I have the C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin folder as a soft link to a separate internal drive. This apparently caused an issue when trying to access another wallet. NTFS has created a hidden folder called System Volume Information on the root of the drive where the data directory is. When I try to open another wallet inside of Bitcoin-QT, it freezes up. The error I get in the log is ListWalletDir: Access is denied C:\Users\Linrono\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin\System Volume Information. This shows up in the logs over and over until I force close Bitcoin-QT. It took up my entire 10MB log file at one point. I also tested this using bitcoind.exe and the same thing happens when running bitcoin-cli.exe getwalletdir. An easy fix for me would be to just create a folder in the volume and move my soft link to point there. I just wanted to bring this to your attention.

Expected behavior

I thought I would get a list of wallets I have created in the directory with the createwallet command.

Actual behavior

This caused a freeze that required the program to be force closed.

To reproduce

Just store the Bitcoin Data Directory in the root of a Windows Volume, and then try to find local wallets. This has happened to me every time I go to File and then mouse over Open Wallet or use the listwalletdir bitcoin-cli command.

System information

I am using Bitcoin Core v.20.1 from the BitcoinCore.org website.

Windows 10, Ryzen 5, Hard Drive

I believe this issue is related to the NTFS system folder on the root of volumes.

ListWalletDir: Access is denied C:\Users\Linrono\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin\System Volume Information