PROGRAM FILES AND PROGRAMDATA

[Lindsay Graham]

Could someone please explain (or point me to a web site that contains an
explanation) the difference between C:\Program Files and C:\ProgramData for
Vista Home Premium?

And how do they relate to C:\Program Files that existed in Windows XP and
earlier Windows versions?

Thanks in advance.

Lindsay Graham
Canberra, Australia

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Program Data is a "virtualized" folder used by Vista so that programs and
users running with normal rights can work around a security feature of
Vista. Only full Administrator users can write to the Program Files folder,
so any time a program or user with lesser rights wants to write to Program
Files, that action is redirected to Program Data instead.

Use Google to search for a full explanation.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm