"All users" desktop and start menu?

[eucrow]

He,

I've got my own access denied issue. I recently downloaded a file for work
from a consultant's FTP site. Upon initiating the DL i was prompted as to
whether or not i wanted to save the file in the desktop folder. I figured
this would be fine and accepted. Unfortunately, the file ended up in the
c:\users\all users\desktop folder. All attempts to gain access to this
folder have failed, i've tried taking ownership, logging in as the Built-in
Admin, safe mode, trying to change permissions via the security tab while
logged in as the buil-in etc. nothing seems to work. Am i going to have to
live with keeping this data (about 1/2gb) until the next format, whenever
that may be? Is there any way to gain access to this folder, script etc.
Thanks in advance.

"Matt" wrote:

> Ok thanks
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
> > Matt
> >
> > You can Copy a shortcut, in another location and then Paste a shortcut to
> > that All Users Start Menu folder, but you need to right click the folder
> > itself (in the folder tree) and not inside the folder.
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> > Ronnie Vernon
> > Microsoft MVP
> > Windows Shell/User
> >
> > "Matt" <Matt@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:AA83F2D8-59F3-430E-A5E7-F8B01C808D24@microsoft.com...
> > > Hi
> > >
> > > yep thats right, whenever I try to add anything I get "cannot add
> > > shortcuts
> > > to here do you wish to add to your desktop". It will let me add new
> > > folders
> > > though.
> > >
> > > just experimenting with our student lab image as we rearrange the menu to
> > > group applications.
> > >
> > > thanks Matt
> > >
> > > "Jimmy Brush" wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hello,
> > >>
> > >> Sorry I no longer have this thread...
> > >>
> > >> You are attempting to add data to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start
> > >> Menu, correct?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> - JB
> > >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> > >>
> > >> Windows Vista Support Faq
> > >> http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
> > >>
> >

[Jane C]

C:\Users\Public\Desktop Try this location. I have no problems accessing it
at all.

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
"eucrow" <eucrow@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:31D38FDF-D392-4C44-8C65-B93DC3B27F02@microsoft.com...
> He,
>
> I've got my own access denied issue. I recently downloaded a file for
> work
> from a consultant's FTP site. Upon initiating the DL i was prompted as to
> whether or not i wanted to save the file in the desktop folder. I figured
> this would be fine and accepted. Unfortunately, the file ended up in the
> c:\users\all users\desktop folder. All attempts to gain access to this
> folder have failed, i've tried taking ownership, logging in as the
> Built-in
> Admin, safe mode, trying to change permissions via the security tab while
> logged in as the buil-in etc. nothing seems to work. Am i going to have
> to
> live with keeping this data (about 1/2gb) until the next format, whenever
> that may be? Is there any way to gain access to this folder, script etc.
> Thanks in advance.
>
> "Matt" wrote:
>
>> Ok thanks
>>
>> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>>
>> > Matt
>> >
>> > You can Copy a shortcut, in another location and then Paste a shortcut
>> > to
>> > that All Users Start Menu folder, but you need to right click the
>> > folder
>> > itself (in the folder tree) and not inside the folder.
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>> >
>> > Ronnie Vernon
>> > Microsoft MVP
>> > Windows Shell/User
>> >
>> > "Matt" <Matt@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> > news:AA83F2D8-59F3-430E-A5E7-F8B01C808D24@microsoft.com...
>> > > Hi
>> > >
>> > > yep thats right, whenever I try to add anything I get "cannot add
>> > > shortcuts
>> > > to here do you wish to add to your desktop". It will let me add new
>> > > folders
>> > > though.
>> > >
>> > > just experimenting with our student lab image as we rearrange the
>> > > menu to
>> > > group applications.
>> > >
>> > > thanks Matt
>> > >
>> > > "Jimmy Brush" wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> Hello,
>> > >>
>> > >> Sorry I no longer have this thread...
>> > >>
>> > >> You are attempting to add data to
>> > >> C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start
>> > >> Menu, correct?
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> --
>> > >> - JB
>> > >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
>> > >>
>> > >> Windows Vista Support Faq
>> > >> http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
>> > >>
>> >

[eucrow]

Thanks for the reply, but unfortunately while i can access the public\desktop
the file ended up downloaded to the all users\desktop which i can't seem to
access at all.

