inaccessible system shortcuts?

[H. O.]

One problem with Vista I haven't been able to figure out (or understand why
this would happen) is why Windows-created shortcuts for user folders (my
documents, my music, my pictures, etc) aren't actually usable. When I click
on these shortcuts, I get the error "access is denied." Obviously it's not an
issue of permissions since these are for my own account.

 

[Not Me]

Those are not actual folders, they are junctions, put there to look like
folders and confuse people new to Vista.
Look under c:\users\your login for the actual folders

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

The are called Junction Points for legacy applications running on Vista that
are hard coded to look for them. They are there simply for compatibility
reasons.

Try browsing C:\User\User_name\Documents