Looking for function to resolve VirtualStore paths to physical paths

I'm working on ensuring compatibility with some legacy applications. I
need an API function that maps a (possibly virtual) path into a
physical path.

For example,

c:\program files\foo\download ---> c:\users\myusername\appdata\local
\virtualstore\program files\foo\download

Does Vista provide an API for retreiving these mappings? Is there a
way to determine whether a given path is virtual of physical?

Thanks,
Scott

Hi Scott

These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very good
resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed by
Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
applications for Vista. You can access them here:

MSDN Forums: Software Development for Vista
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/def...ID=24&SiteID=1


--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1180112336.728081.180200@x18g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
> I'm working on ensuring compatibility with some legacy applications. I
> need an API function that maps a (possibly virtual) path into a
> physical path.
>
> For example,
>
> c:\program files\foo\download ---> c:\users\myusername\appdata\local
> \virtualstore\program files\foo\download
>
> Does Vista provide an API for retreiving these mappings? Is there a
> way to determine whether a given path is virtual of physical?
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
>

> These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very good
> resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed by
> Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
> applications for Vista. You can access them here:

I gave it a shot there too, but nobody ever replied. So I guess:

1) Microsoft never implemented a function to resolve these
virtualizations

or

2) Microsoft did, but nobody knows what it is

Is there any sort of "Windows Vista Internals" book? I seem to
remember such things existed for XP and covered hidden facets of the
operating system such as the process tables, etc.

Scott

Scott

Sorry you didn't get a reply there, they are usually good about responding
quickly.

Here are a few more links that should help.

The Windows Vista Developer Story: Windows Vista Application Development
Requirements for User Account Control (UAC):
http://tinyurl.com/2tlscg

Download details: Windows Vista Application Development Requirements for
User Account Control Compatibility:
http://tinyurl.com/2pf8n3

Secure It:
http://tinyurl.com/2o77lf

Developing Applications that Run at Logon on Windows Vista:
http://tinyurl.com/37bo6p

User Account Control Overview:
http://tinyurl.com/37jxuh

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1180635057.053728.208920@o11g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>> These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very
>> good
>> resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed by
>> Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
>> applications for Vista. You can access them here:
>
> I gave it a shot there too, but nobody ever replied. So I guess:
>
> 1) Microsoft never implemented a function to resolve these
> virtualizations
>
> or
>
> 2) Microsoft did, but nobody knows what it is
>
> Is there any sort of "Windows Vista Internals" book? I seem to
> remember such things existed for XP and covered hidden facets of the
> operating system such as the process tables, etc.
>
> Scott
>

The general idea is:
Virtualization of files are implemented with a Mini-File-System-Filter
driver.
Virtualization of registry is implemeted with internal KEY properties.
The mandatory integrity labels set on the token triggers the whole process.

Why is reversing virtualization interesting ?

--
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of any included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm


"Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1180635057.053728.208920@o11g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>> These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very
>> good
>> resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed by
>> Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
>> applications for Vista. You can access them here:
>
> I gave it a shot there too, but nobody ever replied. So I guess:
>
> 1) Microsoft never implemented a function to resolve these
> virtualizations
>
> or
>
> 2) Microsoft did, but nobody knows what it is
>
> Is there any sort of "Windows Vista Internals" book? I seem to
> remember such things existed for XP and covered hidden facets of the
> operating system such as the process tables, etc.
>
> Scott
>

On top of that
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927387

--
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of any included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm


"Ivan Brugiolo [MSFT]" <ivanbrug@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OlJaBfUpHHA.4188@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> The general idea is:
> Virtualization of files are implemented with a Mini-File-System-Filter
> driver.
> Virtualization of registry is implemeted with internal KEY properties.
> The mandatory integrity labels set on the token triggers the whole
> process.
>
> Why is reversing virtualization interesting ?
>
> --
> --
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
> Use of any included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
> http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
>
>
> "Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1180635057.053728.208920@o11g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>>> These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very
>>> good
>>> resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed by
>>> Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
>>> applications for Vista. You can access them here:
>>
>> I gave it a shot there too, but nobody ever replied. So I guess:
>>
>> 1) Microsoft never implemented a function to resolve these
>> virtualizations
>>
>> or
>>
>> 2) Microsoft did, but nobody knows what it is
>>
>> Is there any sort of "Windows Vista Internals" book? I seem to
>> remember such things existed for XP and covered hidden facets of the
>> operating system such as the process tables, etc.
>>
>> Scott
>>
>
>

I too am having keyboard/mouse lock ups for no apparent reason and I am sure
Vista has some blame. But I am not ready to rule out Motherboard problems or
for that matter Bios problems just yet. I can remember when XP first came
out and I had to update bios twice before hardware conflicts were resolved.
I know that at least one of my problems is related to bios because my
keyboard (USB) will not function if a PS/2 mouse is plugged into the
machine. Nor will a USB mouse work if a PS/2 keyboard is plugged in, all
before Vista even starts. No problem doing this in XP.

