Windows Shell: Folders ====================== I went searching, as I have done many times, to find the name of the common startup folder to add my own shortcuts to run programs at logon. This time, I decided to compile this list below and store it somewhere I'll remember for next time. This is a copy of the 'meat' (read 'less the adverts') from a TechRadar site that had a reasonably comprehensive list of Windows Shell folder shortcuts. Each of these shell folders can be used in the Windows 'Run' window to open the contents or, if prefered, used as a destination to a custom shortcut.lnk to make it a clickable item. To use just simply copy the corresponding ``Shell Folder`` from the section you are after from the tables below. A lot of these will also work on Windows Server OSs as well as the desktop OSs. At some point I'll update the 'applicable to' list to include newer OSs. I've not had an issue with Windows 10 and Server 2016 with the key ones but YMMV. Hopefully this will help others, if theres is any omissions or additions, drop me a note and I'll update the list. **Internet Explorer** +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |Shell Folder |Description |Applicable to | +=========================================+===========================================+=======================+ |``shell:Cache`` | Open the Temporary Internet Files folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Cookies`` |Open the Internet Explorer Cookies folder |XP, Vista, 7, | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Favorites`` |Open the Internet Explorer Favorites folder|XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:InternetFolder`` |Launches Internet Explorer |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ **Applets and applications** +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |Shell Folder |Description |Applicable to | +=========================================+===========================================+=======================+ |``shell:AddNewProgramsFolder`` |Open the Control Panel and |Vista, 7, 8 | | |"Install a program from the network" applet| | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Administrative Tools`` |Displays shortcuts to the applets in your |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | | |Control Panel\Administrative Tools folder | | | |(if any) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder`` |Open the Control Panel "Uninstall or |Vista, 7, 8 | | |change a program" applet | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common Administrative Tools`` |Displays shortcuts to the Public applets |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | | |in your Control Panel\Administrative Tools | | | |folder | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ConnectionsFolder`` |Open the list of Network Connections |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ControlPanelFolder`` |Displays Control Panel |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Default Gadgets`` |Open the default Sidebar Gadgets folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Gadgets`` |Open the user folder of downloaded Sidebar |Vista, 7, 8 | | |Gadgets | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Immersive Application Shortcuts``|Displays shortcuts to the apps on your |8 | | |Metro screen (not regular shortcuts, but | | | |still interesting to explore) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ProgramFiles`` |Open the Program Files folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ProgramFilesX86`` |Displays 32-bit programs stored on 64-bit |Vista, 7, 8 | | |Windows, or the \Program Files folder on | | | |32-bit Windows | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ProgramFilesCommon`` |Open the Program Files\Common Files folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86`` |Open the Common Files for 32-bit programs |Vista, 7, 8 | | |stored on 64-bit Windows, or the | | | |Program Files\Common Files folder on | | | |32-bit Windows | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SearchHomeFolder`` |Open the Windows Search tool |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ **Multimedia** +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |Shell Folder |Description |Applicable to | +=========================================+===========================================+=======================+ |``shell:My Music`` |Open the user Music folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CommonMusic`` |Open the Public Music folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SampleMusic`` |Open the Sample Music folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:My Pictures`` |Open the user Pictures folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CommonPictures`` |Open the Public Pictures folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SamplePictures`` |Open the Sample Pictures folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SamplePlaylists`` |Open the Sample Playlists folder |Vista | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Original Images`` |Open the folder containing the original |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | | |versions of images tweaked by Windows Photo| | | |Gallery, if installed | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:PhotoAlbums`` |Open the user Pictures\Slide Shows folder |Vista, 7, 8 | | |(if present) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Podcasts`` |Open the user Podcasts folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | | |(if Zune is installed) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:My Video`` |Open the user Videos folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CommonVideo`` |Open the Public Video folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SampleVideos`` |Open the Sample Videos folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ **Windows Sync Centre** +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |Shell Folder |Description |Applicable to | +=========================================+===========================================+=======================+ |``shell:ConflictFolder`` |Displays Sync Centre Conflicts |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SyncCenterFolder`` |Displays Sync Centre |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SyncResultsFolder`` |Displays Sync Centre Results |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SyncSetupFolder`` |Open the Sync Centre Setup options |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ **System folders** +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |Shell Folder |Description |Applicable to | +=========================================+===========================================+=======================+ |``shell:AppUpdatesFolder`` |Displays installed Windows Updates |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common AppData`` |Open the Public Application Data folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common Desktop`` |Open the Public Desktop |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common Documents`` |Open the Public Documents folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CommonDownloads`` |Open the Public Downloads folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common Programs`` |Open the Public Start Menu Programs folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CommonRingtones`` |Open