Stuttering Directory Tree

[HammerHead]

Comments please.
I've never seen this problem before. I have a directory that is repeated over and over in the directory tree. It's under Documents and Settings. Then if you step down in the tree to any user, such as "All users" or "your name" etc. Select Application Data and under that there will be another Application Data and another and another. I've counted 21 so far. The names of the files in these directories have become too long for windows to read them. I looked in the registry and so far have not located this mish mash. I haven't touched the problem yet. I thought some outside ideas might be of use.

 

[zigzag3143]

Comments please.
I've never seen this problem before. I have a directory that is repeated over and over in the directory tree. It's under Documents and Settings. Then if you step down in the tree to any user, such as "All users" or "your name" etc. Select Application Data and under that there will be another Application Data and another and another. I've counted 21 so far. The names of the files in these directories have become too long for windows to read them. I looked in the registry and so far have not located this mish mash. I haven't touched the problem yet. I thought some outside ideas might be of use.

HH

Was this a clean install or upgrade? Was it always like this? if not do you have a restore point to go back to?

Ken

 

[Barman58]

Have you attempted to manually edit things in the "Documents & Settings" folder?

The reason I ask is it is a part of the folder visualization system used by windows 7 to allow hard coded references in applications designed for XP to operate.

The location is actually a junction point that points to the "users" folder tree I have seen this type of duplication where folders from "Users" are copied or moved into the "Documents & Settings".

This can occur due to manual action or from programs getting confused

One essential thing with Windows 7 is if you have to manually edit items to only edit the actual locations and not the virtual ones

 

[HammerHead]

Actual vs Virtual

Barman
"One essential thing with Windows 7 is if you have to manually edit items to only edit the actual locations and not the virtual ones"

I notice that some are marked with the small arrow, This denotes "virtual" or a shortcut? The actual would not be marked the same?

The restore point. Yep I got restore points and I have some back ups from Ghost. I wonder what would be the best to try first?

 

[Barman58]

As the junctions that Microsoft create do not always show the shortcut arrow the only definative method of showing the actual folders that are, that I have found, is the Junction tool found in Syinternals

Junction v1.05

The only succesful solution to your particular issue, that I have seen, has been by use of system restore or re-install