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 "Install a program from the network" applet	Vista, 7, 8
shell:Administrative Tools	Displays shortcuts to the applets in your Control PanelAdministrative Tools folder (if any)	XP, Vista, 7, 8
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder	Open the Control Panel "Uninstall or change a program" applet	Vista, 7, 8
shell:Common Administrative Tools	Displays shortcuts to the Public applets in your Control PanelAdministrative Tools folder	XP, Vista, 7, 8
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 Gadgets	Vista, 7, 8
shell:Immersive Application Shortcuts	Displays shortcuts to the apps on your Metro screen (not regular shortcuts, but still interesting to explore)	8
shell:ProgramFiles	Open the Program Files folder	XP, Vista, 7, 8
shell:ProgramFilesX86	Displays 32-bit programs stored on 64-bit Windows, or the Program Files folder on 32-bit Windows	Vista, 7, 8
shell:ProgramFilesCommon	Open the Program FilesCommon Files folder	Vista, 7, 8
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86	Open the Common Files for 32-bit programs stored on 64-bit Windows, or the Program FilesCommon Files folder on 32-bit Windows	Vista, 7, 8
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 versions of images tweaked by Windows Photo Gallery, if installed	XP, Vista, 7, 8
shell:PhotoAlbums	Open the user PicturesSlide Shows folder (if present)	Vista, 7, 8
shell:Podcasts	Open the user Podcasts folder (if Zune is installed)	XP, Vista, 7, 8
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 should contain some sample files.	7, 8
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 logged-on user (will disappear immediately if you don't have a homegroup)	8
shell:MyComputerFolder	Open the Computer folder	Vista, 7, 8
shell:OEM Links	Displays links provided by your PC manufacturer (if any)	XP, Vista, 7
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder	Open the Network Places folder	Vista, 7, 8
shell:PrintersFolder	Open the Printers folder	XP, Vista, 7, 8
shell:Public	Open the UsersPublic folder for quick access to public Music, Downloads, Pictures and more	Vista, 7, 8
shell:PublicGameTasks	Open the Public Game Explorer folder	Vista, 7, 8
shell:ResourceDir	Open the Windows Resources folder (themes are stored here)	XP, Vista, 7, 8
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 files on 64-bit Windows, or WindowsSystem32 on 32-bit Windows	Vista, 8
shell:UserProfiles	Open the folder holding all user profiles	Vista, 7, 8
shell:Windows	Open the Windows installation folder (usually Windows)	XP, Vista, 7, 8

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 (if Zune is installed)	7, 8
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 before being burned to disc	XP, Vista, 7, 8
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 folder, if supported	XP, Vista, 7
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 AppDataRoamingMicrosoftProtect folder	Vista, 7, 8
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 MusicPlaylists 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 or Taskbar	7
shell:UserTiles	Displays your user tiles (the images you can use for your account)	8
shell:PublicUserTiles	Open the Public user tiles folder	8
shell:Roaming Tiles	Displays further user tiles	8

Enjoy!