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c++windowsspecial-foldersappdata

What are the default APPDATA directories each version of Windows?

Is there a list of default APPDATA directories each version of Windows? (XP & up)

I need to know the default directory each OS will return for the following call:

SHGetSpecialFolderLocation( NULL, CSIDL_APPDATA|CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE , &pidl );
Solution

  • There isn't really a simple answer to make into a list even for just english installs.

    Here are some examples I just pulled from a few machines.

    Windows 8 - C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming
Windows 7 - C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming
2K8    -    C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming
Vista   -   C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming
XP     -    C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Application Data
2K3    -    C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Application Data

    you will get different answers for when you Roam or not, when you use a remote desktop etc.