"Jane C" wrote:

> C:\Users\Public\Desktop Try this location. I have no problems accessing it
> at all.
>
> --
> Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
> Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
> "eucrow" <eucrow@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:31D38FDF-D392-4C44-8C65-B93DC3B27F02@microsoft.com...
> > He,
> >
> > I've got my own access denied issue. I recently downloaded a file for
> > work
> > from a consultant's FTP site. Upon initiating the DL i was prompted as to
> > whether or not i wanted to save the file in the desktop folder. I figured
> > this would be fine and accepted. Unfortunately, the file ended up in the
> > c:\users\all users\desktop folder. All attempts to gain access to this
> > folder have failed, i've tried taking ownership, logging in as the
> > Built-in
> > Admin, safe mode, trying to change permissions via the security tab while
> > logged in as the buil-in etc. nothing seems to work. Am i going to have
> > to
> > live with keeping this data (about 1/2gb) until the next format, whenever
> > that may be? Is there any way to gain access to this folder, script etc.
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > "Matt" wrote:
> >
> >> Ok thanks
> >>
> >> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
> >>
> >> > Matt
> >> >
> >> > You can Copy a shortcut, in another location and then Paste a shortcut
> >> > to
> >> > that All Users Start Menu folder, but you need to right click the
> >> > folder
> >> > itself (in the folder tree) and not inside the folder.
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Ronnie Vernon
> >> > Microsoft MVP
> >> > Windows Shell/User
> >> >
> >> > "Matt" <Matt@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> > news:AA83F2D8-59F3-430E-A5E7-F8B01C808D24@microsoft.com...
> >> > > Hi
> >> > >
> >> > > yep thats right, whenever I try to add anything I get "cannot add
> >> > > shortcuts
> >> > > to here do you wish to add to your desktop". It will let me add new
> >> > > folders
> >> > > though.
> >> > >
> >> > > just experimenting with our student lab image as we rearrange the
> >> > > menu to
> >> > > group applications.
> >> > >
> >> > > thanks Matt
> >> > >
> >> > > "Jimmy Brush" wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > >> Hello,
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Sorry I no longer have this thread...
> >> > >>
> >> > >> You are attempting to add data to
> >> > >> C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start
> >> > >> Menu, correct?
> >> > >>
> >> > >>
> >> > >> --
> >> > >> - JB
> >> > >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Windows Vista Support Faq
> >> > >> http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
> >> > >>
> >> >
>
>

[Proudmale]

The inability to access the all users start menu is a major flaw in Vista. I
have purchased three machines for my household, all running Vista, and this
lack of functionality makes me long for XP, only they came with Vista.

Case in point, I have an 87 year old father, beggining stages of Alzhiemers,
that I cannot teach new ways of doing things to. I loaded his new machine
with the software, and then attempted to arrange the start menu into his
familiar groups. No matter how much I try gaining permissions, taking
ownership, etc. I always get an error message that access is denied.

The paste technique will not work for me as it still leaves the install
menus in the All Users start menu. Without deleting those, I am still left
with a setup he will not recognize.

As my old friend Starbuck used to say, This is a bunch of feldercarb. Why
would there need to be such strict protection around the start menu. In XP
Pro, XP Home, and NT, this would take me about 15 minutes to resolve. I have
already spent several hours on it, and now have an expensive paper weight my
father cannot use. Further, I cannot simply load my old XP and then upgrade
to Vista Home Premium, as you cannot upgrade that way.

If anybody has a solution, please post it.

"Matt" wrote:

> Ok thanks
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote:
>
> > Matt
> >
> > You can Copy a shortcut, in another location and then Paste a shortcut to
> > that All Users Start Menu folder, but you need to right click the folder
> > itself (in the folder tree) and not inside the folder.
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> > Ronnie Vernon
> > Microsoft MVP
> > Windows Shell/User
> >
> > "Matt" <Matt@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:AA83F2D8-59F3-430E-A5E7-F8B01C808D24@microsoft.com...
> > > Hi
> > >
> > > yep thats right, whenever I try to add anything I get "cannot add
> > > shortcuts
> > > to here do you wish to add to your desktop". It will let me add new
> > > folders
> > > though.
> > >
> > > just experimenting with our student lab image as we rearrange the menu to
> > > group applications.
> > >
> > > thanks Matt
> > >
> > > "Jimmy Brush" wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hello,
> > >>
> > >> Sorry I no longer have this thread...
> > >>
> > >> You are attempting to add data to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start
> > >> Menu, correct?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> - JB
> > >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> > >>
> > >> Windows Vista Support Faq
> > >> http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
> > >>
> >

[gigodemon]

Hi,

Use Tidy Start Menu for group creation -
http://www.tidystartmenu.com

For pleasant work with this program in Windows Vista you should -
1. Right click on program and select - "Run as administrator"
2. After you finish, log off and log on to update items in start menu.

