Windows Tips and Tricks...

online backup - IDrive

Easy Access to System Folders

Type (or paste) the shell command in the Start Search or into the
Run dialog (Start Menu, Programs, Accessories)   and press Enter.

  • shell:AddNewProgramsFolder - Opens the Install a program from the network location.
  • shell:Administrative Tools - Opens the Administrative Tools section of the Control Panel.
  • shell:AppData - Opens the hidden location C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming
  • shell:AppUpdatesFolder - Opens the Installed Windows Updates location in Program and Files.
  • shell:Cache - Opens Internet Explorer’s temporary internet files folder.
  • shell:CD Burning - Opens the location where files are stored temporarily before Windows Vista burns them.
  • shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder - Opens Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
  • shell:Common Administrative Tools - Opens the Administrative Tools section of the Control Panel.
  • shell:Common AppData - Opens the hidden location C:\ProgramData
  • shell:Common Desktop - Opens the Public Users Desktop folder location. C:\Users\Public\Desktop
  • shell:Common Documents - Opens the Public Users Documents folder location. C:\Users\Public\Documents
  • shell:Common Programs - Opens the Start menu shortcuts location.
  • shell:Common Start Menu - Opens the location of the shortcut links in your Start Menu.
  • shell:Common Startup - Opens the location where shortcuts to programs that are set to start when Vista boots up are saved.
  • shell:Common Templates - Opens C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
  • shell:CommonDownloads - Opens the Public Users Downloads folder location. C:\Users\Public\Downloads
  • shell:CommonMusic - Opens the Public Users Music folder location. C:\Users\Public\Music
  • shell:CommonPictures - Opens the Public Users Pictures folder location. C:\Users\Public\Pictures
  • shell:CommonVideo - Opens the Public Users Video folder location. C:\Users\Public\Videos
  • shell:ConflictFolder - Opens the Sync Center Conflicts location.
  • shell:ConnectionsFolder - Quickly open Network Connections.
  • shell:Contacts - Opens your username's Contacts folder location.
  • shell:ControlPanelFolder - Opens the Control Panel.
  • shell:Cookies - Opens one of the folders where Internet Explorer saves cookies.
  • shell:Cookies\Low - Opens the other folder where Internet Explorer saves cookies.
  • shell:CredentialManager - Opens the hidden C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\
    Microsoft\Credentials
  • shell:CryptoKeys - Opens the hidden C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto
  • shell:CSCFolder
  • shell:default Gadgets - Opens the default Windows Sidebar Gadgets location.
  • shell:desktop - Opens your personal username's Desktop folder location.
  • shell:downloads - Opens your personal username's Downloads folder location.
  • shell:dpapiKeys - Opens the hidden C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Protect
  • shell:Favorites - Opens your personal username's Favorites folder location.
  • shell:Fonts - Opens Vista's Fonts folder location.
  • shell:Gadgets - Opens your user account's Windows Sidebar Gadgets that you saved location.
  • shell:Games - Opens the Games folder from the left Start menu button location.
  • shell:GameTasks - Opens the hidden C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\
    GameExplorer
  • shell:History - Opens Internet Explorer’s history of websites visited.
  • shell:InternetFolder Opens the 32 bit Internet Explorer.
  • shell:Links - Opens your personal username's Links folder location.
  • shell:Local AppData Opens the hidden C:\Users\username\AppData\Local
  • shell:LocalAppDataLow - Opend the hidden C:\Users\username\AppData\LocalLow
  • shell:LocalizedResourcesDir
  • shell:MAPIFolder
  • shell:My Music - Opens your personal username's Music folder location.
  • shell:My Pictures - Opens your personal username's Pictures folder location.
  • shell:My Video - Opens your personal username's Video folder location.
  • shell:MyComputerFolder - Opens Computer window.
  • shell:NetHood - Opens Network Shortcuts folder location.
  • shell:NetworkPlacesFolder Opens the Network Places location.
  • shell:OEM Links - Opens the links placed on your computer by your computer manufacturer location.
  • shell:Original Images - Opens Windows Photo Gallery Original Images folder location.
  • shell:Personal - Opens your personal username's Documents folder location.
  • shell:PhotoAlbums - Opens the Slide Show folder location for your username's Pictures folder.
  • shell:Playlists - Opens the Playlists folder location for your username's Music folder.
  • shell:PrintersFolder - Opens Printers in the Control Panel.
  • shell:PrintHood - Opens the Printer Shortcuts location.
  • shell:Profile - Opens your main username folder location.
  • shell:ProgramFiles - Opens the Program Files folder.
  • shell:ProgramFilesCommon - Opens the Common Files folder in Program Files.
  • shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86 - Opens the Common Files folder in Program Files (x86).
  • shell:ProgramFilesX86 - Opens the Program Files (x86) folder.
  • shell:Programs - Opens the Start menu's Programs shortcuts location.
  • shell:Public - Opens the Public User folder.
  • shell:PublicGameTasks - Opens C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer
  • shell:Quick Launch - Opens the Quick Launch shortcuts folder location.
  • shell:Recent - Opens Recent Items location.
  • shell:RecycleBinFolder - Opens the Recycle Bin folder.
  • shell:ResourceDir - Opens Vista's Resources folder location.
  • shell:SampleMusic - Opens the Sample Music folder in the Public Users folder.
  • shell:SamplePictures - Opens the Sample Pictures folder in the Public Users folder.
  • shell:SamplePlaylists - Opens the Sample Playlist folder in the Public Users folder.
  • shell:SampleVideos - Opens the Sample Videos folder in the Public Users folder.
  • shell:SavedGames - Opens your personal username's Saved Games folder location.
  • shell:Searches - Opens your personal username's Searches folder location.
  • shell:SendTo - Opens the Context menu's SendTo folder location.
  • shell:Start Menu - Opens the location of the shortcut links in your Start Menu.
  • shell:Startup - Opens the location where shortcuts to programs that are set to start when Vista boots up are saved.
  • shell:SyncCenterFolder - Opens Sync Center from the Control Panel.
  • shell:SyncResultsFolder - Opens the Sync Results for the Sync Center.
  • shell:SyncSetupFolder - Open the Setup new sync partnerships in the Sync Center.
  • shell:System - Opens the System32 folder location.
  • shell:SystemCertificates Opens the SystemCertificates folder location.
  • shell:SystemX86 - Opens the SysWowxx folder location.
  • shell:Templates - Opens the Templates folder location.
  • shell:TreePropertiesFolder
  • shell:UserProfiles - Opens the "C:\Users" location.
  • shell:UsersFilesFolder - Opens your main username folder location.
  • shell:Windows - Opens the "C:\Windows" location.