What are all the existing quick paths, shell paths, and system shortcuts for Windows? [duplicate]
I would like to know the full list of variables that I can use in Windows Explorer or related relative paths that is accepted by Windows 10. Variables like %appdata%, %userprofile%, %windir%...etc.
In my search, most of them point to KNOWNFOLDERID or the older CSIDL, but I don't know how to exactly apply them in Windows paths or File Explorer, and most of them doesn't work in the File Explorer in my tests. If the above are correct lists, please give me examples on how to apply them in Windows paths or File Explorer. Thank you!
Solution 1:
If you want to see the list of paths available such as %AppData% and similar then simply open a command prompt and type set. You will see something like
ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\ProgramData
APPDATA=C:\Users\<your user profile>\AppData\Roaming
CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files
CommonProgramFiles(x86)=C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
CommonProgramW6432=C:\Program Files\Common Files
DriverData=C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\DriverData
HOMEDRIVE=C:
HOMEPATH=\Users\<your user profile>
LOCALAPPDATA=C:\Users\<your user profile>\AppData\Local
OneDrive=C:\Users\<your user profile>\OneDrive
OneDriveConsumer=C:\Users\<your user profile>\OneDrive
ProgramData=C:\ProgramData
ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files
ProgramFiles(x86)=C:\Program Files (x86)
ProgramW6432=C:\Program Files
PUBLIC=C:\Users\Public
SystemDrive=C:
SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS
TEMP=C:\Users\<your user profile>\AppData\Local\Temp
TMP=C:\Users\<your user profile>\AppData\Local\Temp
USERPROFILE=C:\Users\<your user profile>
windir=C:\WINDOWS
Anything that begins and ends with a % is an environment variable with a Name=Value pair.
If the likes of %appdata% (or a relative sub-path of it) is not working for you then you may need to put a \ between %appdata% and the rest of the path like so
%appdata%\Microsoft
Most %% environment variables do not have the trailing \ so you have to add it yourself.
Solution 2:
I would like to know the full list of variables that I can use in Windows Explorer or related relative paths that is accepted by Windows 10. Variables like %appdata%, %userprofile%, %windir%...etc.
You can list the system's environmental variables by running the following PowerShell command:
Get-ChildItem Env: | Sort Name
Any variable that contains a path, can be viewed with File Explorer, by using the %NAME% (i.e. %ALLUSERSPROFILE%) syntax.
Solution 3:
From the program at https://winsourcecode.blogspot.com/2019/05/listenvironmentexe-list-system-user.html
--------
System
--------
ComSpec=%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe
DriverData=C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\DriverData
NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=4
OS=Windows_NT
Path=C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\;%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\OpenSSH\;C:\Program Files\dotnet\
PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC;.cpl
PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=AMD64
PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=Intel64 Family 6 Model 126 Stepping 5, GenuineIntel
PROCESSOR_LEVEL=6
PROCESSOR_REVISION=7e05
PSModulePath=%ProgramFiles%\WindowsPowerShell\Modules;%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules
TEMP=%SystemRoot%\TEMP
TMP=%SystemRoot%\TEMP
USERNAME=SYSTEM
windir=%SystemRoot%