Also I may recommend to try Vista Start Menu -
http://www.vistastartmenu.com


--
Best regards, Dennis Nazarenko
http://www.ordinarysoft.com
> The inability to access the all usersstartmenuis a major flaw in Vista. I
> have purchased three machines for my household, all running Vista, and this
> lack of functionality makes me long for XP, only they came with Vista.
>
> Case in point, I have an 87 year old father, beggining stages of Alzhiemers,
> that I cannot teach new ways of doing things to. I loaded his new machine
> with the software, and then attempted to arrange thestartmenuinto his
> familiar groups. No matter how much I try gaining permissions, taking
> ownership, etc. I always get an error message that access is denied.
>
> The paste technique will not work for me as it still leaves the install
> menus in the All Usersstartmenu. Without deleting those, I am still left
> with a setup he will not recognize.
>
> As my old friend Starbuck used to say, This is a bunch of feldercarb. Why
> would there need to be such strict protection around thestartmenu. In XP
> Pro, XP Home, and NT, this would take me about 15 minutes to resolve. I have
> already spent several hours on it, and now have an expensive paper weight my
> father cannot use. Further, I cannot simply load my old XP and then upgrade
> to Vista Home Premium, as you cannot upgrade that way.
>
> If anybody has a solution, please post it.

[Jimmy Brush]

The "all users" desktop is located in c:\users\public\desktop in Windows
Vista.

If your file is not there, then it is not in the "all users" desktop, it is
somewhere else.

The location "\all users\desktop" does not exist in Vista. There is a
"thing" that exists that is called "all users", but this is not a folder,
and it cannot contain any files.


--
- JB
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

Windows Vista Support Faq
http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

[Jimmy Brush]

- Is your user account an administrator?
- Are you accessing C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu ?
- What error are you getting when you try to delete a folder in there?


--
- JB
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

Windows Vista Support Faq
http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:52:03 -0800, Proudmale

>The inability to access the all users start menu is a major flaw in Vista. I
>have purchased three machines for my household, all running Vista, and this
>lack of functionality makes me long for XP, only they came with Vista.

Don't get confused between permissions issues, and locations that
literally do not exist.

I know it's confusing, but the essence is that at last Windows is
applying differential control over programs and automation, putting
the interactive user back in charge.

When you see an "old" location that's totally inaccessible, such as
"My Documents" or "All Users\Desktop", you are looking at a file
system item called a "junction". This allows programs hard-coded to
the old paths to reach the new paths, so what you need to do is go
directly to the new path instead...

"My Documents" = Documents
"My Documents\My Pictures" = Pictures
"My Documents\My Videos" = Videos
"My Documents\My Music" = Music
"All Users" = Public
"All Users\Desktop" = Public\Desktop
"All Users\My Documents\My Videos" = Public\Videos

....etc.

>Case in point, I have an 87 year old father, beggining stages of Alzhiemers,
>that I cannot teach new ways of doing things to.

In such cases, I do NOT use new versions of OS etc. and instead, try
and keep them in the same "bubble". My own father learned Word Star 5
for DOS in the XT vs. 286 era, so his current PC is a Celeron-533 that
boots into Win98SE DOS Mode with the same familiar 3rd-party DOS menu
linking to good old Word Star in exactly the same way.

>start menu into his familiar groups.

Rt-click the "Orb" (Start), Explore All Users
Set up menu to taste
Expect lots of UAC prompts :-/

>The paste technique will not work for me as it still leaves the install
>menus in the All Users start menu. Without deleting those, I am still left
>with a setup he will not recognize.

As above. Navigating there via Rt-click, Orb (or Start) avoids the
whole issue of whether this is really All Users\Start Menu or
Public\Start Menu, and makes things MUCH easier :-)



>--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -
Saws are too hard to use.
Be easier to use!
>--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -

[PM]

I am logged in as an administrator. I have tried "windows explorer" right
click "run as administrator" option. Still unsuccessful. Under my "Public"
folder, I only have "documents", "downloads", "music", "pictures", "videos",
& "recorded tv". I do not have a folder entitled "desktop". I am wanting to
do some changes to what shows up on each of my user's desktops. I have been
following this thread & it sounds like I can move from the public desktop to
my individual desktop or my kids desktops. BUT, I do not have a
Public\Desktop folder. Or I'm looking in the wrong place. Can someone help
me find it?

"cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)" wrote:

> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:52:03 -0800, Proudmale
>
> >The inability to access the all users start menu is a major flaw in Vista. I
> >have purchased three machines for my household, all running Vista, and this
> >lack of functionality makes me long for XP, only they came with Vista.
>
> Don't get confused between permissions issues, and locations that
> literally do not exist.
>
> I know it's confusing, but the essence is that at last Windows is
> applying differential control over programs and automation, putting
> the interactive user back in charge.
>
> When you see an "old" location that's totally inaccessible, such as
> "My Documents" or "All Users\Desktop", you are looking at a file
> system item called a "junction". This allows programs hard-coded to
> the old paths to reach the new paths, so what you need to do is go
> directly to the new path instead...
>
> "My Documents" = Documents
> "My Documents\My Pictures" = Pictures
> "My Documents\My Videos" = Videos
> "My Documents\My Music" = Music
> "All Users" = Public
> "All Users\Desktop" = Public\Desktop
> "All Users\My Documents\My Videos" = Public\Videos
>
> ....etc.
>
> >Case in point, I have an 87 year old father, beggining stages of Alzhiemers,
> >that I cannot teach new ways of doing things to.
>
> In such cases, I do NOT use new versions of OS etc. and instead, try
> and keep them in the same "bubble". My own father learned Word Star 5
> for DOS in the XT vs. 286 era, so his current PC is a Celeron-533 that
> boots into Win98SE DOS Mode with the same familiar 3rd-party DOS menu
> linking to good old Word Star in exactly the same way.
>
> >start menu into his familiar groups.
>
> Rt-click the "Orb" (Start), Explore All Users
> Set up menu to taste
> Expect lots of UAC prompts :-/
>
> >The paste technique will not work for me as it still leaves the install
> >menus in the All Users start menu. Without deleting those, I am still left
> >with a setup he will not recognize.
>
> As above. Navigating there via Rt-click, Orb (or Start) avoids the
> whole issue of whether this is really All Users\Start Menu or
> Public\Start Menu, and makes things MUCH easier :-)
>
>
>
> >--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -
> Saws are too hard to use.
> Be easier to use!
> >--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -
>

[PM]

I am logged on as admin. I have tried Windows Explorer "run as admin".
Still unsuccessful. In my Public folder there is no "desktop" folder. I
only have documents, downloads, pictures, videos, & recorded tv folders
listed under the Public folder. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong.
Based on the info in this thread, I am in the right place but just do not
have a \Public\Desktop folder. I am wanting to move some items out of the
public desktop folder into individual user desktop folders in order to
customize mine & my families desktops in each respective user account.

"cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)" wrote:

> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:52:03 -0800, Proudmale
>
> >The inability to access the all users start menu is a major flaw in Vista. I
> >have purchased three machines for my household, all running Vista, and this
> >lack of functionality makes me long for XP, only they came with Vista.
>
> Don't get confused between permissions issues, and locations that
> literally do not exist.
>
> I know it's confusing, but the essence is that at last Windows is
> applying differential control over programs and automation, putting
> the interactive user back in charge.
>
> When you see an "old" location that's totally inaccessible, such as
> "My Documents" or "All Users\Desktop", you are looking at a file
> system item called a "junction". This allows programs hard-coded to
> the old paths to reach the new paths, so what you need to do is go
> directly to the new path instead...
>
> "My Documents" = Documents
> "My Documents\My Pictures" = Pictures
> "My Documents\My Videos" = Videos
> "My Documents\My Music" = Music
> "All Users" = Public
> "All Users\Desktop" = Public\Desktop
> "All Users\My Documents\My Videos" = Public\Videos
>
> ....etc.
>
> >Case in point, I have an 87 year old father, beggining stages of Alzhiemers,
> >that I cannot teach new ways of doing things to.
>
> In such cases, I do NOT use new versions of OS etc. and instead, try
> and keep them in the same "bubble". My own father learned Word Star 5
> for DOS in the XT vs. 286 era, so his current PC is a Celeron-533 that
> boots into Win98SE DOS Mode with the same familiar 3rd-party DOS menu
> linking to good old Word Star in exactly the same way.
>
> >start menu into his familiar groups.
>
> Rt-click the "Orb" (Start), Explore All Users
> Set up menu to taste
> Expect lots of UAC prompts :-/
>
> >The paste technique will not work for me as it still leaves the install
> >menus in the All Users start menu. Without deleting those, I am still left
> >with a setup he will not recognize.
>
> As above. Navigating there via Rt-click, Orb (or Start) avoids the
> whole issue of whether this is really All Users\Start Menu or
> Public\Start Menu, and makes things MUCH easier :-)
>
>
>
> >--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -
> Saws are too hard to use.
> Be easier to use!
> >--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -
>

