Special or shell folder in windows
Shell folders in Windows are specific folders that are used as the default location for specific file types.
Registry Configuration:- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
Press Window + R, then type Shell: folder shortcut, then press enter.
Example:- To open the windows installation folder.
Press Window + R, then type shell:Windows then press enter
| Shell: folder shortcut | Description | folder Type |
| shell:addnewprogramsfolder | To open the control panel “install a program from the network” applet | Internet Explorer |
| shell:administrative tools | To open the user‘s start menu\administrative tools folder (if any) | Internet Explorer |
| shell:appdata | To open the user‘s application data folder | User folder |
| shell:appupdatesfolder | To display installed windows updates | System folder |
| shell:cache | To open the temporary internet files folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:cd burning | To open the folder where files are stored before being burned to disc | User folder |
| shell:changeremoveprogramsfolder | To open the control panel “uninstall or change a program” applet | Internet Explorer |
| shell:common administrative tools | To open all users start menu\administrative tools folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:common appdata | To open the public application data folder | System folder |
| shell:common desktop | To open the public desktop | System folder |
| shell:common documents | To open the public documents folder | System folder |
| shell:common programs | To open the public start menu programs folder | System folder |
| shell:common start menu | To open the public start menu folder | System folder |
| shell:common startup | To open the public startup folder | System folder |
| shell:common templates | To open the public templates folder | System folder |
| shell:commondownloads | To open the public downloads folder | System folder |
| shell:commonmusic | To open the public music folder | Multimedia |
| shell:commonpictures | To open the public pictures folder | Multimedia |
| shell:commonringtones | To open the public ringtones folder. | System folder |
| shell:commonvideo | To open the public video folder | Multimedia |
| shell:conflictfolder | To display sync centre conflicts | Windows Sync Centre |
| shell:connectionsfolder | To open the list of network connections | Internet Explorer |
| shell:contacts | To open the user‘s windows contacts folder | User folder |
| shell:controlpanelfolder | To display the control panel | Internet Explorer |
| shell:cookies | To open the internet explorer cookies folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:credentialmanager | To open the user‘s credentials folder | User folder |
| shell:cryptokeys | To open the user‘s encryption keys folder | User folder |
| shell:cscfolder | To open the client side cache offline files folder, if supported | User folder |
| shell:default gadgets | To open the default sidebar gadgets folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:desktop | To open the user‘s desktop folder | User folder |
| shell:documentslibrary | To open the documents library | Library |
| shell:downloads | To open the user‘s downloads folder | User folder |
| shell:dpapikeys | To opens the user‘s appdata\roaming\microsoft\protect folder | User folder |
| shell:favorites | To open the internet explorer favorites folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:fonts | To open the fonts folder | System folder |
| shell:gadgets | To open the user folder of downloaded sidebar gadgets | Internet Explorer |
| shell:games | To open the games folder | System folder |
| shell:gametasks | To open the user‘s game explorer folder | User folder |
| shell:history | To open the user‘s history folder | User folder |
| shell:homegroupcurrentuserfolder | To open the homegroup folder for the currently logged-on user (if any) | System folder |
| shell:homegroupfolder | To open the homegroup folder | System folder |
| shell:immersive application shortcuts | To display metro app shortcuts (windows 8) | Internet Explorer |
| shell:implicitappshortcuts | To open the hidden implicitappshortcuts folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:internetfolder | To launches internet explorer applets and applications | Internet Explorer |
| shell:libraries | To open the libraries folder | Library |
| shell:links | To open the user‘s links folder | User folder |
| shell:local appdata | To open the user‘s application data folder | User folder |
| shell:musiclibrary | To display your music library | Library |
| shell:my music | To open the user‘s music folder | Multimedia |
| shell:my pictures | To open the user‘s pictures folder | Multimedia |
| shell:my video | To open the user‘s videos folder | Multimedia |
| shell:mycomputerfolder | To open the computer folder | System folder |
| shell:nethood | To open the user‘s network places folder | User folder |
| shell:networkplacesfolder | To open the network places folder | System folder |
| shell:oem links | To display links provided by your pc manufacturer (if any) | System folder |
| shell:original images | To open the windows photo gallery original images folder, if installed | Multimedia |
| shell:personal | To open the user‘s documents folder | User folder |
| shell:photoalbums | To open the user‘s pictures\slide shows folder (if present) | Multimedia |
| shell:pictureslibrary | To display your pictures library | Library |
| shell:playlists | To open the user‘s \music\playlists folder | User folder |
| shell:printersfolder | To open the printers folder | System folder |
| shell:printhood | To open the user‘s printer shortcuts folder | User folder |
| shell:profile | To open the user‘s profile folder | User folder |
| shell:programfiles | To open the program files folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:programfilescommon | To open the program files\common files folder | Internet Explorer |
| shell:programfilescommonx86 | To open the common files for 32-bit programs stored on 64-bit windows, | Internet Explorer |
| shell:programfilesx86 | To display 32-bit programs stored on 64-bit windows, | Internet Explorer |
| shell:programs | To open the user‘s start menu programs folder | User folder |
| shell:public | To open the users\public folder (shared files) | System folder |
| shell:publicgametasks | To open the public game explorer folder | System folder |
| shell:publiclibraries | To display public libraries, if any | Library |
| shell:publicusertiles | To open the public user tiles folder | User folder |
| shell:quick launch | To open the quick launch folder (disabled by default) | User folder |
| shell:recent | To open the user‘s recent documents folder | User folder |
| shell:recyclebinfolder | To open the recycle bin | System folder |
| shell:resourcedir | To open the windows resources folder (themes are stored here) | System folder |
| shell:ringtones | To display the user’s ringtones folder | User folder |
| shell:roaming tiles | To display further user tiles | User folder |
| shell:samplemusic | To open the sample music folder | Multimedia |
| shell:samplepictures | To open the sample pictures folder | Multimedia |
| shell:samplevideos | To open the sample videos folder | Multimedia |
| shell:savedgames | To open the saved games folder | User folder |
| shell:searches | To open the saved searches folder | User folder |
| shell:searchhomefolder | To open the windows search tool | Internet Explorer |
| shell:sendto | To open the user‘s send to folder | User folder |
| shell:start menu | To open the user‘s start menu folder | User folder |
| shell:startup | To open the user‘s startup folder | User folder |
| shell:synccenterfolder | To display sync centre | Windows Sync Centre |
| shell:syncresultsfolder | To display sync centre results | Windows Sync Centre |
| shell:syncsetupfolder | To open the sync centre setup options | Windows Sync Centre |
| shell:system | To open the windows system folder | System folder |
| shell:systemcertificates | To open the user‘s certificates folder | User folder |
| shell:systemx86 | To open the windows system folder for 32-bit files on 64-bit windows, | System folder |
| shell:templates | To open the user‘s templates folder | User folder |
| shell:user pinned | To access shortcuts pinned to the start menu or taskbar | User folder |
| shell:userprofiles | To open the folder holding all user profiles | System folder |
| shell:usertiles | To display your user tiles (the images you can use for your account) | User folder |
| shell:videoslibrary | To display your videos library | Library |
| shell:windows | To open the windows installation folder (usually \windows) | System folder |