the Public ringtones folder. This |7, 8 | | |should contain some sample files. | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common Start Menu`` |Open the Public Start Menu folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common Startup`` |Open the Public Startup folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Common Templates`` |Open the Public Templates folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Fonts`` |Open the Fonts folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Games`` |Open the Games folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:HomeGroupFolder`` |Open the HomeGroup folder |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:HomeGroupCurrentUserFolder`` |Open the HomeGroup folder for the currently|8 | | |logged-on user (will disappear immediately | | | |if you don't have a homegroup) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:MyComputerFolder`` |Open the Computer folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:OEM Links`` |Displays links provided by your PC |XP, Vista, 7 | | |manufacturer (if any) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:NetworkPlacesFolder`` |Open the Network Places folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:PrintersFolder`` |Open the Printers folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Public`` |Open the Users\Public folder for quick |Vista, 7, 8 | | |access to public Music, Downloads, Pictures| | | |and more | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:PublicGameTasks`` |Open the Public Game Explorer folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ResourceDir`` |Open the Windows Resources folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | | |(themes are stored here) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:RecycleBinFolder`` |Open the Recycle Bin |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:System`` |Open the Windows System folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Systemx86`` |Open the Windows System folder for 32-bit |Vista, 8 | | |files on 64-bit Windows, or | | | |\Windows\System32 on 32-bit Windows | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:UserProfiles`` |Open the folder holding all user profiles |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Windows`` |Open the Windows installation folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | | |(usually \Windows) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ **Libraries** +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |Shell Folder |Description |Applicable to | +=========================================+===========================================+=======================+ |``shell:DocumentsLibrary`` |Open the Documents library |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Libraries`` |Open the Libraries folder |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:MusicLibrary`` |Displays your Music library |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:PicturesLibrary`` |Displays your Pictures library |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Podcast Library`` |Displays your Podcasts library |7, 8 | | |(if Zune is installed) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:PublicLibraries`` |Displays public libraries, if any |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:VideosLibrary`` |Displays your Videos library |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ **User folders** +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |Shell Folder |Description |Applicable to | +=========================================+===========================================+=======================+ |``shell:AppData`` |Open the user Application Data folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CD Burning`` |Open the folder where files are stored |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | | |before being burned to disc | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Contacts`` |Open the user Windows Contacts folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CredentialManager`` |Open the user Credentials folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Cryptokeys`` |Open the user encryption keys folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:CSCFolder`` |Open the Client Side Cache Offline Files |XP, Vista, 7 | | |folder, if supported | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Desktop`` |Open the user desktop folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Downloads`` |Open the user downloads folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:DpAPIKeys`` |Opens the users |Vista, 7, 8 | | |AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Protect folder | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:GameTasks`` |Open the user Game Explorer folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:History`` |Open the user History folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts`` |Open the hidden ImplicitAppShortcuts folder|7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Links`` |Open the user Links folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Local AppData`` |Open the user Application Data folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:NetHood`` |Open the user Network Places folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Personal`` |Open the user Documents folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Playlists`` |Open the user \Music\Playlists folder |Vista, 7 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:PrintHood`` |Open the user printer shortcuts folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Profile`` |Open the user profile folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Programs`` |Open the user Start Menu Programs folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Quick Launch`` |Open the Quick Launch folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Recent`` |Open the user's Recent Documents folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Ringtones`` |Display the user's Ringtones folder |7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SavedGames`` |Open the Saved Games folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Searches`` |Open the saved searches folder |Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SendTo`` |Open the user Send To folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Start Menu`` |Open the user Start Menu folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Startup`` |Open the user Startup folder |XP, Vista, 7, 8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:SystemCertificates`` |Open the user certificates folder |Vista, 7 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Templates`` |Open the user Templates folder |XP, Vista, 7 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:User Pinned`` |Access shortcuts pinned to the Start menu |7 | | |or Taskbar | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:UserTiles`` |Displays your user tiles |8 | | |(the images you can use for your account) | | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:PublicUserTiles`` |Open the Public user tiles folder |8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ |``shell:Roaming Tiles`` |Displays further user tiles |8 | +-----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------------+ Enjoy!