GWL

"Ivan Brugiolo [MSFT]" <ivanbrug@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OlJaBfUpHHA.4188@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> The general idea is:
> Virtualization of files are implemented with a Mini-File-System-Filter
> driver.
> Virtualization of registry is implemeted with internal KEY properties.
> The mandatory integrity labels set on the token triggers the whole
> process.
>
> Why is reversing virtualization interesting ?
>
> --
> --
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
> Use of any included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
> http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
>
>
> "Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1180635057.053728.208920@o11g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>>> These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very
>>> good
>>> resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed by
>>> Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
>>> applications for Vista. You can access them here:
>>
>> I gave it a shot there too, but nobody ever replied. So I guess:
>>
>> 1) Microsoft never implemented a function to resolve these
>> virtualizations
>>
>> or
>>
>> 2) Microsoft did, but nobody knows what it is
>>
>> Is there any sort of "Windows Vista Internals" book? I seem to
>> remember such things existed for XP and covered hidden facets of the
>> operating system such as the process tables, etc.
>>
>> Scott
>>
>
>

I don't suppose that forum is published as a newsgroup? Compared to
accessing the posts here, I find reading them in a web browser to be a huge
pia.


"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv@invalid.org> wrote in message
news:033F495C-97DB-4122-90E8-26E068086AC7@microsoft.com...
> Hi Scott
>
> These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very
> good resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed
> by Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
> applications for Vista. You can access them here:
>
> MSDN Forums: Software Development for Vista
> http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/def...ID=24&SiteID=1
>
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1180112336.728081.180200@x18g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>> I'm working on ensuring compatibility with some legacy applications. I
>> need an API function that maps a (possibly virtual) path into a
>> physical path.
>>
>> For example,
>>
>> c:\program files\foo\download ---> c:\users\myusername\appdata\local
>> \virtualstore\program files\foo\download
>>
>> Does Vista provide an API for retreiving these mappings? Is there a
>> way to determine whether a given path is virtual of physical?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Scott
>>
>

Paul

Unfortunately, I don't think those particular groups have an NNTP mirror? If
you have an MSDN subscription, there are the MSDN managed newsgroups.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Paul Pedersen" <nospam@no.spam> wrote in message
news:OVtuo2OwHHA.4572@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>I don't suppose that forum is published as a newsgroup? Compared to
>accessing the posts here, I find reading them in a web browser to be a huge
>pia.
>
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv@invalid.org> wrote in message
> news:033F495C-97DB-4122-90E8-26E068086AC7@microsoft.com...
>> Hi Scott
>>
>> These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very
>> good resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are staffed
>> by Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with developing
>> applications for Vista. You can access them here:
>>
>> MSDN Forums: Software Development for Vista
>> http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/def...ID=24&SiteID=1
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1180112336.728081.180200@x18g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>>> I'm working on ensuring compatibility with some legacy applications. I
>>> need an API function that maps a (possibly virtual) path into a
>>> physical path.
>>>
>>> For example,
>>>
>>> c:\program files\foo\download ---> c:\users\myusername\appdata\local
>>> \virtualstore\program files\foo\download
>>>
>>> Does Vista provide an API for retreiving these mappings? Is there a
>>> way to determine whether a given path is virtual of physical?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Scott
>>>
>>
>
>

Tell that to Microsoft! We keep telling them that, but it would help
for them to hear it from end users as well.

--

- Gary Chanson (Windows SDK MVP)
- Abolish Public Schools



"Paul Pedersen" <nospam@no.spam> wrote in message
news:OVtuo2OwHHA.4572@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> I don't suppose that forum is published as a newsgroup? Compared to
> accessing the posts here, I find reading them in a web browser to be a
huge
> pia.
>
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv@invalid.org> wrote in message
> news:033F495C-97DB-4122-90E8-26E068086AC7@microsoft.com...
> > Hi Scott
> >
> > These Vista.public groups are focused on the end user. There is a very
> > good resource for developers on the MSDN forums. These forums are
staffed
> > by Microsoft Developers and they are focused on problems with
developing
> > applications for Vista. You can access them here:
> >
> > MSDN Forums: Software Development for Vista
> > http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/def...ID=24&SiteID=1
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Ronnie Vernon
> > Microsoft MVP
> > Windows Shell/User
> >
> >
> > "Scott" <smbaker@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:1180112336.728081.180200@x18g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
> >> I'm working on ensuring compatibility with some legacy applications.
I
> >> need an API function that maps a (possibly virtual) path into a
> >> physical path.
> >>
> >> For example,
> >>
> >> c:\program files\foo\download ---> c:\users\myusername\appdata\local
> >> \virtualstore\program files\foo\download
> >>
> >> Does Vista provide an API for retreiving these mappings? Is there a
> >> way to determine whether a given path is virtual of physical?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Scott
> >>
> >
>
>