Vista Tutorial - Permission denied to access folders

I recently upgraded from XP SP2 to Vista using an upgrade disc I received
from Dell with the purchase of my laptop. Most everything transferred over
smoothly but when I tried to access common folders such as My Music, My
Pictures, etc. I was given an error message saying "You don't currently have
permission to access this folder; click continue to access." After clicking
continue, I saw another message saying I was denied permission and given an
option to go to the security tab to change some settings. I worked with those
settings but still was not able to get anywhere.

I only have one account setup on this machine right now. Also, UAC has been
turned off. Can anyone help me?

I believe these folders are the old ones that I used back on XP and not the
new ones created by Vista, but since I'm still so new to Vista I really have
no idea which is which.

Have a look at the Knowledgebase Article:

Error message when you try to access the My Documents, My Music, My
Pictures, and My Videos folders in Windows Vista: "Access is Denied" at
'Error message when you try to access the My Documents, My Music, My
Pictures, and My Videos folders in Windows Vista: \"Access is Denied\"'
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930128)

To make sure the UAC is turned on.....

1. Click Start

2. Click Control Panel

3. Select System and Maintenance

4. Click Administrative Tools

5. Double-click System Configuration

6. Click Continue (if prompted)

7. Select the Tools tab in the System Configuration window

8. Here you can choose Disable UAP or Enable UAP from the bottom of the
listbox

9. Click Launch

10. Reboot

regards


--
Steve
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

Steve-

The KB article was helpful but my problem is slightly different than what is
described in the article. If I read it correctly, the article explains how to
solve the problem of a "Documents" folder in the start menu not pointing to
the correct corresponding "Documents" folder carried over from XP.

My problem is that it seems like I actually have two sets of Documents
folders -- one from XP and one new set from Vista. I don't need the Vista set
to point to the XP set, as I have already begun to save new files in the
Vista set. However, I just need access to the old XP set. If I go to Start
and then Documents, I'll see my old folders from XP. When I try to access any
My ____ folder, I get the error message described in my first post.

Thanks.

rypurdude

There is nothing in those old XP folders, so there is no need to access
them. The "My" designation for user folders was retired in Vista.

The old XP user folders are now Junctions, which means they simply point to
the new folder that is used in Vista. They are there for compatibility
purposes for old programs that are not compatible with Vista. When an older
program tries to access one of these folders, they are automatically
redirected to the new user folder in Vista.

You can see a list of these folders using a command prompt.

Go to Start and type cmd and press Enter.

In the command window, type:

dir /aL

Press Enter.

The results will be a list of all the Junctions for the user folders. These
will show the name of the old XP user folder and the name of the new folder
that replaces it in Brackets.

A typical line will look like this:

12/13/2006 04:15 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents [C:\Users\user
name\Documents]

This line shows the old XP folder, My Documents, is now called Documents and
it is located in the C:\Users\user name folder. (Where user name is the
account you are logged on with.

Another thing you need to do is turn UAC back ON. When you turn this off,
you also disable much of the compatibility and Virtualization that is built
into Vista.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"rypurdue" <rypurdue@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F6A336F8-F6C9-4FB8-9236-A0C188D8428D@microsoft.com...
> Steve-
>
> The KB article was helpful but my problem is slightly different than what
> is
> described in the article. If I read it correctly, the article explains how
> to
> solve the problem of a "Documents" folder in the start menu not pointing
> to
> the correct corresponding "Documents" folder carried over from XP.
>
> My problem is that it seems like I actually have two sets of Documents
> folders -- one from XP and one new set from Vista. I don't need the Vista
> set
> to point to the XP set, as I have already begun to save new files in the
> Vista set. However, I just need access to the old XP set. If I go to Start
> and then Documents, I'll see my old folders from XP. When I try to access
> any
> My ____ folder, I get the error message described in my first post.
>
> Thanks.

Hi Ron. I found your post to be informative. I do want to clarify
something. When I click on C drive and there is a folder that has a shortcut
icon on it (i.e. Documents and Settings folder) and that I can not access as
Permission is Denied, does that always indicate that that particular folder
is a Junction? Does that shortcut icon used on a folder that I can not
access always indicate that that folder is a Junction folder? If so, when I
open the Users folder, All Users and Default User has that same icon on the
folder and while I can open the All Users folder, I can not open the Default
User folder as permission is Denied. But, Default, Public, and my own
folders do not have the icon and I can open those 3 folders. This is very
confusing for me. I can open my own folder but there are subfolders within
that I can not open (i.e. Templates, Local Settings, Application Data), which
brings me to another question of where do I now store Templates. I am
finding this learning process to be a bit of a headache. As with other XP
users, I am not accustomed to being locked out of folders on my system. It
might have been better all around if instead of being denied access a pop-up
might have said, this folder is a marker or Junction folder and contains no
data.

