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Windows Vista Understanding Virtualization and 'Junctions'

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by MikeDeveloper, 2007/05/19.

  1. 2007/05/19
    MikeDeveloper

    MikeDeveloper Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am having a really hard time just understanding what VISTA is doing, let alone figuring out how to re-write my app and installer to avoid having any of my data files 'virtualized'

    Am I correct that the common 'special folders" we all know and love like 'My Documents' and 'Local Settings' etc etc are no more, and have been replaced with 'junctions' for backward compatability?

    Lets take the "junction" 'My Documents' for example:
    If I open the C: drive and look in the 'Users' folder I see my name 'Mike'
    I assume this is the folder for the user name Mike i created as Administrator?

    When I look in this folder I see the junctions:
    Cookies
    Local Settings
    My Documents
    NetHood
    PrintHood
    Recent
    SendTo
    StartMenu
    Templates

    (Trying to open any of these results in the 'access denied' alert)

    Where do the files that are created in these folders by my (or any other) application ACTUALLY RESIDE?

    Have they been 'virtualized' to a different folder?
    Can I gain access to this folder and view its contents?

    If I retrieve the path for %CSIDL_APPDATA I get:
    C:Users\Mike\AppData\Roaming\
    Is this where 'My Documents' has been virtualized to?

    If I retrieve the path for %CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA programatically I get:
    C:programData\

    While we are on the subject of virtualization, My installer puts down some .ini files and database files in the folder:
    C:\Program Files\MyApp\
    These are immediatly virtualized as under VISTA (as you may not modify any data files in the programs folder)
    The big question is: Where have they gone?

    Confused
    Mike
     
  2. 2007/05/19
    Paul

    Paul Inactive

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    Paul,
    #2

  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2007/05/19
    MikeDeveloper

    MikeDeveloper Inactive Thread Starter

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    @Paul,
    Thank you for that link. Yes that helps with junction points, but not my specific questions about where files actually go.
     
  5. 2007/05/20
    uhaligani

    uhaligani Inactive

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    They are all still there.
    If you want to get to them go through Users/Yourname/Appdata/Microsoft.
    If you find you are still locked out for security considerations,(I am logged on always as Administrator, so can use them without problems) then go this way:
    Click Start>>Control Panel. Click Security. Then click Internet Options.

    Under "Browsing history," click Settings. Click "View files." You'll see Internet Explorer's Temporary Internet Files, including cookies. You can select and delete any items in the list.

    You can also use Internet Options settings to block third-party cookies. Select the Privacy tab. Then click the Advanced button. Mark the checkbox labeled "Override automatic cookie handling." This opens options for blocking first-party or third-party cookies.

    The process is different for other browsers. To see Firefox's cookies, start by opening Firefox. Click Tools>>Options. Select the Privacy tab. Click the Show Cookies button. You'll see options to delete individual or all cookies.
     
  6. 2007/05/20
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Under your username (Mike)...the "old" My Documents folder links to the new Documents folder. The old My Music links to Music. The old My Pictures links to Pictures.

    If you had something in, say, My Music in Win XP/2000, when you go to Start -> Documents, you will see it in the Music folder.

    That is my understanding.

    Matt
    Edit: Vista does not use direct pathways. At the moment, I have two different links showing to the Documents folder, one is clicking Computer -> Documents...the other is using Windows Explorer -> Computer > Local Disk(C: ) > Users > [username] > Documents.
     
    Last edited: 2007/05/20
  7. 2007/05/20
    MikeDeveloper

    MikeDeveloper Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thx guys,

    but I am reallyu asking, where files like .ini files created by my application go when they are virtualized?

    mike
    PS
    IS this "I don't like advertising" a real post or a board bot?
     
  8. 2007/05/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    MikeDeveloper

    It's an encouragement to become a Contributing Member :)
     

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