If I open a certain program normally, and save a file with it to a certain location, I can't see that file in windows explorer. If I use the program's "Open" feature and navigate to the place where I saved the file, it is there, but with a padlock symbol over it. If I run the program as administrator, I can't see/open the file at all.

I try to save that file to a DIFFERENT LOCATION, say, desktop, and it works fine. I can then copy the file into the folder (where it MAYBE already exists, maybe it doesn't??) that I want it in.

I'm so confused and beyond frustrated. Why must this be.

Where are you trying to save it to?

C/program files x86/ea games/mohaa/main/maps

Now I apparently have two version of the same file, with the same name, in the same location. Some programs are accessing one version of it and other programs are accessing another version of it creating a huge cluster**** and lost work.

**** this ****.

Windows 7 creates a "fake" program files directory and registry for old, poorly-programmed applications that expect to be run in the administrator account.

The file you're looking for is in C:\Users\Dash\AppData\Local\VirtualStore

I'm obviously trying to make maps for MOHAA.

MOHRadiant saves it's .map files in the mohaa program directory under main/maps.

The compiler then looks in this folder, compiles, and puts the compiled version in the same folder and automatically launches the game.

When I save a file in that directory, I NEED it to be in that directory, why the F else would I be trying to save it there. How can I prevent windows from doing this? Because basically right now I can't map.

The easiest solution is probably to install MoHAA somewhere else.

ie, outside of the "Program Files x86" folder? I can do that.

As long as it's not the other (64 bit) Program Files you should be fine.

So, the lessen here is, don't use the mystical fairy land where nothing is as it seems that is the "Program Files x86" folder unless I don't plan on doing anything the least bit technical with the a given program or any of its resources?

Bingo.

As a user who does a great deal of highly technical things with many different programs installed in Program Files, I am much happier knowing that my applications are not able to poop all over my hard drive.

Program Files is not a mystical fairy land. It's just read-only by default.

Incidentally, I'm surprised that version of radiant saved it at all; GTK Radiant just spits errors on win7.