[Jimmy Brush]

PM wrote:
> I am logged on as admin. I have tried Windows Explorer "run as admin".
> Still unsuccessful. In my Public folder there is no "desktop" folder. I
> only have documents, downloads, pictures, videos, & recorded tv folders
> listed under the Public folder. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong.
> Based on the info in this thread, I am in the right place but just do not
> have a \Public\Desktop folder. I am wanting to move some items out of the
> public desktop folder into individual user desktop folders in order to
> customize mine & my families desktops in each respective user account.


Hello,

This folder is hidden.

To see it, you will need to click Organize -> Folder and search options
-> View tab, and enable show hidden files.

--
-JB
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
Windows Vista Support FAQ - http://www.jimmah.com/vista/

[dt_tex]

I am trying to edit the default[formerly AllUsers] Start Menu/Programs list
also.

I can manage to 'see' StartMenu/programs for my Admin user, my own
user[admin group] and my Default user by going through
[user]/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/StartMenu - after all hidden files
have been shown & I use Explorer as administrator.
I can see folders for some software that has been installed, but not ALL
software. [ALL software was installed by my own user &, if asked, enabled for
all users to access.] For example, Google Toolbar has been installed. I can
see the shortcut on my Start/Programs menu - but I cannot see it listed on
the Start/programs menu for ANY user, so I cannot put it into a folder.
I also cannot 'drag & drop' it on the Start/Programs menu when in use, as I
could in previous MS OS products.
I really need to edit the default Start/Programs menu. What do I do next?

"Jimmy Brush" wrote:

> PM wrote:
> > I am logged on as admin. I have tried Windows Explorer "run as admin".
> > Still unsuccessful. In my Public folder there is no "desktop" folder. I
> > only have documents, downloads, pictures, videos, & recorded tv folders
> > listed under the Public folder. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong.
> > Based on the info in this thread, I am in the right place but just do not
> > have a \Public\Desktop folder. I am wanting to move some items out of the
> > public desktop folder into individual user desktop folders in order to
> > customize mine & my families desktops in each respective user account.
>
>
> Hello,
>
> This folder is hidden.
>
> To see it, you will need to click Organize -> Folder and search options
> -> View tab, and enable show hidden files.
>
> --
> -JB
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> Windows Vista Support FAQ - http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
>

[Jane C]

Hi,

The All Users Start menu is here:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

You can right-click on the Start orb and select 'Open All Users' to get
there.

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Shell/User

"dt_tex" <dttex@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:61064317-E953-4232-9D6A-4EFE3969A4F6@microsoft.com...
>I am trying to edit the default[formerly AllUsers] Start Menu/Programs list
> also.
>
> I can manage to 'see' StartMenu/programs for my Admin user, my own
> user[admin group] and my Default user by going through
> [user]/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/StartMenu - after all hidden
> files
> have been shown & I use Explorer as administrator.
> I can see folders for some software that has been installed, but not ALL
> software. [ALL software was installed by my own user &, if asked, enabled
> for
> all users to access.] For example, Google Toolbar has been installed. I
> can
> see the shortcut on my Start/Programs menu - but I cannot see it listed on
> the Start/programs menu for ANY user, so I cannot put it into a folder.
> I also cannot 'drag & drop' it on the Start/Programs menu when in use, as
> I
> could in previous MS OS products.
> I really need to edit the default Start/Programs menu. What do I do next?
>
> "Jimmy Brush" wrote:
>
>> PM wrote:
>> > I am logged on as admin. I have tried Windows Explorer "run as admin".
>> > Still unsuccessful. In my Public folder there is no "desktop" folder.
>> > I
>> > only have documents, downloads, pictures, videos, & recorded tv folders
>> > listed under the Public folder. Can anyone tell me what I am doing
>> > wrong.
>> > Based on the info in this thread, I am in the right place but just do
>> > not
>> > have a \Public\Desktop folder. I am wanting to move some items out of
>> > the
>> > public desktop folder into individual user desktop folders in order to
>> > customize mine & my families desktops in each respective user account.
>>
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> This folder is hidden.
>>
>> To see it, you will need to click Organize -> Folder and search options
>> -> View tab, and enable show hidden files.
>>
>> --
>> -JB
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
>> Windows Vista Support FAQ - http://www.jimmah.com/vista/
>>