Unaccesible shortcuts created by the system in user & system folders

[madasco]

Unaccesible shortcuts created by the system in user & system folders

Hello All:

Browsing the folders on my hard drive I have found a series of shortcuts (to default users, application data, "archivos de programas" (program files in English language) that I didn't create and that I can neither access nor delete.

I have two administrator accounts in the computer, yet can't operate on these shortcuts.

Any ideas on how to access this folders and eventually deleting them?

I am attaching some screenshots on the matter.

Thank you for your help!
Madasco

 

[matts6887]

sounds like you may have to try the following link to try and take ownership of those folders. Try this link and see what happens:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

 

[whs]

Is this a Windows 7 upgraded from XP ?

 

[UsernameIssues]

The folder named Application Data shown in your first screenshot was created by the Windows OS. Look at the date & time stamp. Just leave it alone.

The same is true for the folder named Documents and Settings shown in your 3rd screenshot.

The same is true for the folder named Default User shown in your 4th screenshot.

Do not take ownership of those folders.

If you don't want to see these folders, then put a check by this folder option:



The folders are there so that older programs can make use of them. They are not meant for you to see/open.

The only folder that is not "normal" is the one to the Program Files folder. Just leave it alone too. Some app might have created it. Some app might need it.



edit:
Here is an old thread for you to read:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/169246-how-get-access-document-settings.html
and this:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/bb968829(v=vs.85).aspx

 

[Kari]

The only folder that is not "normal" is the one to the Program Files folder. Just leave it alone too. Some app might have created it. Some app might need it.

In all 35 language versions of Windows, the system file and folder names are in English but localized junctions are used to show user the names in his language.

An example: in a Finnish Windows 7 the user sees folder Ohjelmatiedostot but when the properties of this folder is checked, they reveal that it's not a folder but a junction that points to folder Program Files. A localized Finnish name (junction) to "fool" user to think the folder has a Finnish name. Same thing in user folders, a junction with a Finnish name Kuvat opens a folder named Pictures , Musiikki opens Music and so on.

Archivos de programa is the Spanish localized junction for Program Files. Your screenshots show an English Windows so my guess is you have installed some Spanish application which is coded using absolute Spanish localized junction name as install location instead of relative variable %ProgramFiles%.

Kari

 

[UsernameIssues]

Thanks Kari for the info

 

[alphanumeric]

As Kari pointed out they are not folders they are "Junction Points", that's why they have the shortcut ICON. NTFS junction point - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[madasco]

Thank you all for your interest and information, matts6887, whs, Usernameissues, Kari and alphanumeric.
I've learnt a lot from your replies.
whs, my Windows 7 it's a clean install, not an upgrade from XP

Cheers!

 

[whs]

Thanks for the feedback.