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> rypurdude
>
> There is nothing in those old XP folders, so there is no need to access
> them. The "My" designation for user folders was retired in Vista.
>
> The old XP user folders are now Junctions, which means they simply point to
> the new folder that is used in Vista. They are there for compatibility
> purposes for old programs that are not compatible with Vista. When an older
> program tries to access one of these folders, they are automatically
> redirected to the new user folder in Vista.
>
> You can see a list of these folders using a command prompt.
>
> Go to Start and type cmd and press Enter.
>
> In the command window, type:
>
> dir /aL
>
> Press Enter.
>
> The results will be a list of all the Junctions for the user folders. These
> will show the name of the old XP user folder and the name of the new folder
> that replaces it in Brackets.
>
> A typical line will look like this:
>
> 12/13/2006 04:15 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents [C:\Users\user
> name\Documents]
>
> This line shows the old XP folder, My Documents, is now called Documents and
> it is located in the C:\Users\user name folder. (Where user name is the
> account you are logged on with.
>
> Another thing you need to do is turn UAC back ON. When you turn this off,
> you also disable much of the compatibility and Virtualization that is built
> into Vista.
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "rypurdue" <rypurdue@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F6A336F8-F6C9-4FB8-9236-A0C188D8428D@microsoft.com...
> > Steve-
> >
> > The KB article was helpful but my problem is slightly different than what
> > is
> > described in the article. If I read it correctly, the article explains how
> > to
> > solve the problem of a "Documents" folder in the start menu not pointing
> > to
> > the correct corresponding "Documents" folder carried over from XP.
> >
> > My problem is that it seems like I actually have two sets of Documents
> > folders -- one from XP and one new set from Vista. I don't need the Vista
> > set
> > to point to the XP set, as I have already begun to save new files in the
> > Vista set. However, I just need access to the old XP set. If I go to Start
> > and then Documents, I'll see my old folders from XP. When I try to access
> > any
> > My ____ folder, I get the error message described in my first post.
> >
> > Thanks.
>
>

KWilson

The junctions appear in many difference places in the User folders. One
thing you can do to help, until you get used to the new folder structure, is
go to Folder Options, in Control Panel. Select the View Tab and Place a
check mark in the "Do not show hidden files and folders" option. This will
hide all of these junction folders and give you a cleaner folder tree.

The All Users folder is not a Junction, it is called a Symbolic Link. It
behaves differently because it has a different set of permissions, although
it's appearance is the same as a junction. When you open this folder you
will simply see a mirror copy of the "C:\Program Data" folder.

Follow the steps I posted below and use the command prompt to reveal all of
the junctions on the system.

Once the list is displayed, click the black and white icon at the top left
of the window and click on Select All. Press Enter to copy all of the text
in the window. Open an instance of Notepad and Edit/Paste. Print this list
and keep it handy for reference.

I hope this answers your questions, if not just post back to this thread.


