Minor Vista Issues *****​Resolved***​**

Ok, so I've had 2 minor disagreements with Vista today.

<rant>

#1   I can't find the Shell folder, which AFAIK in XP it was HDD > WINDOWS > Shell32, but of course, it's not in Vista or I would've found it. Anyone who can tell me where it is I would be very greatful.

#2   Why the hell can't I access files on my own computer! Fine, it's not something I'd want to do every day, but it's really annoying! It's MY computer, I'M the ONLY administrator/user, I should have access to EVERY file on my computer! Is there a crack/way I can turn off this constant "you don't have the right to go into that folder" message!

That is really starting to annoy me, if I could be bothered I would switch back to XP in an instant because of that issue. MY computer, MY files. I should be able to access them, even if they're system files. After all, I paid for them, therefore I own them, so I should be able to access them!

</rant>

Another C9v4 suggestion; I'm full of these today, I'll add this to beta feedback soon: If we put <rant> blah </rant>, could the editor put like a little "quote" type thing into the post, but in red or something? If we go <code> blah code blah whatever </code> it shows up with a green background or something. I don't know, bit it'd be handy. If you're not going to bother adding in the font size/type changer into the post editor, then this would be handy as otherwise it'd be more difficult to po[r?]tray these things.

Lloyd

Lloyd_Humph wrote:

#1   I can't find the Shell folder, which AFAIK in XP it was HDD > WINDOWS > Shell32, but of course, it's not in Vista or I would've found it. Anyone who can tell me where it is I would be very greatful.

I am not sure a shell32 ever existed... what is supposed to be in it?

Lloyd_Humph wrote:

#2   Why the hell can't I access files on my own computer! Fine, it's not something I'd want to do every day, but it's really annoying! It's MY computer, I'M the ONLY administrator/user, I should have access to EVERY file on my computer! Is there a crack/way I can turn off this constant "you don't have the right to go into that folder" message!

Which files, which folders?

I have an HDD with files from an old build, so I get the prompts about them all the time (all files had my old user token/UID on them, hence Vista thinks that I don't really own them).  I just changed all the permissions and it seems ok now.  I'd reccomend creating a link to an elevated session of windows explorer.

PaoloM wrote:



Lloyd_Humph wrote: #1   I can't find the Shell folder, which AFAIK in XP it was HDD > WINDOWS > Shell32, but of course, it's not in Vista or I would've found it. Anyone who can tell me where it is I would be very greatful.

I am not sure a shell32 ever existed... what is supposed to be in it?

Lloyd_Humph wrote: #2   Why the hell can't I access files on my own computer! Fine, it's not something I'd want to do every day, but it's really annoying! It's MY computer, I'M the ONLY administrator/user, I should have access to EVERY file on my computer! Is there a crack/way I can turn off this constant "you don't have the right to go into that folder" message!

Which files, which folders?

[/quote]

Shell files. Y'know! Shell ("C:\blah\shell32\launchthisapp.exe") all of windows shell executables were kept there. Calc, notepad, every app to do with windows.

RE:Which files, which folders?
I've got two accounts, weirdly enough : Admin and Lloyd Humphreys. If I try to access anything in the Administrator account, it doesn't let me. Shouldn't I have a higher authority over ANY user on my computer?

I was just digging around in there to see if the shell folders where there, after all, My Video, My Music etc. were all moved and I am not allowed to enter them except from my root folder; not inside Documents. Again, confusing; I would've thought Vista's install would've deleted these and explained perhaps.

blowdart wrote:



Lloyd_Humph wrote:  I've got two accounts, weirdly enough : Admin and Lloyd Humphreys. If I try to access anything in the Administrator account, it doesn't let me. Shouldn't I have a higher authority over ANY user on my computer? .

Oh goodness now, the SYSTEM account for example has more rights than Administrator.

For example; try killing a service started as system in task manager. You can't.

I know that, but as the sole owner of my computer/OS, I should be allowed unlimited access to anything on that computer/OS; correct?