--------
Volatile - These are set at logon
--------
LOGONSERVER=\\LAPTOP
USERDOMAIN=LAPTOP
USERNAME=David Candy
USERPROFILE=C:\Users\David Candy
HOMEPATH=\Users\David Candy
HOMEDRIVE=C:
APPDATA=C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Roaming
LOCALAPPDATA=C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Local
USERDOMAIN_ROAMINGPROFILE=LAPTOP
--------
User - These override system variables, and in the case of PATH are added to the system PATH
--------
OneDrive=C:\Users\David Candy\OneDrive
Path=C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps;;C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Local\Programs\Fiddler
TEMP=%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp
TMP=%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp
--------
Process - This is the combined environment from the above for the program
Variables starting with an equals sign, such as =C:=C:\Windows are internal CMD variables
CMD simulates a default directory per drive like MSDos. This is how it keeps track
--------
=C:=C:\Windows\System32
ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\ProgramData
APPDATA=C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Roaming
CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files
CommonProgramFiles(x86)=C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
CommonProgramW6432=C:\Program Files\Common Files
COMPUTERNAME=LAPTOP
ComSpec=C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe
DriverData=C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\DriverData
HOMEDRIVE=C:
HOMEPATH=\Users\David Candy
LOCALAPPDATA=C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Local
LOGONSERVER=\\LAPTOP
NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=4
OneDrive=C:\Users\David Candy\OneDrive
OS=Windows_NT
Path=C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\;C:\Windows\system32;C:\Windows;C:\Windows\System32\Wbem;C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Windows\System32\OpenSSH\;C:\Program Files\dotnet\;C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps;C:\Users\David Candy\AppData\Local\Programs\Fiddler
PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC;.cpl
PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=AMD64
PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=Intel64 Family 6 Model 126 Stepping 5, GenuineIntel
PROCESSOR_LEVEL=6
PROCESSOR_REVISION=7e05
ProgramData=C:\ProgramData
ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files
ProgramFiles(x86)=C:\Program Files (x86)
ProgramW6432=C:\Program Files
PROMPT=$P$G
PSModulePath=C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules;C:\Windows\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules
PUBLIC=C:\Users\Public
SystemDrive=C:
SystemRoot=C:\Windows
TEMP=C:\Users\DAVIDC~1\AppData\Local\Temp
TMP=C:\Users\DAVIDC~1\AppData\Local\Temp
USERDOMAIN=LAPTOP
USERDOMAIN_ROAMINGPROFILE=LAPTOP
USERNAME=David Candy
USERPROFILE=C:\Users\David Candy
windir=C:\Windows
--------
Dynamic - These are updated each time they are used
--------
CD
DATE
TIME
RANDOM
ERRORLEVEL
CMDEXTVERSION
CMDCMDLINE
HIGHESTNUMANODENUMBER
This command lists shell folders. Use with the shell: command in Run dialog.
EG
shell:appsfolder
@For /f "tokens=1* delims=" %%A in ('reg query HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions /f name /v name /s ^| findstr /c:"Name" ^| Sort') Do @Echo %%A
pause
And gives output like
Name REG_SZ 3D Objects
Name REG_SZ AccountPictures
Name REG_SZ AddNewProgramsFolder
Name REG_SZ Administrative Tools
Name REG_SZ AppData
Name REG_SZ AppDataDesktop
