| Description | Shell: folder shortcut | Equivalent | System | User |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display installed Windows Updates | shell:AppUpdatesFolder | Control Panel > Programs and Features> Installed updates | System folder | |
| Display links provided by your PC manufacturer (if any) | shell:OEM Links | System folder | ||
| Open the Computer folder | shell:MyComputerFolder | "This PC" | System folder | |
| Open the folder holding all user profiles | shell:UserProfiles | C:\Users | System folder | |
| Open the Fonts folder | shell:Fonts | %SystemRoot%\Fonts = C:\Windows\Fonts |
System folder | |
| Open the Games folder | shell:Games | System folder | ||
| Open the HomeGroup folder | shell:HomeGroupFolder | System folder | ||
| Open the HomeGroup folder for the currently logged-on user (if any) | shell:HomeGroupCurrentUserFolder | System folder | ||
| Open the Network Places folder | shell:NetworkPlacesFolder | "Network" | System folder | |
| Open the Printers folder | shell:PrintersFolder | Control Panel > Printers | System folder | |
| Open the Public Application Data folder | shell:Common AppData | %ProgramData% = C:\ProgramData |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Desktop | shell:Common Desktop | %Public%\Desktop\ = C:\Users\Public\Desktop |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Documents folder | shell:Common Documents | %Public%\Documents\ = C:\Users\Public\Documents |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Downloads folder | shell:CommonDownloads | %Public%\Downloads\ = C:\Users\Public\Downloads |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Game Explorer folder | shell:PublicGameTasks | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer\ =C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer |
System folder | |
| Open the Public ringtones folder. | shell:CommonRingtones | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones\ =C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Start Menu folder | shell:Common Start Menu | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\ =C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Start Menu Programs folder | shell:Common Programs | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\ =C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Startup folder | shell:Common Startup | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ =C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup |
System folder | |
| Open the Public Templates folder | shell:Common Templates | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\ =C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates |
System folder | |
| Open the Recycle Bin | shell:RecycleBinFolder | "Recycle Bin" | System folder | |
| Open the Users\Public folder (Shared files) | shell:Public | %Public% = C:\Users\Public | Public folder | |
| Open the Windows installation folder (usually \Windows) | shell:Windows | %SystemRoot% = C:\Windows | System folder | |
| Open the Windows Resources folder (themes are stored here) | shell:ResourceDir | %SystemRoot%\Resources\ = C:\Windows\Resources | System folder | |
| Open the Windows System folder | shell:System | %SystemRoot%\System32\ = C:\Windows\System32 | System folder | |
| Open the Windows System folder for 32-bit files on 64-bit Windows, Or \Windows\System32 on 32-bit Windows |
shell:Systemx86 | %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\ = C:\Windows\SysWOW64 | System folder | |
| Access shortcuts pinned to the Start menu or Taskbar | shell:User Pinned | %AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned |
User folder | |
| Display the user's Ringtones folder | shell:Ringtones | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones |
User folder |
|
| Display further user tiles | shell:Roaming Tiles | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Roaming Tiles\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\RoamingTiles |
User folder | |
| Display your user tiles (the images you can use for your account) | shell:UserTiles | %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures |
User folder |
|
| Open the Client Side Cache Offline Files folder, if supported | shell:CSCFolder | Client Side Cache, if enabled | User folder |
|
| Open the folder where files are stored before being burned to disc | shell:CD Burning | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn |
User folder |
|
| Open the Public user tiles folder | shell:PublicUserTiles | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\ = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\ |
System folder | |
| Open the Quick Launch folder (disabled by default) | shell:Quick Launch | %AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch |
User folder | |
| Open the Saved Games folder | shell:SavedGames | %UserProfile%\Saved Games\ = C:\Users\<username>\Saved Games | User folder | |
| Open the saved searches folder | shell:Searches | %UserProfile%\Searches\ = C:\Users\<username>\Searches | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s \Music\Playlists folder | shell:Playlists | |||
| Open the user‘s Application Data folder | shell:AppData | %AppData% = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\ | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Application Data folder | shell:Local AppData | %LocalAppData% = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\ | User folder | User folder |
| Open the user‘s certificates folder | shell:SystemCertificates | %AppData%\Microsoft\System Certificates\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\System Certificates |
User folder | User folder |
| Open the user‘s Credentials folder | shell:CredentialManager | %AppData%\Microsoft\Credentials\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials |
User folder | User folder |
| Open the user‘s desktop folder | shell:Desktop | Desktop merged from %UserProfile%\Desktop + %Public%\Desktop\ |
Public folder | User folder |
| Open the user‘s Documents folder | shell:Personal | %UserProfile%\Documents\ = C:\Users\<username>\Documents | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s downloads folder | shell:Downloads | %UserProfile%\Downloads\ = C:\Users\<username>\Downloads | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s encryption keys folder | shell:Cryptokeys | %AppData%\Microsoft\Crypto\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Game Explorer folder | shell:GameTasks | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer |
User folder |
|
| Open the user‘s History folder | shell:History | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\History\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History |
User folder |
|
| Open the user‘s Links folder | shell:Links | %UserProfile%\Links\ = C:\Users\<username>\Links | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Network Places folder | shell:NetHood | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s printer shortcuts folder | shell:PrintHood | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s profile folder | shell:Profile | %UserProfile% = C:\Users\<username> | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Send To folder | shell:SendTo | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Start Menu folder | shell:Start Menu | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Start Menu Programs folder | shell:Programs | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Startup folder | shell:Startup | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Templates folder | shell:Templates | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates |
User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Windows Contacts folder | shell:Contacts | %UserProfile%\Contacts\ = C:\Users\<username>\Contacts | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Recent Documents folder | shell:Recent | %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent |
User folder | |
| Opens the user‘s AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Protect folder | shell:DpAPIKeys | %AppData%\Microsoft\Protect\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Protect |
User folder | |
| Display 32-bit programs stored on 64-bit Windows, or the \Program Files folder on 32-bit Windows |
shell:ProgramFilesX86 | %ProgramFiles(x86)% = C:\ProgramFiles (x86) | System folder | |
| Display the Control Panel | shell:ControlPanelFolder | Control Panel | Control Panel | |
| Open the user‘s Start Menu\Administrative Tools folder (if any) | shell:Administrative Tools | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools |
User folder | |
| Display Metro App shortcuts (Windows 8) | shell:Immersive Application Shortcuts | |||
| Open All Users Start Menu\Administrative Tools folder | shell:Common Administrative Tools | %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\ =C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools |
System Folder | |
| Launches Internet Explorer Applets and applications | shell:InternetFolder | Internet Explorer | ||
| Open the Common Files for 32-bit programs stored on 64-bit Windows, Or the Program Files\Common Files folder on 32-bit Windows |
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86 | %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Common Files\ = C:\ProgramFiles (x86)\Common Files |
Internet Explorer | |
| Open the Control Panel "Install a program from the network" applet | shell:AddNewProgramsFolder | Control Panel > Get Programs from the network | Control Panel | |
| Open the Control Panel "Uninstall or change a program" applet | shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder | Control Panel > Uninstall or change a program | Control Panel | |
| Open the default Sidebar Gadgets folder | shell:Default Gadgets | System folder | ||
| Open the hidden ImplicitAppShortcuts folder | shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts | %AppData%\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\ImplicitAppShortcuts\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ImplicitAppShortcuts |
Internet Explorer | User folder |
| Open the Internet Explorer Cookies folder | shell:Cookies | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\iNetCookies\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\iNetCookies |
Internet Explorer | User folder |
| Open the Internet Explorer Favorites folder | shell:Favorites | %UserProfile%\Favorites\ = C:\Users\<username>\Favorites |
User folder | |
| Open the list of Network Connections | shell:ConnectionsFolder | Control Panel > Network Connections | Control Panel | |
| Open the Program Files folder | shell:ProgramFiles | %ProgramFiles% = C:\Program Files |
System folder | |
| Open the Program Files\Common Files folder | shell:ProgramFilesCommon | %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\ = C:\Program Files\Common Files |
System folder | |
| Open the Temporary Internet Files folder | shell:Cache | %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\iNetCache\ = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\iNetCache |
Internet Explorer | User folder |
| Open the user folder of downloaded Sidebar Gadgets | shell:Gadgets | Internet Explorer | ||
| Open the Windows Search tool | shell:SearchHomeFolder | Windows Explorer Search box | System folder | |
| Display public libraries, if any | shell:PublicLibraries | %Public%\Libraries\ = C:\Users\Public\Libraries | Library | |
| Display your Music library | shell:MusicLibrary | Libraries\Music | Library | |
| Display your Pictures library | shell:PicturesLibrary | Libraries\Pictures | Library | |
| Display your Videos library | shell:VideosLibrary | Libraries\Videos | Library | |
| Open the Documents library | shell:DocumentsLibrary | Libraries\Documents | Library | |
| Open the Libraries folder | shell:Libraries | Libraries | Library | |
| Open the Windows Photo Gallery Original Images folder, if installed | shell:Original Images | Multimedia | ||
| Open the Public Music folder | shell:CommonMusic | %Public%\Music\ = C:\Users\Public\Music | Multimedia | |
| Open the Public Pictures folder | shell:CommonPictures | %Public%\Pictures\ = C:\Users\Public\Pictures | Multimedia | |
| Open the Public Video folder | shell:CommonVideo | %Public%\Videos\ = C:\Users\Public\Videos | Multimedia | |
| Open the Sample Music folder | shell:SampleMusic | %Public%\Music\Sample Music\ = C:\Users\Public\Music\SampleMusic | Multimedia | |
| Open the Sample Pictures folder | shell:SamplePictures | %Public%\Pictures\Sample Pictures\ = C:\Users\Public\Pictures\Sample Pictures | Multimedia | |
| Open the Sample Videos folder | shell:SampleVideos | %Public%\Videos\Sample Videos\ = C:\Users\Public\Videos\Sample videos | Multimedia | |
| Open the user‘s Music folder | shell:My Music | %UserProfile%\Music\ = C:\Users\<username>\Music | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Pictures folder | shell:My Pictures | %UserProfile%\Pictures\ = C:\Users\<username>\Pictures | User folder | |
| Open the user‘s Pictures\Slide Shows folder (if present) | shell:PhotoAlbums | |||
| Open the user‘s Videos folder | shell:My Video | %UserProfile%\Videos\ = C:\Users\<username>\Videos | User folder | |
| Display Sync Centre | shell:SyncCenterFolder | Control Panel > Sync Centre | Windows Sync Centre | |
| Display Sync Centre Conflicts | shell:ConflictFolder | Control Panel > Sync Conflicts | Windows Sync Centre | |
| Display Sync Centre Results | shell:SyncResultsFolder | Control Panel > Sync Results | Windows Sync Centre | |
| Open the Sync Centre Setup options | shell:SyncSetupFolder | Control Panel > Setup new Sync Partnerships | Windows Sync Centre |
Unless indicated otherwise, all the shortcuts above work in all versions of Windows from Vista upwards.
Shell folder shortcuts can be used directly in the Windows Explorer Address bar: shell:Desktop
Or in the Start Menu Start | Run | shell:Desktop
From the command line shell: shortcuts can be passed to Explorer.exe:
C:\> explorer.exe shell:desktopYou can also pass a variable or string:
C:\> explorer.exe %ProgramFiles%
The START command also accepts shell: shortcuts with spaces but they have to be quoted like so:
C:\> start "" "shell:my music"
C:\> start "" %UserProfile%\Music\
To create a shortcut to any of the shell folders above: Right click the Desktop > New Shortcut and set the location/target to explorer.exe followed by the shell:option
For example:explorer.exe shell:PrintersFolder
Alternatively you can use a variable/string:
explorer.exe "%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\"
Non admin users will find it difficult to create a Shell: shortcut directly on the Task bar, it can be done but requires creating the shortcut in: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar
It can then be dragged into the taskbar.Create a 'God mode' shortcut (a full set of Control Panel options) by setting the shortcut target to:
%WinDir%\explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
“You go away for a long time and return a different person - you never come all the way back” ~ Paul Theroux
Related
EXPLORER - Open Windows Explorer.
User Shell Folders - Profile, Start Menu - Location of user profile folders.
Remove sidebar folder shortcuts from “This PC” on Windows 10 - howtogeek.com
Env. Variables - List of environment variables.
RUN commands Start | Run commands.