Vista - Missing APP and Program Data folder

Hi! Guys.

I hope I found the right group to help me.

My APP folder under my user folder and the Program Data folder on Local C: Computer, both just disappeared.

They are missing and not showing. My folder options check marks are where they should be. I tried Brink's solution in the registry and my missing folders as well as folders that are showing all look the same as far as data and pathes and stuff. In other words, the missing ones look the same as the ones that are showing, so what is there to change? They all show %userprofile% in front of them.

I don't know what made these two important folders disappear. I just don't know how to get them back. I have Vista 32 bit.

Help?

Thanks

Greg

Hi Greg,

These are usually hidden system files by default in Vista. They will just need to be unhidden again to see them. This tutorial will show you how if needed.

Hidden Files and Folders

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Brink-

These do not help. I have always had "AppData" under my user name Greg, which includes subfolders called Local, Roaming, etc; I have always had under Computer Local Disk C: Program Data, along with other folders like Program Files, etc...

For some reason, the AppData folder and the Prgram Data folders disappeared. They are gone. The registry still shows them on the system. I have re-booted several times. They are still gone. The registry fiz confuses me becuase all of the shell folders look the same-my ones that disappeared, do not look different than the onse that are still there. So, what do I change. You also mention to go into the file properties and changed hidden to unhidden...how can I do that if they are not there?

The tutorials do not address only two folders being gone. The registry fix could work if I was instructed on how to do it-the tutorial doesn't explain how to make the ones that are hidden, to re-appear.

I know I am a pain, but I have never seen this after all of these years.

Greg

Greg,

Sorry, but I think you missed the point.

The settings in the registry for the user folders locations have nothing to do with these folders.

The C:\ProgramData and C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData are hidden system files by default in Vista. To see them again you just need to do step 2 in Option Two of this tutorial instead.

Hidden Files and Folders

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Greg,

See if running a sfc /scannow command can find any bad system files and fix them to hopefully repair this.

System Files - SFC Command


If not, do a System Restore using a restore point dated before this problem.

System Restore - How to

Hope this helps,
Shawn

What happens when you open a Run dialog and type C:\programData\ ?