can't see folder

Question

can't see folder

Alina Ohrimenko 0

I got the error that I can't access the "C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\iNetCache" folder because I don't have permissions, I tried to search for it to check and I don 't see it at all, I know it exists because if I try to create it it says that it already exists.

I have hidden folders on so thats not it

And I am an administrator with full permissions on the Windows folder and all sub folder so I should have the access.

I don't understand what is happening

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Answer 1

Mark Dicks 565

Hi Alina Ohrimenko, hope you are well.

It's under a special system profile: C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile
This is not your user profile, even if you're an administrator.

Why You Can’t See or Create It

When you try to access it:
- Windows prevents you due to Access Control Lists (ACLs).
When you try to create the folder:
- Windows says it exists because it does exist, but you just can’t see it due to permission or redirection rules.

I don't know if I can share ways to take ownership of the path, but to list the contents you can run the following:

dir "C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\iNetCache"

This folder is used by services running under the SYSTEM account, like Windows Update or IIS. That's why it behaves differently from your personal user folders. It’s sandboxed from even admins by default.

HoughtonJason-4020 50 Reputation points

2025-06-13T13:08:45+00:00

Why would you EVER want to get into that folder anyway? Microsoft does this so users and malicious code doesnt encrypt your device. Leave it well enough alone.. ugh....!
Mark Dicks 565 Reputation points

2025-06-13T13:17:19.9033333+00:00

I'm very passionate about how systems work in back, and tend to fiddle with almost every piece of software so I can understand ones curiosity.
Nonetheless great developers are ones who look at things not everyone would be willing to look at, or even think of looking at.

While the intention may not be disclosed in the question, an answer can assist in possibly developing great software or even raise concerns about the current system files.

I don't think reading the contents is a bad thing in my opinion. Please do let me know if it is though.
Alina Ohrimenko 0 Reputation points

2025-06-14T15:51:43.9066667+00:00

The reason I wanted to look at it is simple, a game that was working perfectly until yesterday all of a sudden failed to launch due to getting access denied when trying to access a file on that path.
Lackily this was solved by reinstalling the game, but it was weird since I didn't change anything on the machine

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can't see folder

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