Win 7 Folders Locked

In Win 7 for some unknown reason, the ownership of a bunch of my files (Users, Application Data, Cookies, etc., etc) got changed from me to System. I followed all the steps and changed ownership back to me system wide, then went and changed ownership to each individual file back to me. And, I still can't access the files. I searched here to see if I could find this question already answered, but what I found was the steps I've already been through. Anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong and/or what I need to do next to get these files unlocked?
Thanks
Linda

 

You don't have access to the Application Data & Cookies folders. Then again, if you can see them, you do have access to the Users folder. :confused
Which files are you trying to access?

 

It's permissions rather than ownership that determine who can access files and folders.

 

Just expand on that, ownership lets you set user permissions, but doesn't necessarily give you access.

 

When I go to the Users folder I can see all of the Users Folders. When I click on Linda I can open Application Data, but all the rest of the folders (Cookies, Local Settings, My Documents, etc) I get access denied.

 

No you can't. You can open AppData.
All those folders with the blue shortcut arrow you can't open simply because you don't need to.
Again which files do you want to access?

 

Sorry Eldon, I'll be more precise. Let's work on Cookies OK?
C: Users -> Linda -> Double clicking on Cookies give me a box -> "C:\Users\Linda\Cookies is not accessible. Access is denied."

I would like to open that folder to look at the individual cookies inside.

 

Why "don't I need to"?

 

They are hidden and protected operating system files.

Here are your Cookies.
C:\Users\Linda\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies

Double-click Low and you'll see all the Cookies.

 

Thank you Eldon. That takes care of all of my questions. I appreciate your help.

Linda

 

LindaH...

Sorry to interrupt, but maybe I can help. The folders with the blue arrow, including Application Data, are (I believe but may be mistaken) for data for programs written for Windows XP. That data I think is recopied automatically to a correct location in Windows 7 in AppData. OK this is pure conjecture, but I haven't run across an old program written for XP that won't run, so I'm sticking with the hypothesis. :-orolleyes

I think Eldon is right about that, and it looks like his direction to the Cookies folder is correct, also. I cannot access the arrowed folders either on my Windows 7 PCs, either.

EDIT: I see this is resolved sorry. Thanks for the link dr.moriarity. I'm a little surprised I was on the right track about this, actually, but knowledge is all good...

 

You're welcome.
Be carefull when you access that hidden folder: "C:\Users\Linda\AppData". In the Local and Roaming folders you'll find all kinds of hidden folders & files, including your temporary internet files which is an eye-opener when you see all the files downloaded to your PC.

Here's the address:
C:\Users\Linda\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Low\Content.IE5

Thanks for the link dr.moriarty, and yes AtlBo, you where on the right track.

 

Thanks for hopping in AltBo. I'm always looking to gain more understanding of how things work in Win7. I wish some of my programs that ran great in XP would run in Win7. I wonder if I'm the only person that has their old XP desktop still up and running (but not connected to the internet) so they can use their old programs.

 

I normally have my hidden and system files visible and accessible, which is probably why these locked files were making me crazy. Thanks for the info it certainly helps. In looking at some of the downloaded files I found a couple I've been hunting for! Thanks again for all of your help Eldon.

 

So do I!

Slightly off topic...
If you have a problem running older programs in Windows 7, start a thread - we'll try to help, and you'll be surprised how many older programs will run in Windows 7.
I run Windows XP & 7 on a partitioned hard disc.

 

Eldon, I apologize for the delay in thanking you for this suggestion. I will take you up on that suggestion before long.

 

LindaJH...

I missed your earlier post, apologies. To second Eldon again, I haven't run across any programs that will run in XP that won't run in Windows 7 so far. I keep a number of older installers for freeware and so on, because they are from an older version of a program when it was simpler to use or because the older version just seems to run better for me. All of those are working fine on Windows 7 PCs here.

Good luck. I have grown sort of fond of Windows 7 now that I have had the opportunity to use it for a year or two. It is unusual looking in the user folder and seeing all of those strange folders, and that has taken me some getting used to. The little things are nice, though, like better Windows Explorer and the search bar...

Oh, btw, I have two PCs that still run Windows XP. Don't use them much, but I do enjoy rummaging around in XP sometimes. It's painfully nostalgic, but I really do like it still in spite of its at times beastly temperament. Maybe elemental would be a term that could be used to describe it, idk...

 

I have several programs that run in XP that won't run in Win7. As Eldon suggested I'll start a new thread on this topic. I can't do it now because I'm swamped with work and other things, but I will - probably after the holidays.

 

You do that.
As an example, Adobe Audition 1, released in 2003, runs in Windows 7.