--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"KWilson" <KWilson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1B5BFC1D-EE7F-4A8F-B628-35B3CA7C7F4D@microsoft.com...
> Hi Ron. I found your post to be informative. I do want to clarify
> something. When I click on C drive and there is a folder that has a
> shortcut
> icon on it (i.e. Documents and Settings folder) and that I can not access
> as
> Permission is Denied, does that always indicate that that particular
> folder
> is a Junction? Does that shortcut icon used on a folder that I can not
> access always indicate that that folder is a Junction folder? If so, when
> I
> open the Users folder, All Users and Default User has that same icon on
> the
> folder and while I can open the All Users folder, I can not open the
> Default
> User folder as permission is Denied. But, Default, Public, and my own
> folders do not have the icon and I can open those 3 folders. This is very
> confusing for me. I can open my own folder but there are subfolders
> within
> that I can not open (i.e. Templates, Local Settings, Application Data),
> which
> brings me to another question of where do I now store Templates. I am
> finding this learning process to be a bit of a headache. As with other XP
> users, I am not accustomed to being locked out of folders on my system.
> It
> might have been better all around if instead of being denied access a
> pop-up
> might have said, this folder is a marker or Junction folder and contains
> no
> data.
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
>> rypurdude
>>
>> There is nothing in those old XP folders, so there is no need to access
>> them. The "My" designation for user folders was retired in Vista.
>>
>> The old XP user folders are now Junctions, which means they simply point
>> to
>> the new folder that is used in Vista. They are there for compatibility
>> purposes for old programs that are not compatible with Vista. When an
>> older
>> program tries to access one of these folders, they are automatically
>> redirected to the new user folder in Vista.
>>
>> You can see a list of these folders using a command prompt.
>>
>> Go to Start and type cmd and press Enter.
>>
>> In the command window, type:
>>
>> dir /aL
>>
>> Press Enter.
>>
>> The results will be a list of all the Junctions for the user folders.
>> These
>> will show the name of the old XP user folder and the name of the new
>> folder
>> that replaces it in Brackets.
>>
>> A typical line will look like this:
>>
>> 12/13/2006 04:15 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents [C:\Users\user
>> name\Documents]
>>
>> This line shows the old XP folder, My Documents, is now called Documents
>> and
>> it is located in the C:\Users\user name folder. (Where user name is the
>> account you are logged on with.
>>
>> Another thing you need to do is turn UAC back ON. When you turn this off,
>> you also disable much of the compatibility and Virtualization that is
>> built
>> into Vista.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "rypurdue" <rypurdue@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:F6A336F8-F6C9-4FB8-9236-A0C188D8428D@microsoft.com...
>> > Steve-
>> >
>> > The KB article was helpful but my problem is slightly different than
>> > what
>> > is
>> > described in the article. If I read it correctly, the article explains
>> > how
>> > to
>> > solve the problem of a "Documents" folder in the start menu not
>> > pointing
>> > to
>> > the correct corresponding "Documents" folder carried over from XP.
>> >
>> > My problem is that it seems like I actually have two sets of Documents
>> > folders -- one from XP and one new set from Vista. I don't need the
>> > Vista
>> > set
>> > to point to the XP set, as I have already begun to save new files in
>> > the
>> > Vista set. However, I just need access to the old XP set. If I go to
>> > Start
>> > and then Documents, I'll see my old folders from XP. When I try to
>> > access
>> > any
>> > My ____ folder, I get the error message described in my first post.
>> >
>> > Thanks.
>>
>>

Thank you for your quick response, Ronnie. I had already run the /aL command
but ran it again and saved it. I didn't understand about the Symbolic Link
and Junction differences. Your information has helped I purchased this
HP laptop yesterday and can't figure out why it would have those Junction
folders anyway...unless it is in case I use the Vista cable to transfer files
between computers?

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:

> KWilson
>
> The junctions appear in many difference places in the User folders. One
> thing you can do to help, until you get used to the new folder structure, is
> go to Folder Options, in Control Panel. Select the View Tab and Place a
> check mark in the "Do not show hidden files and folders" option. This will
> hide all of these junction folders and give you a cleaner folder tree.
>
> The All Users folder is not a Junction, it is called a Symbolic Link. It
> behaves differently because it has a different set of permissions, although
> it's appearance is the same as a junction. When you open this folder you
> will simply see a mirror copy of the "C:\Program Data" folder.
>
> Follow the steps I posted below and use the command prompt to reveal all of
> the junctions on the system.
>
> Once the list is displayed, click the black and white icon at the top left
> of the window and click on Select All. Press Enter to copy all of the text
> in the window. Open an instance of Notepad and Edit/Paste. Print this list
> and keep it handy for reference.
>
> I hope this answers your questions, if not just post back to this thread.
>
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "KWilson" <KWilson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:1B5BFC1D-EE7F-4A8F-B628-35B3CA7C7F4D@microsoft.com...
> > Hi Ron. I found your post to be informative. I do want to clarify
> > something. When I click on C drive and there is a folder that has a
> > shortcut
> > icon on it (i.e. Documents and Settings folder) and that I can not access
> > as
> > Permission is Denied, does that always indicate that that particular
> > folder
> > is a Junction? Does that shortcut icon used on a folder that I can not
> > access always indicate that that folder is a Junction folder? If so, when
> > I
> > open the Users folder, All Users and Default User has that same icon on
> > the
> > folder and while I can open the All Users folder, I can not open the
> > Default
> > User folder as permission is Denied. But, Default, Public, and my own
> > folders do not have the icon and I can open those 3 folders. This is very
> > confusing for me. I can open my own folder but there are subfolders
> > within
> > that I can not open (i.e. Templates, Local Settings, Application Data),
> > which
> > brings me to another question of where do I now store Templates. I am
> > finding this learning process to be a bit of a headache. As with other XP
> > users, I am not accustomed to being locked out of folders on my system.
> > It
> > might have been better all around if instead of being denied access a
> > pop-up
> > might have said, this folder is a marker or Junction folder and contains
> > no
> > data.
> >
> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >
> >> rypurdude
> >>
> >> There is nothing in those old XP folders, so there is no need to access
> >> them. The "My" designation for user folders was retired in Vista.
> >>
> >> The old XP user folders are now Junctions, which means they simply point
> >> to
> >> the new folder that is used in Vista. They are there for compatibility
> >> purposes for old programs that are not compatible with Vista. When an
> >> older
> >> program tries to access one of these folders, they are automatically
> >> redirected to the new user folder in Vista.
> >>
> >> You can see a list of these folders using a command prompt.
> >>
> >> Go to Start and type cmd and press Enter.
> >>
> >> In the command window, type:
> >>
> >> dir /aL
> >>
> >> Press Enter.
> >>
> >> The results will be a list of all the Junctions for the user folders.
> >> These
> >> will show the name of the old XP user folder and the name of the new
> >> folder
> >> that replaces it in Brackets.
> >>
> >> A typical line will look like this:
> >>
> >> 12/13/2006 04:15 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents [C:\Users\user
> >> name\Documents]
> >>
> >> This line shows the old XP folder, My Documents, is now called Documents
> >> and
> >> it is located in the C:\Users\user name folder. (Where user name is the
> >> account you are logged on with.
> >>
> >> Another thing you need to do is turn UAC back ON. When you turn this off,
> >> you also disable much of the compatibility and Virtualization that is
> >> built
> >> into Vista.
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Ronnie Vernon
> >> Microsoft MVP
> >> Windows Shell/User
> >>
> >>
> >> "rypurdue" <rypurdue@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:F6A336F8-F6C9-4FB8-9236-A0C188D8428D@microsoft.com...
> >> > Steve-
> >> >
> >> > The KB article was helpful but my problem is slightly different than
> >> > what
> >> > is
> >> > described in the article. If I read it correctly, the article explains
> >> > how
> >> > to
> >> > solve the problem of a "Documents" folder in the start menu not
> >> > pointing
> >> > to
> >> > the correct corresponding "Documents" folder carried over from XP.
> >> >
> >> > My problem is that it seems like I actually have two sets of Documents
> >> > folders -- one from XP and one new set from Vista. I don't need the
> >> > Vista
> >> > set
> >> > to point to the XP set, as I have already begun to save new files in
> >> > the
> >> > Vista set. However, I just need access to the old XP set. If I go to
> >> > Start
> >> > and then Documents, I'll see my old folders from XP. When I try to
> >> > access
> >> > any
> >> > My ____ folder, I get the error message described in my first post.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks.
> >>
> >>
>

KWilson

Glad this helped.