Name REG_SZ AppDataDocuments
Name REG_SZ AppDataFavorites
Name REG_SZ AppDataProgramData
Name REG_SZ Application Shortcuts
Name REG_SZ AppMods
Name REG_SZ AppsFolder
Name REG_SZ AppUpdatesFolder
Name REG_SZ Cache
Name REG_SZ Camera Roll
Name REG_SZ CameraRollLibrary
Name REG_SZ Captures
Name REG_SZ CD Burning
Name REG_SZ ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
Name REG_SZ Common Administrative Tools
Name REG_SZ Common AppData
Name REG_SZ Common Desktop
Name REG_SZ Common Documents
Name REG_SZ Common Programs
Name REG_SZ Common Start Menu
Name REG_SZ Common Start Menu Places
Name REG_SZ Common Startup
Name REG_SZ Common Templates
Name REG_SZ CommonDownloads
Name REG_SZ CommonMusic
Name REG_SZ CommonPictures
Name REG_SZ CommonRingtones
Name REG_SZ CommonVideo
Name REG_SZ ConflictFolder
Name REG_SZ ConnectionsFolder
Name REG_SZ Contacts
Name REG_SZ ControlPanelFolder
Name REG_SZ Cookies
Name REG_SZ CredentialManager
Name REG_SZ CryptoKeys
Name REG_SZ CSCFolder
Name REG_SZ Desktop
Name REG_SZ Development Files
Name REG_SZ Device Metadata Store
Name REG_SZ DocumentsLibrary
Name REG_SZ Downloads
Name REG_SZ DpapiKeys
Name REG_SZ Favorites
Name REG_SZ Fonts
Name REG_SZ GameTasks
Name REG_SZ History
Name REG_SZ HomeGroupCurrentUserFolder
Name REG_SZ HomeGroupFolder
Name REG_SZ ImplicitAppShortcuts
Name REG_SZ InternetFolder
Name REG_SZ Libraries
Name REG_SZ Links
Name REG_SZ Local AppData
Name REG_SZ Local Documents
Name REG_SZ Local Downloads
Name REG_SZ Local Music
Name REG_SZ Local Pictures
Name REG_SZ Local Videos
Name REG_SZ LocalAppDataLow
Name REG_SZ LocalizedResourcesDir
Name REG_SZ MAPIFolder
Name REG_SZ MusicLibrary
Name REG_SZ My Music
Name REG_SZ My Pictures
Name REG_SZ My Video
Name REG_SZ MyComputerFolder
Name REG_SZ NetHood
Name REG_SZ NetworkPlacesFolder
Name REG_SZ OEM Links
Name REG_SZ OneDrive
Name REG_SZ OneDriveCameraRoll
Name REG_SZ OneDriveDocuments
Name REG_SZ OneDriveMusic
Name REG_SZ OneDrivePictures
Name REG_SZ Original Images
Name REG_SZ Personal
Name REG_SZ PhotoAlbums
Name REG_SZ PicturesLibrary
Name REG_SZ Playlists
Name REG_SZ PrintersFolder
Name REG_SZ PrintHood
Name REG_SZ Profile
Name REG_SZ ProgramFiles
Name REG_SZ ProgramFilesCommon
Name REG_SZ ProgramFilesCommonX64
Name REG_SZ ProgramFilesCommonX86
Name REG_SZ ProgramFilesX64
Name REG_SZ ProgramFilesX86
Name REG_SZ Programs
Name REG_SZ Public
Name REG_SZ PublicAccountPictures
Name REG_SZ PublicGameTasks
Name REG_SZ PublicLibraries
Name REG_SZ Quick Launch
Name REG_SZ Recent
Name REG_SZ Recorded Calls
Name REG_SZ RecordedTVLibrary
Name REG_SZ RecycleBinFolder
Name REG_SZ ResourceDir
Name REG_SZ Retail Demo
Name REG_SZ Ringtones
Name REG_SZ Roamed Tile Images
Name REG_SZ Roaming Tiles
Name REG_SZ SavedGames
Name REG_SZ SavedPictures
Name REG_SZ SavedPicturesLibrary
Name REG_SZ Screenshots
Name REG_SZ Searches
Name REG_SZ SearchHistoryFolder
Name REG_SZ SearchHomeFolder
Name REG_SZ SearchTemplatesFolder
Name REG_SZ SendTo
Name REG_SZ Start Menu
Name REG_SZ Startup
Name REG_SZ SyncCenterFolder
Name REG_SZ SyncResultsFolder
Name REG_SZ SyncSetupFolder
Name REG_SZ System
Name REG_SZ SystemCertificates
Name REG_SZ SystemX86
Name REG_SZ Templates
Name REG_SZ ThisDeviceFolder
Name REG_SZ ThisPCDesktopFolder
Name REG_SZ User Pinned
Name REG_SZ UserProfiles
Name REG_SZ UserProgramFiles
Name REG_SZ UserProgramFilesCommon
Name REG_SZ UsersFilesFolder
Name REG_SZ UsersLibrariesFolder
Name REG_SZ VideosLibrary
Name REG_SZ Windows
Finally list protocol handlers. This is how UWP apps are started. Also new control panel applets.
