On Feb 18, 5:53 pm, "BobC" <rmc2kk@acworthcablenet dot.net> wrote:
> <tim.engl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1171848957.260821.75860@q2g2000cwa.googlegrou ps.com...
>
>
>
> > Help.
>
> > I cleaned up some shortcuts and folders in Start Menu/All Programs. I
> > saw something called Programs that I didn't see before (and it was
> > empty), so I deleted that, too. I then emptied the Recycle Bin.
>
> > To my shock, I realized that the Programs folder was a shortcut to c:/
> > ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start/Programs, so now I have lost all
> > the standard Windows shortcuts that I need -- like Accessories,
> > Windows SUA, and Administrative Tools (!).
>
> > I had done a full backup, but C:/ProgramData was not in the list of
> > things that gets backed up.
>
> > I do not have a Vista install CD, since I purchased the Vista Upgrade
> > online, and downloaded it.
>
> > How in god's name can I recover these important links?
>
> > Desperate...
> >'System Restore?
>
> Try that.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Gentlemen,

I tried doing a system restore. Unfortunately, it looks like the
shortcuts defined in c:/ProgramData/ are not part included (I got an
error trying to restore the previous checkpoint, in any case).

I am re-downloading the Vista Upgrade from Digital Locker/Windows
Marketplace again (should take a number of hours). I hope that when I
launch it again it will give me an option to Repair Existing
Installation and not just tell me that Vista has already been
installed and then quit.

I thought I was doing everything right with the backups and all. Oh
well, learning experience. I just hope that I can eventually figure
out how to get these back -- especially the Administive Tools links...