Where is the user data folder located? C users appdata roaming Skype - How to find the Application Data folder in different versions of Windows

Good day! Today we will continue the topic of transferring system folders (previous topics on transferring folders are available at the links:, or even all together, just transferring). Today we will try to transfer the contents of the AppData folder. But there is a small problem with this: if you try to move the appdata folder itself in the same way, you will not succeed, since there is no “Location” tab in the properties of this folder:

It is not known why, but Microsoft decided not to allow users to transfer the entire Appdata folder. But if you look at the properties of the Local, Roaming, LocalLow folders, you will see the coveted “Location” tab:

So we will simply move the contents of the Appdata folder. So, there are two options for this:

I. Transferring Appdata folders by making changes to the registry.

II. Transferring Appdata folders using Windows Explorer.

I recommend using the first option. It is also best to make these changes immediately after installing Windows, while the programs are not yet installed. Since not all programs can easily withstand moving folders and can be lost, for example, bookmarks in a browser. So let's begin.

I. Transferring Appdata folders by changing values ​​in the registry

1) Create an Appdata folder on another local drive and copy the contents of the current folder into it.

2) Open the Windows registry; to do this, press the key combination Win+R and in the window that opens, write regedit:

3) Go to the section we need:

The following will open before us:

4) In this window, change the values ​​of all parameters that refer to the Appdata folder. That is, as a result, all values ​​of the type “C:\Users\*user*\Appdata\...” should look like “D:\Appdata\...”, respectively indicating their path to the new Appdata folder. The result should look like this:

That's all, restart the computer and delete the old Appdata folder.

II. Transferring the Appdata folder using Windows Explorer

1) Create a folder Appdata in the place you need. In it we also need to create folders Roaming, Local, LocalLow:

2) Go to the current folder and right-click on the folder Roaming and select “Properties”:

3) In the window that opens, go to the “Location” tab and click the “Move” button.

The Windows operating system is a powerful tool for working with a computer, and even an experienced user has a lot to learn. For example, Windows Vista introduced a directory for the first time that few people knew about. The thing is that it was hidden from users in order to preserve important system information stored there. If you understand all the intricacies and secrets of Windows, you can save yourself a lot of time when working with the system.

The AppData folder and what you can do with it

One of the secret folders in Windows is AppData folder or Application Data. This folder is hidden because it is a system folder and various subfolders and files are stored in it. What does this folder store? It contains information created by installed programs. They hid it because, most likely, they thought that ordinary users would not be interested in the contents of this folder.

However, the developers did not take into account one nuance - if the system has not been reinstalled for a long time, and the user has been working with it for quite some time, then the size of the folder will grow and take up space on the hard drive. The situation will be even more problematic if you are using an SSD drive.

As I said above, the AppData folder is hidden, and by default, it doesn’t take much effort to display it. First, let's open My computer and on the panel at the top press the button "View", then we look "Options", go to the tab again "View" and where is it written "Hidden files and folders" and celebrate "Show hidden files...". Or, you can go the other way. To do this, go to "Control Panel", then we go to "Design", now open the window "Folder Options", and then follow the same principle as in the first method.

This method, described just above, will open not only the AppData folder, but also many other hidden folders.

AppData is located along the path C:\Users, and by the way, each user has their own path where this folder is located, so look for it in the directory with your username.

So, in this folder there are several more folders: Roaming, Local, LocalLow, they also store some system files.

LocalLow stores spooled data files that are created, for example, by Internet Explorer or some programs from Adobe.

Folder Local stores exactly those files that are created during the operation of programs. The data in this folder cannot be transferred to another computer. Therefore, if you decide to transfer already installed programs to another device, then I hasten to disappoint you, not all of them will work there.

Also, there is a Temp folder stored there, which stores temporary files of various programs; it can be deleted, since the files located there are not needed and only take up space on the hard drive.

When the system works for quite a long time, the folder begins to grow in volume, so in order to somehow clean it up, you don’t have to dig into it long and hard, but use a simpler method.

So, try writing the following phrase in the address bar of Explorer: shell:history and don't forget to click Enter. Thus, we will go to the folder where the Internet Explorer history is stored. If you write shell:cache, then we will find ourselves in the folder with the browser buffer. By entering a phrase shell:cookies, a folder with Cookies will open for us.

For a deeper study of the AppData folder, you can use the utility, which will quickly scan your hard drive and then display distributed files and folders on a kind of graph. If a group of files, or even one file, takes up a lot of space, you will understand this from the graph.

To properly clean not only the AppData folder, but also other garbage on your hard drive, you can use the program. That's all.

Folder "AppData" contains user information of various applications (history, settings, sessions, bookmarks, temporary files, etc.). Over time, it becomes clogged with various data that may no longer be needed, but only takes up disk space. In this case, it makes sense to clean out this directory. In addition, if, when reinstalling the operating system, the user wants to save the settings and data that he used in various programs earlier, then he needs to transfer the contents of this directory from the old system to the new one by copying it. But first you need to find where it is located. Let's find out how to do this on computers running Windows 7 operating system.

Name "AppData" stands for “Application Data”, that is, translated into Russian means “application data”. Actually, in Windows XP this directory had its full name, which in later versions was shortened to its current name. As mentioned above, this folder contains data that accumulates during the operation of application programs, games and other applications. There may be more than one directory with this name on your computer, but several. Each of them corresponds to a separate user account created. In the catalog "AppData" There are three subdirectories:

• "Local";
• "LocalLow";
• "Roaming".

Each of these subdirectories contains folders whose names are identical to the names of the corresponding applications. These directories should be cleaned to free up disk space.

Enable visibility of hidden folders

You should know that the directory "AppData» hidden by default. This is done to prevent inexperienced users from mistakenly deleting important data contained in it or its entirety. But in order to find this folder, we need to enable the visibility of hidden folders. Before moving on to detection methods "AppData", let's find out how to do this. There are several options for enabling the visibility of hidden folders and files. Those users who want to familiarize themselves with them can do so using a separate article on our website. Here we will consider only one option.

Showing hidden folders will be enabled.

Method 1: Search programs and files field

Now let's move directly to the ways in which you can move to the desired directory or find where it is located. If you need to go to "AppData" current user, then this can be done using the field "Find programs and files", which is located in the menu "Start".

Directly to the catalog "AppData" you can get there directly by entering an expression in the field "Find programs and files".

Method 2: Run Tool

A very similar algorithm for opening a directory "AppData" can be done using the system tool "Run". This method, like the previous one, is suitable for opening a folder for the account under which the user is currently working.

Similarly with the previous method, you can immediately get to the folder "AppData".

Method 3: Go through Explorer

How to find out the address and get into the folder "AppData", intended for the account in which the user is currently working, we figured it out. But what if you need to open a directory "AppData" for another profile? To do this, you need to make the transition directly through "Conductor" or enter the exact location address, if you already know it, in the address bar "Conductor". The problem is that for each individual user, depending on the system settings, the location of Windows and the names of the accounts, this path will be different. But the general pattern of the path to the directory where the desired folder is located will look like this:

(system_drive):\Users\(user_name)

There are several options to get into the folder "AppData" and find out its location in Windows 7. This can be done as a direct transition method using "Conductor", and by introducing command expressions into the fields of some system tools. It is important to know that there may be several folders with a similar name, in accordance with the names of the accounts that are created in the system. Therefore, you need to immediately understand which directory you want to go to.

Inexperienced users are highly discouraged from deleting anything from Windows system folders, because important files are stored there. Application data is a special section that is hidden from the PC owner, but some of the data in it only takes up space and does not serve an important function, so you need to know how to access this directory and clean it of “garbage”. Below are ways to analyze this folder, what can be deleted and how to do it.

What is stored in the Appdata folder

The Application Data directory is not viewable by default; it belongs to the system group and is contained in subdirectories called User. The hidden Appdata folder contains personal data of all users who are registered on this computer. It stores documentation created by the software from the PC, the developers made it hidden. ITS files should not be of interest to the average user. At least that's what the creators of Windows think.

