Tech Oddity > Reference > Microsoft Windows > Known Folders

= Virtual Folders =

ShortcutDescriptionLowest Supported OS
shell:AddNewProgramsFolderGet Programs from Network ServerWindows Vista
shell:AppUpdatesFolderShows Installed Windows UpdatesWindows Vista
shell:CSCFolderOffline Files folderWindows XP
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolderPrograms and Features Control PanelWindows Vista
shell:ConflictFolderSync Center ConflictsWindows Vista
shell:ConnectionsFolderNetwork ConnectionsWindows Vista
shell:ControlPanelFolderControl PanelWindows Vista
shell:GamesGames ExplorerWindows Vista
shell:InternetFolderStarts Internet ExplorerWindows XP
shell:MyComputerFolderComputer FolderWindows Vista
shell:NetworkPlacesFolderList of network devicesWindows Vista
shell:PrintersFolderPrinters and FaxesWindows XP
shell:RecycleBinFolderRecycle BinWindows XP
shell:SearchHomeFolderWindows SearchWindows Vista
shell:SyncCenterFolderSync CenterWindows Vista
shell:SyncResultsFolderSync Center ResultsWindows Vista
shell:SyncSetupFolderSync Center SetupWindows Vista
shell:UsersFilesFolderUser Files FolderWindows Vista

= Per-Machine Folders =

Shortcut
Description
Lowest Supported OS
shell:Common Administrative ToolsControl PanelAdministrative Tools (Machine Items)Windows XP
shell:Common AppDataMachine Application DataWindows XP
shell:Common DesktopMachine DesktopWindows XP
shell:Common DocumentsMachine DocumentsWindows XP
shell:CommonDownloadsMachine DownloadsWindows Vista
shell:CommonMusicMachine MusicWindows XP
shell:CommonPicturesMachine PicturesWindows XP
shell:Common ProgramsMachine Start Menu ProgramsWindows XP
shell:Common Start MenuMachine Start MenuWindows XP
shell:Common StartupMachine StartupWindows XP
shell:Common TemplatesMachine TemplatesWindows XP
shell:CommonVideoMachine VideoWindows XP
shell:Default GadgetsWindows Sidebar Default GadgetsWindows Vista
shell:FontsMachine FontsWindows XP
shell:LocalizedResourcesDirLocalized Resources Folder in Windows Dir
Windows XP
shell:OEM LinksShortcuts for computer manufacturersWindows XP
shell:ProgramFilesProgram Files, On 64-bit OS stores 64-bit programs.Windows XP
shell:ProgramFilesX86Program Files, Exists on 64-bit OS to store 32-bit programs.Windows XP
shell:ProgramFilesCommonSame as above only shared Program FilesWindows XP
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86Same as above only shared Program Files.Windows X
shell:PublicPublic FolderWindows Vista
shell:PublicGameTasksPublic Game Tasks FolderWindows Vista
shell:ResourceDirWindows Resource FolderWindows XP
shell:SystemWindows System Folder, System32 for 32-bit installsWindows Vista
shell:SystemX86Windows System Folder for 32-bit system files on a 64-bit systemWindows Vista
shell:UserProfilesUser Profiles FolderWindows Vista
shell:WindowsWindows install FolderWindows XP

= Per-User Folders =

ShortcutDescriptionLowest Supported OS
shell:Administrative ToolsControl Panel\Administrative Tools (User Items)Windows XP
shell:AppDataRoaming Application DataWindows XP
shell:CD BurningTemp Location to store files before burning to discWindows XP
shell:CacheInternet Explorer Cache.Windows XP
shell:ContactsWindows Contacts folderWindows Vista
shell:CookiesInternet Explorer CookiesWindows XP
shell:CredentialManagerUser Credentials FolderWindows Vista
shell:CryptoKeysUser Crypto KeysWindows Vista
shell:DesktopUser DesktopWindows XP
shell:DownloadsUser DownloadsWindows Vista
shell:DpapiKeysUser Dpapi KeysWindows Vista
shell:FavoritesInternet Explorer FavoritesWindows XP
shell:GadgetsUser Windows Sidebar GadgetsWindows Vista
shell:GameTasksUser Games Explorer TasksWindows Vista
shell:HistoryInternet Explorer HistoryWindows XP
shell:LinksUser LinksWindows Vista
shell:Local AppDataUser Local Application DataWindows XP
shell:LocalAppDataLowUser Local Application Data Low IntegrityWindows Vista
shell:My MusicUser Music FolderWindows XP
shell:My PicturesUser Pictures FolderWindows XP
shell:My VideoUser Video FolderWindows XP
shell:NetHoodUser Network Places FolderWindows XP
shell:Original ImagesStorage of images before fixing with Windows Photo GalleryWindows Vista
shell:PersonalUser Documents FolderWindows XP
shell:PhotoAlbumsUser Pictures Photo Albums FolderWindows Vista
shell:PlaylistsUser Music Playlists FolderWindows Vista
shell:PrintHoodUser Printer ShortcutsWindows XP
shell:ProfileUser Profile FolderWindows XP
shell:ProgramsUser Start Menu ProgramsWindows XP
shell:Quick LaunchUser Quick Launch FolderWindows Vista
shell:RecentUser Recent DocumentsWindows XP
shell:SampleMusicSample Music FolderWindows Vista
shell:SamplePicturesSample Pictures FolderWindows Vista
shell:SamplePlaylistsSample Music Playlists FolderWindows Vista
shell:SampleVideosSample Videos FolderWindows Vista
shell:SavedGamesUser Saved Games FolderWindows Vista
shell:SearchesUser Saved SearchesWindows Vista
shell:SendToUser Send To FolderWindows XP
shell:Start MenuUser Start Menu FolderWindows XP
shell:StartupUser Startup FolderWindows XP
shell:SystemCertificatesUser CertificatesWindows Vista
shell:TemplatesUser Templates FolderWindows XP

= Unopenable Folders =

ShortcutDescriptionLowest Supported OS
shell:MAPIFolderUnknownUnknown
shell:TreePropertiesFolderUnknownUnknown