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File Created in C:\ Root Directory Disappears

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Q - In ACH Processing Setup, I choose to write my NACHA file directly to the local C:\ root folder.  The NACHA File Creation Journal shows that the NACHA file was created successfully at C:\20150129-155424.TXT.  See example below:



However, when I use Windows Explorer to browse to my C:\ folder, I can't see this file.  What happened?

A - In Windows 7 and beyond, there's a feature called "File Virtualization." In essence, the OS does not want you to write to the C:\ root, Program Files or Windows folders, but it will let you think it writes there. It actually redirects the action to a Virtual Store under the AppData store in your User folder.  This is for compatibility purposes.

If you browse to your C:\ folder and click on the "compatibility files" button, you will be redirected to the Virtual Store under the AppData store in your User folder.  See examples below:





It is not a good practice to write to the C:\ root directory. Even though Windows lets you do it, you should change your configuration and write your NACHA file to a different folder that does not have Windows security complications.


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