Just for information, the Junctions and Symbolic Links are there for
compatibility for older programs. These programs are still looking for the
Documents and Settings, My Documents, All Users folders, etc. If they cannot
find them, they will silently fail with their installation. The junctions
and symbolic links will automatically redirect these programs to the new
location for these folders in Vista and allow them to install and run
properly.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"KWilson" <KWilson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1011A2ED-5147-4199-AAE6-B7C67578F492@microsoft.com...
> Thank you for your quick response, Ronnie. I had already run the /aL
> command
> but ran it again and saved it. I didn't understand about the Symbolic
> Link
> and Junction differences. Your information has helped I purchased
> this
> HP laptop yesterday and can't figure out why it would have those Junction
> folders anyway...unless it is in case I use the Vista cable to transfer
> files
> between computers?
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
>> KWilson
>>
>> The junctions appear in many difference places in the User folders. One
>> thing you can do to help, until you get used to the new folder structure,
>> is
>> go to Folder Options, in Control Panel. Select the View Tab and Place a
>> check mark in the "Do not show hidden files and folders" option. This
>> will
>> hide all of these junction folders and give you a cleaner folder tree.
>>
>> The All Users folder is not a Junction, it is called a Symbolic Link. It
>> behaves differently because it has a different set of permissions,
>> although
>> it's appearance is the same as a junction. When you open this folder you
>> will simply see a mirror copy of the "C:\Program Data" folder.
>>
>> Follow the steps I posted below and use the command prompt to reveal all
>> of
>> the junctions on the system.
>>
>> Once the list is displayed, click the black and white icon at the top
>> left
>> of the window and click on Select All. Press Enter to copy all of the
>> text
>> in the window. Open an instance of Notepad and Edit/Paste. Print this
>> list
>> and keep it handy for reference.
>>
>> I hope this answers your questions, if not just post back to this thread.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "KWilson" <KWilson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:1B5BFC1D-EE7F-4A8F-B628-35B3CA7C7F4D@microsoft.com...
>> > Hi Ron. I found your post to be informative. I do want to clarify
>> > something. When I click on C drive and there is a folder that has a
>> > shortcut
>> > icon on it (i.e. Documents and Settings folder) and that I can not
>> > access
>> > as
>> > Permission is Denied, does that always indicate that that particular
>> > folder
>> > is a Junction? Does that shortcut icon used on a folder that I can not
>> > access always indicate that that folder is a Junction folder? If so,
>> > when
>> > I
>> > open the Users folder, All Users and Default User has that same icon on
>> > the
>> > folder and while I can open the All Users folder, I can not open the
>> > Default
>> > User folder as permission is Denied. But, Default, Public, and my own
>> > folders do not have the icon and I can open those 3 folders. This is
>> > very
>> > confusing for me. I can open my own folder but there are subfolders
>> > within
>> > that I can not open (i.e. Templates, Local Settings, Application Data),
>> > which
>> > brings me to another question of where do I now store Templates. I am
>> > finding this learning process to be a bit of a headache. As with other
>> > XP
>> > users, I am not accustomed to being locked out of folders on my system.
>> > It
>> > might have been better all around if instead of being denied access a
>> > pop-up
>> > might have said, this folder is a marker or Junction folder and
>> > contains
>> > no
>> > data.
>> >
>> > "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>> >
>> >> rypurdude
>> >>
>> >> There is nothing in those old XP folders, so there is no need to
>> >> access
>> >> them. The "My" designation for user folders was retired in Vista.
>> >>
>> >> The old XP user folders are now Junctions, which means they simply
>> >> point
>> >> to
>> >> the new folder that is used in Vista. They are there for compatibility
>> >> purposes for old programs that are not compatible with Vista. When an
>> >> older
>> >> program tries to access one of these folders, they are automatically
>> >> redirected to the new user folder in Vista.
>> >>
>> >> You can see a list of these folders using a command prompt.
>> >>
>> >> Go to Start and type cmd and press Enter.
>> >>
>> >> In the command window, type:
>> >>
>> >> dir /aL
>> >>
>> >> Press Enter.
>> >>
>> >> The results will be a list of all the Junctions for the user folders.
>> >> These
>> >> will show the name of the old XP user folder and the name of the new
>> >> folder
>> >> that replaces it in Brackets.
>> >>
>> >> A typical line will look like this:
>> >>
>> >> 12/13/2006 04:15 PM <JUNCTION> My Documents [C:\Users\user
>> >> name\Documents]
>> >>
>> >> This line shows the old XP folder, My Documents, is now called
>> >> Documents
>> >> and
>> >> it is located in the C:\Users\user name folder. (Where user name is
>> >> the
>> >> account you are logged on with.
>> >>
>> >> Another thing you need to do is turn UAC back ON. When you turn this
>> >> off,
>> >> you also disable much of the compatibility and Virtualization that is
>> >> built
>> >> into Vista.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >> Ronnie Vernon
>> >> Microsoft MVP
>> >> Windows Shell/User
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "rypurdue" <rypurdue@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:F6A336F8-F6C9-4FB8-9236-A0C188D8428D@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Steve-
>> >> >
>> >> > The KB article was helpful but my problem is slightly different than
>> >> > what
>> >> > is
>> >> > described in the article. If I read it correctly, the article
>> >> > explains
>> >> > how
>> >> > to
>> >> > solve the problem of a "Documents" folder in the start menu not
>> >> > pointing
>> >> > to
>> >> > the correct corresponding "Documents" folder carried over from XP.
>> >> >
>> >> > My problem is that it seems like I actually have two sets of
>> >> > Documents
>> >> > folders -- one from XP and one new set from Vista. I don't need the
>> >> > Vista
>> >> > set
>> >> > to point to the XP set, as I have already begun to save new files in
>> >> > the
>> >> > Vista set. However, I just need access to the old XP set. If I go to
>> >> > Start
>> >> > and then Documents, I'll see my old folders from XP. When I try to
>> >> > access
>> >> > any
>> >> > My ____ folder, I get the error message described in my first post.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks.
>> >>
>> >>
>>

AND DON'T FORGET SOME OTHER GOODIES SUCH AS:

INCORRECT FUNCTION
RUNTIME ERROR
ABNORMAL PROGRAM TERMINATION
"E" DRIVE IS NOT ACCESSIBLE (as well as the PERMISSION (for you) TO ACCESS)

If you get any help on any of these I hope you forward a copy to me. Thanks!
rodellpr@xxxxxx
--
RO


"rypurdue" wrote: