The windows operating system stores user profile information in a User Shell Folders. Windows stores the location of per-user special folders under the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
| Name | Default Path | Description |
| appdata | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming | Application-specific data. |
| cache | %userprofile%\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files | Save temporary files folder of internet explorer |
| cookies | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\cookies | Windows internet explorer cookies. |
| desktop | %userprofile%\desktop | Shortcuts to display on the desktop. |
| favorites | %userprofile%\favorites | Links to favorite websites. |
| history | %userprofile%\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\history | Internet explorer history. |
| local appdata | %userprofile%\appdata\local | Application settings and data that do not roam with the profile. Usually either machine specific, or too large to roam effectively. |
| my music | %userprofile%\music | Default location for users music. |
| my pictures | %userprofile%\pictures | Default location for users pictures. |
| nethood | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\network shortcuts | Shortcuts to network neighborhood items. |
| personal | %userprofile%\documents | The new default location for any documents that the user creates |
| printhood | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\printer shortcuts | Shortcuts to printer folder items. |
| programs | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\start menu\programs | User-specific programs directory |
| recent | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\recent | Shortcuts to the most recently used documents. |
| sendto | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\sendto | Shortcuts to locations to which the user often sends files. |
| start menu | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\start menu | Menu items for the start menu. |
| startup | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\start menu\programs\startup | Programs or shortcuts placed in the startup folder will run whenever windows starts |
| templates | %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\templates | Shortcuts to template items. |