In reality, the practice of using the system shows that over time a large amount of data accumulates and it takes up space on the hard drive. This is especially noticeable if you are using an SSD drive that does not have a lot of memory. In this case, some files will not be used at all. Data is stored in the following folders:

• Local;
• LocalLow;
• Roaming.

Windows records files of programs that are installed on the computer in AppData: cache, configuration documents, temporary files, application logs, saved sessions, etc. The software from its computer has a personal folder for storing data, this applies to antivirus, printer, and games. For example, browsers store profile data in AppData, which includes cookies, cache, extensions, and history of Internet pages viewed.

How to find Appdata on Windows

The folder is hidden from the user by default (even with administrator rights); this is done taking into account the fact that an ordinary user does not need to delete anything from this directory. Some programs do not support the function of importing and exporting settings, projects and other settings if you reinstall Windows. If you copy this folder and copy it after reinstalling the operating system, it will be easier to restore the programs to their previous state. To do this you need to know how to find AppData. This can be done in two ways:

• using the command line;
• change the content display and make hidden directories visible.

Location in the system

There is a directory path that will lead to AppData. To do this you need to do the following:

1. Open My Computer.
2. Go to drive C.
3. Find the "Users" or "Users" directory.
4. Click on the appropriate username.
5. This is where the treasured daddy is located.

There is another way that will help you quickly move to a directory without even having to make it visible. You can use the following instructions:

1. Click on the “Start” quick access item.
2. Find the "Run" function.
3. Write the following command %appdata% on the line.
4. Click Ok and you will be taken to the Roaming subcategory. Just go up one level and you will find yourself inside AppData.

How to make a hidden folder visible

You can get to the AppData directory using the standard path if you enable the display of invisible directories. This is a system setting that can be easily changed in Windows 10 using the following algorithm:

1. Open any folder in Explorer.
2. Find the View tab in the top menu.
3. In the additional menu on the right there will be a section called “Options”.
4. Click on it and click on “Change folder and search options.”
5. An additional window will open, go to the “View” tab.
6. Scroll down the list, here you need to activate the “Show hidden files, folders and drives” option.

If a different version of the operating system is installed (7 or 8), then you can change the settings using the following algorithm:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to the Appearance and Personalization menu.
3. Click on “Folder Options”.
4. Here, click on the “View” tab.
5. Scroll down the list of options and check the box next to “Show hidden files, folders and drives.”

System folder structure

When working with AppData, you must take into account that each user who has created an account on their computer has a separate folder. Making changes for user A does not apply to user B. When you go to the directory, you will see the three folders that were mentioned earlier:

• Local;
• LocalLow;
• Roaming.

Directory Local

This is the first directory that is located in AppData. It stores files and data that are of a local type and cannot be copied or transferred along with the user profile. For example, here you can find downloaded files that were not assigned a specific location or saved games. As a rule, it has the largest amount of space on the hard drive.

A directory called Microsoft is also stored here, which saves all activity of the Windows operating system. Local contains a directory with temporary files necessary to speed up the loading of programs and games created while working with them. The folder is called "Temp". The contents of the directory are constantly growing and over time begin to take up a lot of space. This is one of the options for information that can be safely deleted for the operating system.

Roaming folder

If necessary, a person can easily transfer files from this folder if the need arises. For example, you decide to reinstall the operating system. Copy the data to removable media, and after installation, simply copy Roaming into place. This will help keep your personal settings as they are. Information from Internet explorers and bookmarks saved by a person is also stored here.

Catalog LocalLow

This directory is similar to Local, but it collects information from the browser or system when the user is working in protected mode. The directory is not synchronized with other accounts on the computer.

Scanning a structure with WinDirStat

This is a free program that is used to analyze and view current statistics regarding the state of disk space (hard drive), how much space files or folders take up. The WinDirStat tool will also check AppData; if desired, you can use it to clear your hard drive of unnecessary directories, folders and files. The program displays a detailed graph and information about where and what documents are taking up space on your hard drive.

What to do if the Appdata folder takes up a lot of space

Over time, information accumulates, especially if a lot of time has passed since the last reinstallation of Windows. The system is not designed to automatically clear AppData, so the user can manually reduce its volume. The first option is to clear temporary files. If you wish, you can completely delete all the contents of the “Temp” directory, which does not contain important system data. Specialized programs, for example, Ccleaner, can also help with cleaning.

It is not necessary to clear AppData; you can simply move it from the system disk, which should always have some free space. This is especially true if you are using an SSD drive. Use the following instructions for these purposes:

1. On another drive, create a folder with the same name (on D), create the appropriate subfolders (LocalLow, Roaming, Local). Move the contents individually to the appropriate directories.
2. If a message appears that the file cannot be copied, then simply skip it. This indicates that the application is currently running and using this document.
3. Launch the Run function using the Win+R button combination. Type “regedit” in the line without quotes.
4. A Registry Editor window will open. You need to find a section called “HKEY_CURRENT_USER”, expand it and go to “Software”, then to “Microsoft”. Next, click on the “Windows” directory, then on “CurrentVersion”, go to “Explorer”. Here you will need the "Shell Folders" category.
5. Find through the search all the lines that contain “AppData”, change the original address to D:/AppData.
6. Restart your computer.

Is it possible to remove it completely?

If you followed the instructions described above (changed the location of AppData), then you need to delete it from drive C. In other cases, it will not be possible to erase it completely and should not be done. It stores data about the programs you work with, which will conflict when you try to remove them. If you erase the folder completely, Windows will continue to work, there will be no critical errors, but applications and programs will either start with standard settings or will not start at all.

Partial deletion of some directories is allowed, but the system does not always allow the operation. This is due to the fact that the application is currently running in active or background mode. As a rule, the Updater process is launched, which checks for updates for a specific application, downloads it and installs it. To delete the required file you need:

1. Press the key combination Ctrl+Alt+Del (win 10 supports the combination Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
2. Launch Task Manager and open the Processes tab.
3. Find the name of the process that matches the file name.
4. Right-click on the line and select “End Process”.
5. You will then be able to delete the folder from Appdata.

Built-in Windows 10 Disk Cleanup utility

In order not to change system settings or look for the function of showing hidden directories, use the standard operating system tool. Windows 10 can automatically clear temporary documents from the Temp folder. To do this you need to use the following instructions:

1. Right-click on the Start menu.
2. Click on the line “System”.
3. On the left, click on the line called “Storage”.
4. A list of partitions on your hard drive(s) will appear on the right. Click on the volume C shortcut.
5. The system will analyze and show how much space is occupied by different applications. Find the line called “Temporary files”, click on it.
6. A new dialog box will open with a list of document types from this directory.
7. Check the necessary boxes and click the “Delete files” button.

Manually deleting temporary files with the TEMP extension

Garbage data from software accumulates and “inflates” the volume of AppData. It is recommended to periodically clean out this directory to increase the amount of free space on the system disk. To get to Temp, it is not necessary to make AppData visible; you can use special commands through the browser line. You can perform the action as follows:

1. Launch Internet Explorer and write “shell:history” (without quotes) in the address bar. You will be redirected immediately to the folder with the history of the Internet Explorer browser (aka Edge in version 10 of Windows).
2. The “shell:cache” command will open the directory with the offline clipboard of Internet Explorer.
3. The "shell:cookies" command opens cookie data.
4. If you write “shell:sendto”, you will be able to add or remove shortcuts from the “Send” menu.

Using CCleaner

Removing items from Appdata to improve computer performance can be done using special software. The CCleaner program helps uninstall applications, cleans the registry of damaged and outdated files, and helps free up space on drive C. This will eliminate the need to manually check the contents of the directory. To carry out the procedure you need:

1. Download CCleaner. It is distributed free of charge, so you do not need to send any SMS to confirm the download.
2. Launch the utility and give it time to scan the system.
3. Go to the “Cleaning” section, where the directories for analysis will be displayed.
4. The program will check which files can be removed so as not to harm Windows. To do this, click on the “Analysis” button.
5. Information will appear on how many megabytes a particular folder occupies.
6. You can perform selective cleaning by checking the boxes next to the documents of interest.
7. The program will take a little time to remove “garbage” from the system disk, after which you can exit.

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