Recognized Environment Variables

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Vista

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

  • Variables that are recognized only in the user context

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.

VariableExplanation
ALLUSERSAPPDATASame as CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA.
ALLUSERSPROFILERefers to %PROFILESFOLDER%\Public or %PROFILESFOLDER%\all users.
COMMONPROGRAMFILESSame as CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON.
COMMONPROGRAMFILES(X86)Refers to the C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files folder on 64-bit systems.
CSIDL_COMMON_ADMINTOOLSVersion 5.0. The file-system directory that contains administrative tools for all users of the computer.
CSIDL_COMMON_ALTSTARTUPThe file-system directory that corresponds to the non-localized Startup program group for all users.
CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATAThe file-system directory that contains application data for all users. A typical path in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is C:\ProgramData.
CSIDL_COMMON_DESKTOPDIRECTORYThe 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_DOCUMENTSThe 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_FAVORITESThe 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_MUSICThe 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_PICTURESThe 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_PROGRAMSThe 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_STARTMENUThe 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_STARTUPThe 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_TEMPLATESThe 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_VIDEOThe 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_APPDATARefers to the Appdata folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_LOCAL_APPDATARefers to the local Appdata folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_COOKIESRefers to the Cookies folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_CONTACTSRefers to the Contacts folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_DESKTOPRefers to the Desktop folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_DOWNLOADSRefers to the Downloads folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_FAVORITESRefers to the Favorites folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_HISTORYRefers to the History folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_INTERNET_CACHERefers to the Internet Cache folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_PERSONALRefers to the Personal folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYDOCUMENTSRefers to the My Documents folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYPICTURESRefers to the My Pictures folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYMUSICRefers to the My Music folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYVIDEORefers to the My Videos folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_RECENTRefers to the Recent folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_SENDTORefers to the Send To folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_STARTMENURefers to the Start Menu folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_PROGRAMSRefers to the Programs folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_STARTUPRefers to the Startup folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_TEMPLATESRefers to the Templates folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_DEFAULT_QUICKLAUNCHRefers to the Quick Launch folder inside %DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%.
CSIDL_FONTSA virtual folder containing fonts. A typical path is C:\Windows\Fonts.
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESX86The Program Files folder on 64-bit systems. A typical path is C:\Program Files(86).
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMONX86A folder for components that are shared across applications on 64-bit systems. A typical path is C:\Program Files(86)\Common.
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESThe Program Files folder. A typical path is C:\Program Files.
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMONA folder for components that are shared across applications. A typical path is C:\Program Files\Common.
CSIDL_RESOURCESFor computers running Windows Vista®, the file-system directory that contains resource data. A typical path is C:\Windows\Resources.
CSIDL_SYSTEMThe Windows System folder. A typical path is C:\Windows\System32.
CSIDL_WINDOWSThe Windows directory or system root. This corresponds to the %WINDIR% or %SYSTEMROOT% environment variables. A typical path is C:\Windows.
DEFAULTUSERPROFILERefers to the value in HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\ProfileList \[DefaultUserProfile\].
PROFILESFOLDERRefers to the value in HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\ProfileList \[ProfilesDirectory\].
PROGRAMFILESSame as CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES.
PROGRAMFILES(X86)Refers to the C:\\Program Files (x86) folder on 64-bit systems.
SYSTEMRefers to %WINDIR%\\system32.
SYSTEM16Refers to %WINDIR%\\system.
SYSTEM32Refers to %WINDIR%\\system32.
SYSTEMPROFILERefers to the value in HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\ProfileList\\S-1-5-18 \[ProfileImagePath\].
SYSTEMROOTRefers to the root of the system drive.
WINDIRRefers 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.

See Also

Concepts

USMT 4.0 XML Reference

VariableExplanation
APPDATASame as CSIDL\APPDATA.
CSIDL_ADMINTOOLSThe 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_ALTSTARTUPThe file-system directory that corresponds to the user's non-localized Startup program group.
CSIDL_APPDATAThe 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_BITBUCKETThe virtual folder that contains the objects in the user's Recycle Bin.
CSIDL_CDBURN_AREAThe 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_CONNECTIONSThe virtual folder representing Network Connections that contains network and dial-up connections.
CSIDL_CONTACTSOn computers running Windows Vista or Windows 7, this refers to the Contacts folder in %CSIDL_PROFILE%.
CSIDL_CONTROLSThe virtual folder that contains icons for the Control Panel items.
CSIDL_COOKIESThe 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_DESKTOPThe virtual folder representing the Windows desktop.
CSIDL_DESKTOPDIRECTORYThe 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_DRIVESThe 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_FAVORITESThe 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_HISTORYThe file-system directory that serves as a common repository for Internet history items.
CSIDL_INTERNETA virtual folder for the Internet Explorer icon on desktop.
CSIDL_INTERNET_CACHEThe 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_APPDATAThe 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_MYDOCUMENTSThe 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_MYMUSICThe 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_MYPICTURESThe 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_MYVIDEOThe 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_NETHOODA 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_NETWORKA 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_PLAYLISTSFor computers running Windows Vista or Windows 7, the virtual folder used to store play albums, typically C:\Users\username\My Music\Playlists.
CSIDL_PRINTERSThe virtual folder that contains installed printers.
CSIDL_PRINTHOODThe 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_PROFILEThe 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_PROGRAMSThe 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_RECENTThe 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_SENDTOThe 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_STARTMENUThe 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_STARTUPThe 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_TEMPLATESThe 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.
HOMEPATHSame as the standard environment variable.
TEMPThe 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.
TMPThe 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.
USERPROFILESame as CSIDL_PROFILE.
USERSID

Represents the current user-account security identifier (SID). For example,


S-1-5-21-1714567821-1326601894-715345443-1026.