Invalid hidden shortcuts in user folder

Question

I was trying to customize my StartMenu, and showed hidden files. If I go Computer -> users -> username, I see shortcuts for: AppData, Application data, local settings, start menu, and a few others. All of these, besides AppData, throw an {foldername} is not accessible. Access is denied error.

Is this normal?

I found something about %appdata%, so if I do %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu I can get into the folder.

Is there a good way to correct the shortcuts? I tried doing file>new> new shortcut - and used the path above, but I have the shortcut I just made, and the invalid one (which is listed as a folder - in Details view).

Answer 1

Junction points

Yes, that's normal. Those aren't standard shortcuts, rather junctions points used for compatibility reasons:

In Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, the default locations for user data and system data have changed. For example, user data that was previously stored in the %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings directory is now stored in the %SystemDrive%\Users directory.

Per-user junctions are created inside each individual user's profile to provide backward compatibility for user applications. The junction point at C:\Users\username\My Documents that points to C:\Users\username\Documents is an example of a per-user junction.

_{Source: Junction Points}

Since their only purpose is to avoid possible issues with old programs, the user is not meant to actually explore them, and so they denied the List folder / read data permissions to Everyone. If you were to change the permissions, you wouldn't get an "access denied" error anymore, and reach the target folder instead (e.g. Local Settings --> C:\Users\<userName>\AppData\Local).

Further reading

• NTFS junction point
• Junction Points