[FAQ]I'm using Vista/Windows 7 and I can't find my data (ini/steps)!

[Kakurady]

Vista does not allow programs running with normal privileges to write into Program Files anymore. (Even if you are using an administrator account, your programs are still running with the rights of a restricted user.)

To maintain compatibility however, they are transparently stored into another place in your personal folder (the folder that bears your username, which can be accessed from the start menu).

It is conveniently located at <your personal folder>\Appdata\Local\VirtualStore\<whatever the path is>.

So for example, if your StepMania 3.9 is installed at Program Files\StepMania, you'll be able to find some files at \Appdata\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\StepMania.



To avoid this problem you can install StepMania in a folder where all users can write to, for example, \ProgramData\StepMania or in your personal folder.

(This guide certainly still has room for improvement.)

[shakesoda]

this was very necessary.

somebody sticky this ASAP.

[Zenatsu]

LOOK!!! HIS NAME IS TENCENT!!! LOLOLOL111!!!

[henke37]

So, how long will it take untill the developers have made stepmania Vista proof?
To the degree that no compatibility folders is created and that it uses the new sound system.

[freem]

LOOK!!! HIS NAME IS TENCENT!!! LOLOLOL111!!!

no, Tencent is the name of the company that makes QQ.

[Kakurady]

LOOK!!! HIS NAME IS TENCENT!!! LOLOLOL111!!!

no, Tencent is the name of the company that makes QQ.

Yeah, I wasn't willing to uninstall my current SM 3.9 for the purpose of demonstration >_<

Edit: When a folder only contains folders but no files, Compatibility Files button will not show up.
Defective by Design. (Not that I want to blame MS for their lameness, this functionality is added in the last minute.)

Alternatively you can find the files by going to the file's usual location and click on the "Compatibility Files" button.

[henke37]

What?
Did you expect the show files button to show folders?

[Kakurady]

Yes.

(See the screenshot. There's no button, and therefore you can't find My Creations folder by going into the SM directory. However if you create any file under songs it will show up.)

[henke37]

I found out how to get vista to stop doing this.
You just define that the application needs no administrative privileges in the embedded manifest when building the executable.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0"> 
  <assemblyIdentity version="4.0.0.0"
     processorArchitecture="X86"
     name="Stepmania"
     type="win32"/> 
  <description>Description of your application</description> 
  
  <trustInfo xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v2">
    <security>
      <requestedPrivileges>
        <requestedExecutionLevel
          level="asInvoker"
          uiAccess="false"/>
        </requestedPrivileges>
       </security>
  </trustInfo>
</assembly>

With this quick fix, we get no more stupid redirection, yay!

On the other hand, we get some slight permission issues, but that's for the developers to fix, I mean, it's not hard to properly chose the directories, is it?

[Kakurady]

... that's not gonna work, where are you going to install the songs as a restricted user?