Windows 8: Shell commands (getting to “Special Folders”)

  • Article

Via HKLM>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Explorer>FolderDescriptions

In a previous post I showed how to use the Shell:<location> style syntax to get to a Windows “Special Folder”. I wanted to share the full list and highlight the new ones for Windows 8. These can be used in the run dialog or the Start screen’s search dialog to quickly get to these spots in Windows.

 

New to Windows 8

AccountPictures
Roaming Tiles
PublicAccountPictures
AppsFolder
PublicLibraries
HomeGroupFolder
ProgramFilesCommonX64
ProgramFilesX64
HomeGroupCurrentUserFolder
Application Shortcuts
Roamed Tile Images
Screenshots

Legacy Folders

Common Programs
GameTasks
UserProfiles
MyComputerFolder
SyncSetupFolder
DpapiKeys
Favorites
My Video
SearchHomeFolder
RecordedTVLibrary
System
Libraries
MusicLibrary
CommonVideo
SyncResultsFolder
LocalizedResourcesDir
Cookies
Original Images
CommonMusic
My Pictures
Cache
Downloads
CommonDownloads
AppData
SyncCenterFolder
VideosLibrary
My Music
ConflictFolder
SavedGames
InternetFolder
Quick Launch
SystemCertificates
Contacts
UserProgramFiles
Device Metadata Store
Profile
Start Menu
Common AppData
PhotoAlbums
ConnectionsFolder
Administrative Tools
PrintersFolder
DocumentsLibrary
ProgramFilesX86
Searches
Common Startup
ControlPanelFolder
SendTo
ResourceDir
ProgramFiles
CredentialManager
PrintHood
MAPIFolder
User Pinned
CD Burning
UsersLibrariesFolder
AppUpdatesFolder
Common Start Menu
LocalAppDataLow
Templates
Programs
PicturesLibrary
Recent
Desktop
CommonPictures
RecycleBinFolder
CryptoKeys
Common Templates
Startup
ImplicitAppShortcuts
UserProgramFilesCommon
Links
OEM Links
Common Desktop
NetHood
Ringtones
Games
Common Administrative Tools
NetworkPlacesFolder
SystemX86
History
AddNewProgramsFolder
Playlists
ProgramFilesCommonX86
PublicGameTasks
ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
Public
CommonRingtones
Common Documents
CSCFolder
Local AppData
Windows
UsersFilesFolder
ProgramFilesCommon
Fonts
Personal