ljkrauss
asked on
Window 7 - User Profile Directories
This is a Domain connected workstation without roaming profiles. -
I am trying to find a given link that was created after a product install and move it to the default directory for all users.
In doing so I am finding that Windows 7/Vista has changed how all of this is stored.
Here is what I see so far -
User Profile Directories
~ = Locked
| = Shortcut
c:\users\Administrator
~c:\users\All users
c:\users\Default
~c:\users\Default users
c:\users\Public
~c:\users\USER1
Depending on where I look some of these are links that typically point to a protected directory. Is there no way to get to the source file?
I saw a couple of posts that pointed to the microsoft\localdata directory but there wasnt enough detail? Can someone explain the structure by directory for me (or point me somewhere that does?
Thank you very much.
LK
I am trying to find a given link that was created after a product install and move it to the default directory for all users.
In doing so I am finding that Windows 7/Vista has changed how all of this is stored.
Here is what I see so far -
User Profile Directories
~ = Locked
| = Shortcut
c:\users\Administrator
~c:\users\All users
c:\users\Default
~c:\users\Default users
c:\users\Public
~c:\users\USER1
Depending on where I look some of these are links that typically point to a protected directory. Is there no way to get to the source file?
I saw a couple of posts that pointed to the microsoft\localdata directory but there wasnt enough detail? Can someone explain the structure by directory for me (or point me somewhere that does?
Thank you very much.
LK
The "Locked Directories" don't really exist. They are simply shortcuts that Windows puts there so any software which might still refer to the old XP directory structure can still install successfully.
If I'm reading your post right, then what you will want to do is to place a copy o fyour shortcut in the following directories:
1) Start Menu: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
2) Desktop: C:\Users\Public\Desktop
Note: The Public folder is there under USERS, but it is hidden by default.
If I'm reading your post right, then what you will want to do is to place a copy o fyour shortcut in the following directories:
1) Start Menu: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
2) Desktop: C:\Users\Public\Desktop
Note: The Public folder is there under USERS, but it is hidden by default.
ASKER
I appreciate your help.
So let me try and narrow down my confusion to a couple of Qs....
1) In what set of directories would I look for a program icon that was installed by an application?
2) How about the Startup folder? I found this directory but its outside of the profiles
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
Does this mean that all Startup icons are now in this \ProgramData\Vendor folder? How do i find just whats set to startup automatically? Look in each one?
3) Many of the 'Locked' Directories I could access in Explorer. All of the Shortcuts gave me Access Denied messages. Zupreme - you said that the locked dirs were shortcuts. What is the difference between the 3 states - Locked, Locked Access Denied, Shortcuts - Access Denied?
Again, Thanks for your help. Just looking at this through the dirs is confusing.
LK
By 'given link' I meant any link file in particular. (figure of speech.) By 'move it to the default directory for all users' I meant the profile that all users inherit from.
Ex. I copied a .lnk file created on the current user desktop
from
C:\Users\user1\Desktop
to
C:\Users\Default\Desktop
I then logged in with another domain users account and it was avialable on the desktop. Just what I expected. Im not sure that \default was the correct target directory but it worked in this instance.
What I need to understand is what each directory is for -
Ex. What is the difference between
\Administrator
\All Users
\Default
\Default Users
\Public
\USER1
And where do some of the link icons get mapped to within the directory structure.
Clicking on one of these shortcuts gives you an Access Denied message. Im assuming these are stored in system variables now. How do I find out where they actually point to?
Ex. Where are the directories for the Startup folder - the default profile (the one from which each user inherits from) and the current logged on user.
I have an application that on install gets added to the Startup Folder but only for the logged on user. I need this to be for all users. Where do I find the file in the currently logged on users profile and where does it get copied to?
I was able to find this in the properties of one of the Startup Folder Links
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
How does this ProgramData directory relate to the profiles? Is this for all profiles?
If it isnt obvious I am confused about the structure of the profiles in general. Some over all help is really what I need.
Thanks again.
LK
So let me try and narrow down my confusion to a couple of Qs....
1) In what set of directories would I look for a program icon that was installed by an application?
2) How about the Startup folder? I found this directory but its outside of the profiles
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
Does this mean that all Startup icons are now in this \ProgramData\Vendor folder? How do i find just whats set to startup automatically? Look in each one?
3) Many of the 'Locked' Directories I could access in Explorer. All of the Shortcuts gave me Access Denied messages. Zupreme - you said that the locked dirs were shortcuts. What is the difference between the 3 states - Locked, Locked Access Denied, Shortcuts - Access Denied?
Again, Thanks for your help. Just looking at this through the dirs is confusing.
LK
By 'given link' I meant any link file in particular. (figure of speech.) By 'move it to the default directory for all users' I meant the profile that all users inherit from.
Ex. I copied a .lnk file created on the current user desktop
from
C:\Users\user1\Desktop
to
C:\Users\Default\Desktop
I then logged in with another domain users account and it was avialable on the desktop. Just what I expected. Im not sure that \default was the correct target directory but it worked in this instance.
What I need to understand is what each directory is for -
Ex. What is the difference between
\Administrator
\All Users
\Default
\Default Users
\Public
\USER1
And where do some of the link icons get mapped to within the directory structure.
Clicking on one of these shortcuts gives you an Access Denied message. Im assuming these are stored in system variables now. How do I find out where they actually point to?
Ex. Where are the directories for the Startup folder - the default profile (the one from which each user inherits from) and the current logged on user.
I have an application that on install gets added to the Startup Folder but only for the logged on user. I need this to be for all users. Where do I find the file in the currently logged on users profile and where does it get copied to?
I was able to find this in the properties of one of the Startup Folder Links
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
How does this ProgramData directory relate to the profiles? Is this for all profiles?
If it isnt obvious I am confused about the structure of the profiles in general. Some over all help is really what I need.
Thanks again.
LK
ASKER
Sorry - I forgot to remove my orignal garbage.... This post should have just been the first part.
I appreciate your help.
So let me try and narrow down my confusion to a couple of Qs....
1) In what set of directories would I look for a program icon that was installed by an application?
2) How about the Startup folder? I found this directory but its outside of the profiles
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
Does this mean that all Startup icons are now in this \ProgramData\Vendor folder? How do i find just whats set to startup automatically? Look in each one?
3) Many of the 'Locked' Directories I could access in Explorer. All of the Shortcuts gave me Access Denied messages. Zupreme - you said that the locked dirs were shortcuts. What is the difference between the 3 states - Locked, Locked Access Denied, Shortcuts - Access Denied?
Again, Thanks for your help. Just looking at this through the dirs is confusing.
LK
I appreciate your help.
So let me try and narrow down my confusion to a couple of Qs....
1) In what set of directories would I look for a program icon that was installed by an application?
2) How about the Startup folder? I found this directory but its outside of the profiles
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
Does this mean that all Startup icons are now in this \ProgramData\Vendor folder? How do i find just whats set to startup automatically? Look in each one?
3) Many of the 'Locked' Directories I could access in Explorer. All of the Shortcuts gave me Access Denied messages. Zupreme - you said that the locked dirs were shortcuts. What is the difference between the 3 states - Locked, Locked Access Denied, Shortcuts - Access Denied?
Again, Thanks for your help. Just looking at this through the dirs is confusing.
LK
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You have a "given link" - what does that mean?
...and "move it to the default directory for all users" - so what is considered default?