Selecting a CSIDL

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ProPath uses the Windows API to give your program access to file locations as defined by Microsoft Constant Special item ID List equates (CSIDLs).

Note: Not all CSIDL locations are appropriate for normal data or INI files from your program. Only those that are recommended for such use are shown in this list.


The CSIDL options in ProPath for the base folder of your data locations are as follows:

CSIDL_PERSONAL
This data location is based on the login name of the user who is currently logged in on the computer.

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The current user has both read and write permissions for this folder.

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This folder is suitable for any type of data that is user specific.

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It is visible in Windows Explorer with the default settings on most systems.

·

This folder is not visible to the installer

Note: This folder is one that is usually backed up by default from most software and online backup services. The other CSIDL locations shown below may or may not be included in normal backups, so keep that in mind when you make your selections.

Where is CSIDL_PERSONAL on my computer?

XP       C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\My Documents
Vista       C:\Users\User Name\Documents
Windows 7   C:\Users\User Name\Documents



CSIDL_COMMON_DOCUMENTS
This data location is available to all users who can login on the computer.

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All users on this computer have both read and write permissions for this folder.

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This folder is suitable for any type of data that needs to be visible to more than one user.

·

It is visible in Windows Explorer with the default settings on most systems.

·

This folder is visible to the installer

Where is CSIDL_COMMON_DOCUMENTS on my computer?

XP       C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\My Documents
Vista       C:\Users\Public\Documents
Windows 7   C:\Users\Public\Documents



CSIDL_APPDATA
This data location is based on the login name of the user who is currently logged in on the computer.

·

The current user has both read and write permissions for this folder.

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This folder is typically used for INI files or user specific application data (that optionally needs to roam with the user).

·

It is visible in Windows Explorer with the default settings on most systems.

·

This folder is not visible to the installer

Note: this folder is very similar to the CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA with one notable exception. If ROAMING is enabled and the user has a ROAMING PROFILE, then files placed in this folder will be accessible from other computers (subject to the Microsoft rules and guidelines for ROAMING).

Where is CSIDL_APPDATA on my computer?

XP       C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data
Vista       C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming
Windows 7   C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming



CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA
This data location is available to all users who can login on the computer.

·

All users on this computer have read only permissions for this folder.

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This folder is typically used for application data that is not user specific.

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It is hidden in Windows Explorer with the default settings on most systems.

·

This folder is visible to the installer

Where is CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA on my computer?

XP       C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
Vista       C:\ProgramData
Windows 7   C:\ProgramData



CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA
This data location is based on the login name of the user who is currently logged in on the computer.

·

The current user has both read and write permissions for this folder.

·

This folder is typically used for INI files or user specific application data

·

It is visible in Windows Explorer with the default settings on most systems.

·

This folder is not visible to the installer

Note: this folder is very similar to the CSIDL_APPDATA, however it is local to the computer and does not ROAM (even if ROAMING is enabled and the user has a ROAMING profile).

Where is CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA on my computer?

XP       C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Application Data
Vista       C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Local
Windows 7   C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Local


Tip: Arnor Baldvinsson has a nice in depth article on the Icetips Blog about CSIDL locations that you can read here.