Documents and Settings

Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
(I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
access, how do I do this? Thanks.........

 

On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:30:27 -0400, rmo555@cox.net wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
> (I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
> back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
> access, how do I do this? Thanks.........<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

It's possible that Documents and Settings is a junction point, a special
link for compatibility with pre-Vista software..

In that case you shouldn't be able to access it.

However, I have no idea why it's in your root; I have no such folder in my
root, nor any similar folders either.

I am reaching a bit here, so wait for a post from someone who has more
knowledge...

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom

 

documents and settings
can be found in the root
on xp machines.

so the o.p.'s vista must be
an upgrade from an xp
o.s. that was once on
that disk.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

"Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message news:1wo26w0v9x66m.4h7b0lrn8sxk$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:30:27 -0400, rmo555@cox.net wrote:
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
>> (I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
>> back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
>> access, how do I do this? Thanks.........<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> It's possible that Documents and Settings is a junction point, a special
> link for compatibility with pre-Vista software..
>
> In that case you shouldn't be able to access it.
>
> However, I have no idea why it's in your root; I have no such folder in my
> root, nor any similar folders either.
>
> I am reaching a bit here, so wait for a post from someone who has more
> knowledge...
>
> --
> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Hi, rmo555.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Why is this so?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Because this is NOT WinXP and there is NO "Documents and Settings" in Vista!

Well, there is a "Documents and Settings", but it is only a Junction,
pointing the way to the C:\Users\<username>\Documents folder for each
username. Each Users\<username> folder also contains subfolders for
Contacts, Desktop, Music, Pictures, etc. The D&S Junction is there only for
the benefit of poorly-written applications that otherwise would not be able
to find their own data files, with Administrator credentials or not.

What is your username? If it is MOS, then look in C:\Users\MOS\Documents.
(You may need to Run as Administrator.) What do you see there? How about
C:\Users\MOS\Pictures? Or C:\Users\Public\Music?

Remember: Vista is NOT WinXP, even though they look a lot alike. Under the
hood, there are many differences. Until you learn those differences, you
will continue to suffer this kind of frustration. Breaking the WinXP
mindset is a very hard thing for some users to do. Every day we see posts
here from users who have not yet realized that "this is not your father's
Oldsmobile". Once you get over that hump, the going gets much easier.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@grandecom.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 RC 7100

<rmo555@cox.net> wrote in message
news:gf3s65d89ps9lg3u5k1qmjav0dsvbser4p@4ax.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
> (I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
> back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
> access, how do I do this? Thanks......... <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"Documents and Settings" is no longer a real file folder but a junction
point, maintained for compatibility with older programs that can't find the
new "Users" folders. You cannot open it since it does not exist. Don't
worry about it and/or whether or not it will get backed up as all will be
well.

<rmo555@cox.net> wrote in message
news:gf3s65d89ps9lg3u5k1qmjav0dsvbser4p@4ax.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
> (I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
> back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
> access, how do I do this? Thanks......... <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Documents and Settings isn't a real folder in Vista.
It's a Junction Point, a virtual folder, that points to C:\Users

It's there so that older programs looking for that folder will still work.
They don't know about Vista's redesign of default folders, and the Junction
Point means they don't need to know. It's transparent to them.

***

<rmo555@cox.net> wrote in message
news:gf3s65d89ps9lg3u5k1qmjav0dsvbser4p@4ax.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
> (I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
> back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
> access, how do I do this? Thanks......... <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

<rmo555@cox.net> wrote in message
news:gf3s65d89ps9lg3u5k1qmjav0dsvbser4p@4ax.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
> (I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
> back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
> access, how do I do this? Thanks.........<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Here's just some of the changes made from XP to Vista that had no real
benefit to the user:

XP>> = Windows XP Location
Vista>> = Windows Vista Location

XP>> \Documents and Settings
Vista>> \Users

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\Documents

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Music
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\Music

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Pictures
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\Pictures

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\My Documents\My Videos
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\Videos

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Application Data
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Cookie
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Local

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\NetHood
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\PrintHood
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Recent
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\SendTo
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Start Menu
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Templates
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Application Data
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Local

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\History
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History

XP>> \Documents and Settings\$USER$\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
Vista>> \Users\$USER$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet
Files

XP>> \Documents and Settings\All Users
Vista>> \ProgramData

XP>> \Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
Vista>> \ProgramData

XP>> \Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
Vista>> \Users\Public\Desktop

XP>> \Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents
Vista>> \Users\Public\Documents

XP>> \Documents and Settings\All Users\Favorites
Vista>> \Users\Public\Favorites

XP>> \Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
Vista>> \ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

XP>> \Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates
Vista>> \ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

XP>> \Documents and Settings\Default User
Vista>> \Users\Default

Why all these changes?

