When I use the third-party file search program called "File Locator Pro" I find two pathnames: "C:\Users\All Users\Nuance\NaturallySpeaking11\Users\SteveB" and "C:\ProgramData\Nuance\NaturallySpeaking11\Users\SteveB". Apparently these are two different pathnames to identically the same folder. When the folders are compared, they are identical in every aspect (i.e. Filename, timestamps and, content), when I delete one, the other is deleted and, when I rename one, the other is renamed without any explicit action by me! Also, the publisher of NaturallySpeaking assures me that only one of these folders was created by Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Is there some alias-like function in Windows 7 by which a single file or folder can have two different fully qualified path names? If there is such a function, is there some way to disable it?Steve Behman

It's called a symbolic link, the same as in UNIX. Only one of the folders your seeing actually exists, the other is just a link for compatibility with the way Windows 7 works. Don't try to delete it or turn off the feature, you'll break your program and probably Windows. Besides, the "link" folder isn't actually taking up any room on the disk.

C:\users\all users is a symbolic link pointing to C:\ProgramData. A symbolic link is much like a shortcut so there are not two of each file, just two ways of accessing it. There are many Symbolic Links and Junction Points in the filesystem of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Another one that is much used is the Junction Point C:\Documents and settings pointing to C:\Users. The reason for this is that it is an easy way to make a lot of apps compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7. Using the examples above, old apps looking for files that are stored in C:\ProgramData will find what they are looking for even if they look in C:\Users\All Users or C:\Documents and settings\All Users. Although it is possible to remove these links I think you'll run into a lot more trouble than you bargained for. To see how widely they are used you can use a command line window, go to C:\ and run "dir /a:l /s". By default Junction Points and Symbolic Links are hidden so the easiest way to get rid of the "problem" is to choose not to show hidden files and folders in Windows Explorer.

Bob and Eirik, Thank you very much for your responses. From what you have said, I surmise that "C:\Users\All Users\" and "C:\ProgramData" are, in some sense, built-in synonyms and Eirik suggests that there are many others. I have been a programmer since 1956 and, being from the "old school", tend to resent many of the things that are done for (or to) me without my explicit action or consent – but that's a long story. In the full spirit of "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" do you know of anywhere I can find a full list of the symbolic links? Again thanks, A Crotchety Old ManSteve Behman

If you, as said above, run "dir /a:l /s" from the root of your system drive you'll get all symbolic links and junction points on your system.