Lloyd_Humph wrote:

Shell files. Y'know! Shell ("C:\blah\shell32\launchthisapp.exe") all of windows shell executables were kept there. Calc, notepad, every app to do with windows.

Oh, you mean System32 It's still in C:\Windows\System32

Lloyd_Humph wrote:

I've got two accounts, weirdly enough : Admin and Lloyd Humphreys. If I try to access anything in the Administrator account, it doesn't let me. Shouldn't I have a higher authority over ANY user on my computer?

I was just digging around in there to see if the shell folders where there, after all, My Video, My Music etc. were all moved and I am not allowed to enter them except from my root folder; not inside Documents. Again, confusing; I would've thought Vista's install would've deleted these and explained perhaps.

I am a bit confused. Is your Lloyd account in the Administrator group? What exactly are you trying to access?

I don't exactly want to access a SYSTEM file, but it's just the principle: I own the PC, I own the files, I should be allowed to view whatever I want.

PaoloM wrote:



Lloyd_Humph wrote: Shell files. Y'know! Shell ("C:\blah\shell32\launchthisapp.exe") all of windows shell executables were kept there. Calc, notepad, every app to do with windows.

Oh, you mean System32 It's still in C:\Windows\System32

Lloyd_Humph wrote: I've got two accounts, weirdly enough : Admin and Lloyd Humphreys. If I try to access anything in the Administrator account, it doesn't let me. Shouldn't I have a higher authority over ANY user on my computer? I was just digging around in there to see if the shell folders where there, after all, My Video, My Music etc. were all moved and I am not allowed to enter them except from my root folder; not inside Documents. Again, confusing; I would've thought Vista's install would've deleted these and explained perhaps.

I am a bit confused. Is your Lloyd account in the Administrator group? What exactly are you trying to access?

Whoops, I meant System32\Shell32/Shell - I need the shell folder

I can't remember exactly what I was trying to access, but it was in the system account named "Administrator". And yes, my account is an admin. The only admin; the only user (well, supposedly).

What exactly can't you access as an administrator? it isn't like System is there to take all your things and you cannot do a thing while it sits there laughing at you.

Lloyd_Humph wrote:

I know that, but as the sole owner of my computer/OS, I should be allowed unlimited access to anything on that computer/OS; correct?

No, you shouldn't.

In general, computer users are idiots and need to be protected from themselves.

Remember all those horror-stories of people who thought they should "organise" the Windows directories "by putting all the dlls together"?

Yes, it is possible to get SYSTEM powers (via a trick with Services) but this functionality is hidden for a reason.

And even if the user is informed and educated, who'se to say the programs they're running weren't badly coded or malicious?

Right now most modern operating systems protect themselves from their users, but fail to product the users' documents. Arguably, your personal documents are worth more to a Ransom Cracker than your windir, so I reckon Windows 7 or 8 will introduce means to protect your documents from unauthorised access with granularity beyond mere User ACLs.

Shell files. Y'know! Shell ("C:\blah\shell32\launchthisapp.exe") all of windows shell executables were kept there. Calc, notepad, every app to do with windows.

No shell32 folder on my XP system. Perhaps you're thinking of system32?

PS: notepad.exe is in both c:\Windows, and c:\Windows\System32

And of course, Raymond Chen has the answer as to why.

blowdart wrote:



Lloyd_Humph wrote: I don't exactly want to access a SYSTEM file, but it's just the principle: I own the PC, I own the files, I should be allowed to view whatever I want.

So principle over security? Turn UAC off then.

How? I'm about to Google it, but you may already know.

Lloyd_Humph wrote:

Whoops, I meant System32\Shell32/Shell - I need the shell folder

I am pretty sure a System32\shell32 folder never existed... what are you expecting to find in it?

Lloyd_Humph wrote:

I can't remember exactly what I was trying to access, but it was in the system account named "Administrator". And yes, my account is an admin. The only admin; the only user (well, supposedly).

Try to replicate the issue and write down the steps. It's very helpful in trying to diagnose the problem.