Well, MS felt they needed to implement all these changes to fool the MS fans
into thinking they're running a new OS, rather than just another new coat of
paint like they always do.
Seeing how Vista still contains bits and dialogs dating all the way back to
Windows 3.1, it's hard to convince people that Vista is "totally new from
the ground up" as the cheerleaders claim, when CLEARLY it isn't, and much
like Windows 7 won't be either.

All the changes made between XP & Vista were necessary to produce the
illusion that Vista is somehow new and different, when in fact all they
really did was add a bunch of new (and equally useless) eye candy.

 

On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:57:15 -0500, db wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> documents and settings
> can be found in the root
> on xp machines.
>
> so the o.p.'s vista must be
> an upgrade from an xp
> o.s. that was once on
> that disk.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

OK, thanks.

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom

 

On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:58:17 -0700, "Gene E. Bloch"
<not-me@other.invalid> wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:57:15 -0500, db wrote:
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> documents and settings
>> can be found in the root
>> on xp machines.
>>
>> so the o.p.'s vista must be
>> an upgrade from an xp
>> o.s. that was once on
>> that disk.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
>OK, thanks.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

No, it's not. But I backup my new Vista machine from my old XPPro
machine (networked).

 

On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:59:38 -0400, rmo555@cox.net wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:58:17 -0700, "Gene E. Bloch"
> <not-me@other.invalid> wrote:
> <!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>>On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:57:15 -0500, db wrote:
>><!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> documents and settings
>>> can be found in the root
>>> on xp machines.
>>>
>>> so the o.p.'s vista must be
>>> an upgrade from an xp
>>> o.s. that was once on
>>> that disk.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>>OK, thanks.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> No, it's not. But I backup my new Vista machine from my old XPPro
> machine (networked).<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Still, the message seems to be that the folder is not harmful - plus you
can't get rid of it, AFAICT.

Anyway, good luck ...

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom

 

<rmo555@cox.net> wrote in message
news:gf3s65d89ps9lg3u5k1qmjav0dsvbser4p@4ax.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Access to Documents and Settings in the root directory is denied to me
> (I have administrator credentials). Why is this so? Also, I want to
> back up my entire drive and all folders and files. If I don't have
> access, how do I do this? Thanks.........<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

As Gene said, it is a junction point to allow older, pre-Vista, programs to
function properly. All that was in it is now in other places in the folder
list off the root of the drive. Most is currently in Users\yourname.....

D & S can not be accessed directly within Vista with any type of rights,
administrator or other.

 

It's a junction point.

--
..
--
"Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
news:1nae98m57hd0n.13vsnu1boubcc$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:59:38 -0400, rmo555@cox.net wrote:
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:58:17 -0700, "Gene E. Bloch"
>> <not-me@other.invalid> wrote:
>><!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>>On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:57:15 -0500, db wrote:
>>>
>>>> documents and settings
>>>> can be found in the root
>>>> on xp machines.
>>>>
>>>> so the o.p.'s vista must be
>>>> an upgrade from an xp
>>>> o.s. that was once on
>>>> that disk.
>>>
>>>OK, thanks.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> No, it's not. But I backup my new Vista machine from my old XPPro
>> machine (networked).<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Still, the message seems to be that the folder is not harmful - plus you
> can't get rid of it, AFAICT.
>
> Anyway, good luck ...
>
> --
> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:45:55 +1000, . wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> It's a junction point.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Yes, we (a number of posters in this thread) had agreed on that. I was
trying to reassure the OP that it was harmless, even if it was a bit
annoying

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom

 

"db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
news:29343458-A8D3-415D-9619-56592BD40886@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> documents and settings
> can be found in the root
> on xp machines.
>
> so the o.p.'s vista must be
> an upgrade from an xp
> o.s. that was once on
> that disk.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Wrong - all Vista installations have a "Documents and Settings" JUNCTION
POINT - this is to allow legacy programs to be used on Vista.
Have a look here:

 

"Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
news:8168t2p8g8j1.dkf9kzuajlsu$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:45:55 +1000, . wrote:
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> It's a junction point.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Yes, we (a number of posters in this thread) had agreed on that. I was
> trying to reassure the OP that it was harmless, even if it was a bit
> annoying
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Nothing to do with "annoying" - its there for a purpose - to allow legacy
applications that use the "Documents and Settings" folder (which Vista
doesn't have BTW) to run on Vista.
See here:

 

"Gordon" <gordonbparker@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ePOmcI1DKHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
> news:8168t2p8g8j1.dkf9kzuajlsu$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:45:55 +1000, . wrote:
>><!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> It's a junction point.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Yes, we (a number of posters in this thread) had agreed on that. I was
>> trying to reassure the OP that it was harmless, even if it was a bit
>> annoying
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Nothing to do with "annoying" - its there for a purpose - to allow legacy
> applications that use the "Documents and Settings" folder (which Vista
> doesn't have BTW) to run on Vista.
> See here:
>
>
>
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I'm running Vista and have no such folder anywhere on my PC!

--
Bob Eyster
Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 - 32 Bit - IE8

 

They're hidden.
You have to unhide them in Folder Options in order to see them

***

"Bob Eyster" <reyster1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3ABDE4F8-076A-41B2-98D7-E607432FBF4B@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Gordon" <gordonbparker@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:ePOmcI1DKHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>>
>> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:8168t2p8g8j1.dkf9kzuajlsu$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:45:55 +1000, . wrote:
>>>
>>>> It's a junction point.
>>>
>>> Yes, we (a number of posters in this thread) had agreed on that. I was
>>> trying to reassure the OP that it was harmless, even if it was a bit
>>> annoying
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Nothing to do with "annoying" - its there for a purpose - to allow legacy
>> applications that use the "Documents and Settings" folder (which Vista
>> doesn't have BTW) to run on Vista.
>> See here:
>>
>>
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I'm running Vista and have no such folder anywhere on my PC!
>
> --
> Bob Eyster
> Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 - 32 Bit - IE8 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"Bob Eyster" <reyster1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3ABDE4F8-076A-41B2-98D7-E607432FBF4B@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Gordon" <gordonbparker@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:ePOmcI1DKHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>>
>> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:8168t2p8g8j1.dkf9kzuajlsu$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:45:55 +1000, . wrote:
>>>
>>>> It's a junction point.
>>>
>>> Yes, we (a number of posters in this thread) had agreed on that. I was
>>> trying to reassure the OP that it was harmless, even if it was a bit
>>> annoying
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Nothing to do with "annoying" - its there for a purpose - to allow legacy
>> applications that use the "Documents and Settings" folder (which Vista
>> doesn't have BTW) to run on Vista.
>> See here:
>>
>>
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I'm running Vista and have no such folder anywhere on my PC!
>
> --
> Bob Eyster
> Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 - 32 Bit - IE8<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I stand corrected, I do have this folder!

--
Bob Eyster
Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 - 32 Bit - IE8

 

"Bob Eyster" <reyster1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3ABDE4F8-076A-41B2-98D7-E607432FBF4B@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Gordon" <gordonbparker@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:ePOmcI1DKHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>>
>> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:8168t2p8g8j1.dkf9kzuajlsu$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:45:55 +1000, . wrote:
>>>
>>>> It's a junction point.
>>>
>>> Yes, we (a number of posters in this thread) had agreed on that. I was
>>> trying to reassure the OP that it was harmless, even if it was a bit
>>> annoying
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Nothing to do with "annoying" - its there for a purpose - to allow legacy
>> applications that use the "Documents and Settings" folder (which Vista
>> doesn't have BTW) to run on Vista.
>> See here:
>>
>>
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I'm running Vista and have no such folder anywhere on my PC!
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Bet you do - it's a hidden folder.....

 

Gordon wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
> news:8168t2p8g8j1.dkf9kzuajlsu$.dlg@40tude.net...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:45:55 +1000, . wrote:
>><!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> It's a junction point.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Yes, we (a number of posters in this thread) had agreed on that. I was
>> trying to reassure the OP that it was harmless, even if it was a bit
>> annoying
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Nothing to do with "annoying" - its there for a purpose - to allow
> legacy applications that use the "Documents and Settings" folder (which
> Vista doesn't have BTW) to run on Vista.
> See here:
>
>
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
Err <sigh>, it might just be Err annoying. Err.