on and noticed that some files show up but when I try to access them, it says cannot access, you do not have permission, or something.

I was completely bumfuggled so I went online to read what I should do to fix this. Ive done everything from sharing, to permissions, to who knows what. At this point, after a week of trying suggestion after suggestion where nothing I do fixes it, I still cant access my files. They continually get re-locked on thier own. Im so confused Im lost. Maybe someone here can help me out:

1 - Files from drive 1 show up and can be seen and accessed without issue. But on drive 2, files in one of 2 main folders are automatically getting locked out by the pc and become un-accessible.

2 - I tried going to that locked folder and manually unlocking each file one at a time. But when I close the folder and try to open the file, the system RE-LOCKs them again. When I check the security and permissions, EVERYTHING shows FULL ACCESS, nothing is denied!

All I can figure is that Windows 7 has a setting somewhere that is causing this and a week later, I cant find it. I read that I should set up "users" or "sharing" but that didnt work either, Im still back in the same predicament. There is only one user on this pc, no profiles to log in with, so in my mind, every file should be accessible. How do I get every file to stay accessible for the only use on the pc?

I am begging for direction here. If there is anyone that had this problem and fixed it, please chime in with ALOT of step by step detail. I need to know what to do to fix this to ensure that all the files on these hard drives remain accessible to everyone at all times.

So whats next?? Thanks again.