PROBLEM
Data stored in the 'My Documents' folder in Windows 7 and Windows Vista cannot be viewed or accessed from the ArcMap 'Add Data' dialog box or from ArcCatalog.
For example, when browsing to 'My Documents' in Windows Explorer, data is visible:
However, when browsing to the same location in ArcCatalog, the same folder appears empty:
The My Documents folder on Windows 7 and Vista does not actually contain the data, but rather, a redirect to C:\Users\<user>\Documents, where the data is actually stored.
Article ID:000010873
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