EG
calculator://
@For /f "tokens=1* delims=" %%A in ('reg query HKCR /f "URL:*" /s /d ^| findstr /c:"URL:" ^| findstr /v /c:"URL: " ^| Sort') Do @Echo %%A %%B
pause
And the output is
(Default) REG_SZ URL:armodelviewing
(Default) REG_SZ URL:Available Networks Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:bingweather
(Default) REG_SZ URL:calculator
(Default) REG_SZ URL:com.gotrust.cdfapp
(Default) REG_SZ URL:com.microsoft.3dviewer
(Default) REG_SZ URL:Devices Flow Connectable Devices Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:Devices Flow Display Topology Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:dlna-playsingle Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:dropbox-oem
(Default) REG_SZ URL:evernote
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-events-share
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-api
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-api20131028
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-api20140131
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-api20140301
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-api20140430
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-diode
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-group-thread
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-neue
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-platform
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-platform-20150128
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-platform-20150218
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-platform-20150305
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-platform-20150714
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-public
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-share
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-share-api
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-messenger-voip
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fb-page-messages
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fbmessenger
(Default) REG_SZ URL:feedback-hub
(Default) REG_SZ URL:fiddlerapp
(Default) REG_SZ URL:File Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:File Transfer Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:File Transfer Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:http
(Default) REG_SZ URL:https
(Default) REG_SZ URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy
(Default) REG_SZ URL:insiderhub
(Default) REG_SZ URL:LDAP Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:LDAP Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:mailto
(Default) REG_SZ URL:messenger
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoft-edge
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoft.windows.camera
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoft.windows.camera.picker
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoft.windows.photos.crop
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoft.windows.photos.picker
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoft.windows.photos.videoedit
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoftmusic
(Default) REG_SZ URL:microsoftvideo
(Default) REG_SZ URL:MK Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:mms Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:mms Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-aad-brokerplugin
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-actioncenter
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-appinstaller
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-apprep
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-calculator
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-clock
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-contact-support
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-cortana2
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-cxh
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-default-location
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-device-enrollment
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-drive-to
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-eyecontrolspeech
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-gamebarservices
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-gamingoverlay
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-get-started
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-getoffice
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-holographicfirstrun
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-inputapp
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-insights
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-ipmessaging
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-meetnowflyout
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-msdt
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-officeapp
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-officecmd
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-oobenetwork
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-paint
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-penworkspace
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-people
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-phone
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-photos
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-print-addprinter
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-print-printjobs
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-quick-assist
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-retaildemo-launchbioenrollment
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-retaildemo-launchstart
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-screenclip
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-screensketch
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-search
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-airplanemode
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-bluetooth
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-cellular
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-emailandaccounts
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-language
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-location
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-lock
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-mobilehotspot
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-notifications
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-power
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-privacy
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-proximity
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-screenrotation
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-wifi
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-settings-workplace
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-sttoverlay
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-taskswitcher
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-unistore-email
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-voip-call
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-voip-video
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-walk-to
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-wcrv
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-windows-search
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-windows-store
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-windows-store2
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-wpc
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-wpdrmv
(Default) REG_SZ URL:ms-xgpueject
(Default) REG_SZ URL:msnweather
(Default) REG_SZ URL:om.facebook.317180b0bb486
(Default) REG_SZ URL:onenote
(Default) REG_SZ URL:onenote-cmd
(Default) REG_SZ URL:outlookaccounts
(Default) REG_SZ URL:outlookcal
(Default) REG_SZ URL:outlookmail
(Default) REG_SZ URL:Play Single DLNA Item Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:pw.gregoauth2
(Default) REG_SZ URL:read
(Default) REG_SZ URL:RES Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:RLogin Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:rsgcribbagedeluxe
(Default) REG_SZ URL:rsgheartsdeluxe
(Default) REG_SZ URL:rsgsimplemahjong
(Default) REG_SZ URL:rsgsimplesolitaire
(Default) REG_SZ URL:rsgsimplespider
(Default) REG_SZ URL:rtkuwp
(Default) REG_SZ URL:skype
(Default) REG_SZ URL:skypewin
(Default) REG_SZ URL:spotify
(Default) REG_SZ URL:tbauth
(Default) REG_SZ URL:tel
(Default) REG_SZ URL:Telnet Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:TN3270 Protocol
(Default) REG_SZ URL:Virtual Touchpad
(Default) REG_SZ URL:vscode
(Default) REG_SZ URL:windows-feedback
(Default) REG_SZ URL:windows.tbauth
(Default) REG_SZ URL:windowsdefender
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbls
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-arena
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-captures
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-friendfinder
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-gamehub
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-lfg
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-network
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-profile
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-settings
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-store
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xbox-tcui
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xboxgames
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xboxliveapp-1297287741
(Default) REG_SZ URL:xboxmusic
(Default) REG_SZ URL:zune