> >
> > Status Update.
> > I asked the customer to un-install my app, and the apps folder containing remnants.
> > I then asked him to re-install, from the same CD, but to change the Install folder to c:\my app.
> >
> > The customer has reported that this worked.
> >
> > Matter of interest, the Virtual files (which were not requested to be deleted) were obviously not re-used by Vista in this instance.
> >
> > Are there any problems with this installation - now that it is entirely out of the Program Files structure?
> > I ask this for clarification because, when creating an installshield project, Installshield recommends placing the installation folder under Program Files.
> >
> > If its OK, I can make this the standard, and have a common CD for all versions of windows.
> >
> > George
>
> George,
>
> Further to what Doug gave you, the key to this is to split up the application from the data. The EXE can go into the Programs folder structure, but the data cannot. Your app is basically a desktop app and you probably do not have anyone trying to share the data, so you may be unused to this. In a typical app, you would store your data on a server and your exe would go on the client machine. Your sysadmin would grant approptiate permissions and allow the users to look at the shared data folder on the server. The EXE sits somewhere in the Programs folder structure and all is well. In your case however, you will need to store your data directory in something like C:\Application Data\MyApp. Now your data no longer sits in the Programs directory structure so no virtualization. So far so good, but your app now needs to know where to go look for this data. Not a problem. In the Windows shortcut, all you need do is change the "start in" directory to c:\Application Data\MyApp and you can do this in the install procedure. The user can actually install the program where ever he/she wants, but the data will be stored in c:\Application Data\MyApp
>
> Ken
> You shall know the truth - and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:33)

Sorry for raking this up again, but I think its a continuation of the same discussion, rather than a new topic.
I still do not have access to a Vista computer, and have revisisted this thread to review the many very helpful postings.
RE: Kens suggestion, to install in C:\Application Data\MyApp.
I have a customer (Vista) installation set up like this, and asked the customer to email me a database table from a folder in this structure.
He couldnt find it. Search returned no results.
What are the instructions for finding the file? Is it inaccessible due to the UAC?

What are the restrictions imposed by Vista when read/write application data is located in such a folder structure?
Can users freely create folders under the root? Can they then copy files from one such folder to another?

George