Constant special item ID list (CSIDL) values provide a way to identify folders that applications use frequently but may not have the same name or location on any given computer. For example, the system folder may be C:\Windows on one computer and C:\Winnt on another. You can use the asterisk (*) wildcard character in MigUser.xml, MigApp.xml and MigDoc.xml files. However, you cannot use the asterisk (*) wildcard characters in the Config.xml file.
Note | |
You cannot use the question mark (?) as a wildcard character. |
In This Topic
Variables that are processed for the operating system and in the context of each user
You can use these variables within sections in the .xml
files with context=UserAndSystem
,
context=User
, and context=System
.
Variable | Explanation | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
ALLUSERSAPPDATA |
Same as CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA. |
|||
ALLUSERSPROFILE |
Refers to %PROFILESFOLDER%\Public or %PROFILESFOLDER%\all users. |
|||
COMMONPROGRAMFILES |
Same as CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON. |
|||
COMMONPROGRAMFILES(X86) |
Refers to the C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files folder on 64-bit systems. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_ADMINTOOLS |
Version 5.0. The file-system directory that contains administrative tools for all users of the computer. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_ALTSTARTUP |
The file-system directory that corresponds to the non-localized Startup program group for all users. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA |
The file-system directory that contains application data for all users. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\ProgramData. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_DESKTOPDIRECTORY |
The file-system directory that contains files and folders that appear on the desktop for all users. A typical Windows® XP path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Public\Desktop. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_DOCUMENTS |
The file-system directory that contains documents that are common to all users. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Public\Documents. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_FAVORITES |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for favorites common to all users. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Public\Favorites. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_MUSIC |
The file-system directory that serves as a repository for music files common to all users. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Music. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Public\Music. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_PICTURES |
The file-system directory that serves as a repository for image files common to all users. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Pictures. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Public\Pictures. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_PROGRAMS |
The file-system directory that contains the directories for the common program groups that appear on the Start menu for all users. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_STARTMENU |
The file-system directory that contains the programs and folders which appear on the Start menu for all users. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_STARTUP |
The file-system directory that contains the programs that appear in the Startup folder for all users. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_TEMPLATES |
The file-system directory that contains the templates that are available to all users. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Templates. C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates. |
|||
CSIDL_COMMON_VIDEO |
The file-system directory that serves as a repository for video files common to all users. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Public\Videos. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_APPDATA |
Refers to the Appdata folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_LOCAL_APPDATA |
Refers to the local Appdata folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_COOKIES |
Refers to the Cookies folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_CONTACTS |
Refers to the Contacts folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_DESKTOP |
Refers to the Desktop folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_DOWNLOADS |
Refers to the Downloads folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_FAVORITES |
Refers to the Favorites folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_HISTORY |
Refers to the History folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_INTERNET_CACHE |
Refers to the Internet Cache folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_PERSONAL |
Refers to the Personal folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYDOCUMENTS |
Refers to the My Documents folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYPICTURES |
Refers to the My Pictures folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYMUSIC |
Refers to the My Music folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYVIDEO |
Refers to the My Videos folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_RECENT |
Refers to the Recent folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_SENDTO |
Refers to the Send To folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_STARTMENU |
Refers to the Start Menu folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_PROGRAMS |
Refers to the Programs folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_STARTUP |
Refers to the Startup folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_TEMPLATES |
Refers to the Templates folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_DEFAULT_QUICKLAUNCH |
Refers to the Quick Launch folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%. |
|||
CSIDL_FONTS |
A virtual folder containing fonts. A typical path is C:\Windows\Fonts. |
|||
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESX86 |
The Program Files folder on 64-bit systems. A typical path is C:\Program Files(86). |
|||
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMONX86 |
A folder for components that are shared across applications on 64-bit systems. A typical path is C:\Program Files(86)\Common. |
|||
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES |
The Program Files folder. A typical path is C:\Program Files. |
|||
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON |
A folder for components that are shared across applications. A typical path is C:\Program Files\Common. |
|||
CSIDL_RESOURCES |
For computers running Windows Vista®, the file-system directory that contains resource data. A typical path is C:\Windows\Resources. |
|||
CSIDL_SYSTEM |
The Windows System folder. A typical path is C:\Windows\System32. |
|||
CSIDL_WINDOWS |
The Windows directory or system root. This corresponds to the %WINDIR% or %SYSTEMROOT% environment variables. A typical path is C:\Windows. |
|||
DEFAULTUSERPROFILE |
Refers to the value in HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\ProfileList [DefaultUserProfile]. |
|||
PROFILESFOLDER |
Refers to the value in HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\ProfileList [ProfilesDirectory]. |
|||
PROGRAMFILES |
Same as CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES. |
|||
PROGRAMFILES(X86) |
Refers to the C:\Program Files (x86) folder on 64-bit systems. |
|||
SYSTEM |
Refers to %WINDIR%\system32. |
|||
SYSTEM16 |
Refers to %WINDIR%\system. |
|||
SYSTEM32 |
Refers to %WINDIR%\system32. |
|||
SYSTEMPROFILE |
Refers to the value in HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\ProfileList\\S-1-5-18 [ProfileImagePath]. |
|||
SYSTEMROOT |
Refers to the root of the system drive. |
|||
WINDIR |
Refers to the Windows folder located on the system drive. |
Variables that are recognized only in the user context
You can use these variables in the .xml files within
sections with context=User
and
context=UserAndSystem
.
Variable | Explanation | |
---|---|---|
APPDATA |
Same as CSIDL_APPDATA. |
|
CSIDL_ADMINTOOLS |
The file-system directory that is used to store administrative tools for an individual user. The Microsoft® Management Console (MMC) saves customized consoles to this directory, which roams with the user profile. |
|
CSIDL_ALTSTARTUP |
The file-system directory that corresponds to the user's non-localized Startup program group. |
|
CSIDL_APPDATA |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for application-specific data. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data or C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming. |
|
CSIDL_BITBUCKET |
The virtual folder that contains the objects in the user's Recycle Bin. |
|
CSIDL_CDBURN_AREA |
The file-system directory acting as a staging area for files waiting to be written to CD. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\MasteredBurning\Disc Burning. |
|
CSIDL_CONNECTIONS |
The virtual folder representing Network Connections that contains network and dial-up connections. |
|
CSIDL_CONTACTS |
On computers running Windows Vista or Windows 7, this refers to the Contacts folder in %CSIDL_PROFILE%. |
|
CSIDL_CONTROLS |
The virtual folder that contains icons for the Control Panel items. |
|
CSIDL_COOKIES |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for Internet cookies. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Cookies. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies. |
|
CSIDL_DESKTOP |
The virtual folder representing the Windows desktop. |
|
CSIDL_DESKTOPDIRECTORY |
The file-system directory used to physically store file objects on the desktop, which should not be confused with the desktop folder itself. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Desktop. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\Desktop. |
|
CSIDL_DRIVES |
The virtual folder representing My Computer that contains everything on the local computer: storage devices, printers, and Control Panel. The folder may also contain mapped network drives. |
|
CSIDL_FAVORITES |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for the user's favorites. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Favorites. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\Favorites. |
|
CSIDL_HISTORY |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for Internet history items. |
|
CSIDL_INTERNET |
A virtual folder for the Internet Explorer icon on desktop. |
|
CSIDL_INTERNET_CACHE |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for temporary Internet files. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files |
|
CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA |
The file-system directory that serves as a data repository for local, non-roaming applications. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Local. |
|
CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS |
The virtual folder representing My Documents. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\Documents. |
|
CSIDL_MYMUSIC |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for music files. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\My Music. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\Music. |
|
CSIDL_MYPICTURES |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for image files. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Pictures. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\Pictures. |
|
CSIDL_MYVIDEO |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for video files. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Videos. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\Videos. |
|
CSIDL_NETHOOD |
A file-system directory that contains the link objects that may exist in the My Network Places virtual folder. It is not the same as CSIDL_NETWORK, which represents the network namespace root. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\NetHood. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts. |
|
CSIDL_NETWORK |
A virtual folder representing My Network Places, the root of the network namespace hierarchy. |
|
CSIDL_PERSONAL |
In Windows Vista or Windows 7, the virtual folder representing the My Documents desktop item. This is equivalent to CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS. In Windows XP, the file-system directory used to physically store a user's common repository of documents. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents. |
|
CSIDL_PLAYLISTS |
For computers running Windows Vista or Windows 7, the virtual folder used to store play albums, typically C:\Users\username\My Music\Playlists. |
|
CSIDL_PRINTERS |
The virtual folder that contains installed printers. |
|
CSIDL_PRINTHOOD |
The file-system directory that contains the link objects that can exist in the Printers virtual folder. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\PrintHood. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts. |
|
CSIDL_PROFILE |
The user's profile folder. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username. |
|
CSIDL_PROGRAMS |
The file-system directory that contains the user's program groups, which are themselves file-system directories. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. |
|
CSIDL_RECENT |
The file-system directory that contains shortcuts to the user's most recently used documents. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Recent Documents. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent. |
|
CSIDL_SENDTO |
The file-system directory that contains Send To menu items. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\SendTo. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo. |
|
CSIDL_STARTMENU |
The file-system directory that contains Start menu items. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu. |
|
CSIDL_STARTUP |
The file-system directory that corresponds to the user's Startup program group. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. |
|
CSIDL_TEMPLATES |
The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for document templates. A typical path in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Templates. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates. |
|
HOMEPATH |
Same as the standard environment variable. |
|
TEMP |
The temporary folder on the computer. For Windows XP, a typical path is %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temp. For Windows Vista or Windows 7, a typical path is %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp. |
|
TMP |
The temporary folder on the computer. For Windows XP, a typical path is %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temp. For Windows Vistaor Windows 7, a typical path is %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp. |
|
USERPROFILE |
Same as CSIDL_PROFILE. |
|
USERSID |
Represents the current user-account security identifier (SID). For example, S-1-5-21-1714567821-1326601894-715345443-1026. |