So I am writing an application that iterates through a specified directory tree and I was experimenting with the exception that handles permissions for folder access and there was one folder I came across that the compiler returned that had the directory of C:\ProgramData\Application Data
Does anyone know what this folder is? It doesn't seem to exist within Windows Explorer. Like, the folder isn't there. It's not hidden. It just isn't there. I was able to get inside the folder using an elevated command prompt but when I used the "dir" command to see what the folder contained, CMD returned:
"Directory of C:\ProgramData\Application Data
File Not Found"
I am curious to know what this folder is.....
The dir /a command is your friend here:
C:\ProgramData>dir /a
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 848A-BBB7
Directory of C:\ProgramData
23/05/2015 03:38 pm <DIR> .
23/05/2015 03:38 pm <DIR> ..
14/05/2015 10:28 pm <JUNCTION> Application Data [C:\ProgramData]
As you can see, Application Data is a junction point which points back to ProgramData. Windows includes a number of similar junction points, for backwards compatibility with older applications.
The security permissions on the junction point explicitly prohibit listing files, which is why you can't get a listing of its contents:
C:\ProgramData>icacls "Application Data" /L
Application Data Everyone:(DENY)(S,RD)
Everyone:(RX)
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(F)
BUILTIN\Administrators:(F)
Also, the junction point is marked System and Hidden:
C:\ProgramData>attrib /L "Application Data"
SH I C:\ProgramData\Application Data
which is why Explorer doesn't show it. (It appears that Explorer does not show junction points marked hidden and system, even if configured to show hidden items.)
