C#: Find location of My Documents, Application Data, Program Files and other Windows directories
I’ve seen the (perhaps VB-style) way of getting the MyDocuments folder, by using %HOMEDIR%, a batch-style variable. Some of these environment variables can be modified by navigating to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced (tab). In Vista, you’ll need to select Advanced System Settings at the System page in order to invoke the System Properties dialog.
These environment varibles work as pathes, but they are not really the accepted way of doing things. What you should do, is use System.Environment.GetFolderPath(). This method takes a value from the System.Environment.SpecialFolder enum. GetFolderPath will return a string for your location. This is supported on all versionf of the .NET framework.
Below is an excerpt from MSDN of the possible values for SpecialFolder:
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| ApplicationData | The directory that serves as a common repository for application-specific data for the current roaming user. | |
| CommonApplicationData | The directory that serves as a common repository for application-specific data that is used by all users. | |
| LocalApplicationData | The directory that serves as a common repository for application-specific data that is used by the current, non-roaming user. | |
| Cookies | The directory that serves as a common repository for Internet cookies. | |
| Desktop | The logical Desktop rather than the physical file system location. | |
| Favorites | The directory that serves as a common repository for the user’s favorite items. | |
| History | The directory that serves as a common repository for Internet history items. | |
| InternetCache | The directory that serves as a common repository for temporary Internet files. | |
| Programs | The directory that contains the user’s program groups. | |
| MyComputer | The “My Computer” folder. | |
| MyMusic | The “My Music” folder. | |
| MyPictures | The “My Pictures” folder. | |
| Recent | The directory that contains the user’s most recently used documents. | |
| SendTo | The directory that contains the Send To menu items. | |
| StartMenu | The directory that contains the Start menu items. | |
| Startup | The directory that corresponds to the user’s Startup program group. | |
| System | The System directory. | |
| Templates | The directory that serves as a common repository for document templates. | |
| DesktopDirectory | The directory used to physically store file objects on the desktop. | |
| Personal | The directory that serves as a common repository for documents. | |
| MyDocuments | The “My Documents” folder. | |
| ProgramFiles | The program files directory. | |
| CommonProgramFiles | The directory for components that are shared across applications. |