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!
4 Answers
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.
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.
-------- 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 Both answers from @mokubai and @ramhound are useful and basically they are the same just one use command prompt and the other uses PowerShell.
I just want to add a list to default environment variables of Windows 10, so others can have more resources to learn. This answer was inspired by both of their answers, so kudos to them.
Note: some of them only work in command prompt
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