Apparently, most ordinary users of Windows-based computers do not have a clear idea about the Application Data directory. If some even know that such a folder is in documents local user and there is, they do not always imagine what is in it, why this directory is needed, and what actions can be performed with it. Sometimes, however, questions arise about deleting this directory, since it can swell to enormous sizes. Whether it is possible to perform such operations, and how safe it is for the operating system or for the user himself, we’ll see later.
What is the Application Data folder?
Let's start with the fact that such a directory was not always present on Windows systems. In its original form, its appearance could be noticed back in the XP modification, but with the release of the Vista version, this folder was renamed and received a more compact abbreviation in the name AppData. As the translation of the original name suggests, the Application Data directory is where data is stored installed applications. In most systems, this directory is hidden by default, so that the user does not accidentally delete any important data, without which some installed programs may not work correctly. We’ll look at what information is stored in the local user’s documents in more detail a little later, but for now a few words about how to find this directory.
Since the directory itself is hidden, to display it in Explorer you need to use the view menu and turn on showing hidden objects. Despite its location (exactly in the documents and settings section of each local user), this directory cannot be seen in the “Documents” folder. To access it, on the disk with operating system we need to find the Users directory, and only then select a local user, and then go to the directory we are interested in along the Documents and Settings/Application Data path.
Main directories and files stored in the directory
After entering this directory, you will immediately see three main subfolders: Local, Local Low and Roaming.
No other directories or separate files should not be in the parent directory. Therefore, you can immediately give users a little advice: if you observe foreign objects there, you can be sure that they belong to the category of viruses or some similar computer threats.
Roaming catalog data
But what kind of information is stored in these three directories? Let's start with the last one. The roaming folder is a place for storing user data that can be used by some programs that are Internet-oriented in their work, but with the condition that such applications can be used on other computers or mobile devices with the same registration.
For example, in this directory you can find almost all programs for Internet communication (history, cached data and user settings are stored in their folders), data from browsers installed on the system, as well as some other programs that require registration to work with.
Files in the Local folder
The Local directory in Application Data is responsible for storing some data and settings that are specific to local computer, for which synchronization or transfer to other devices is never performed.
By and large, if you did not use Internet access, the first and second directories would be “tied” to one user (local registration), and the data in them would not differ much. This division is simply made for convenience.
Information in the LocalLow directory
This directory in the Application Data directory looks equally interesting. Basically, it stores information and settings for those user programs that require operation in reduced integration mode with limited security parameters.
For ease of understanding, you can note, for example, the same protected mode or “incognito” mode in web browsers. However, some specific settings of Java components are also stored here. software from Adobe, etc.
Is it possible to delete data from the main directory?
Thus, based on the above, it becomes quite obvious that it is impossible to delete data from all three directories unnecessarily, since not only the programs using them may stop working, but the user himself may lose important settings related, for example, to registering in some that application or with the confidentiality of its data.
However, many have noted that the volume of application data (Applications Data) in Windows can increase significantly and over time reach almost monstrous proportions. How to deal with this? In manual mode, you can only delete those objects that could remain from programs removed using standard Windows uninstallers, which you are absolutely sure are unnecessary.
But to get rid of such garbage more safely, it is better to use at least regular disk cleanup or use special optimizer utilities.
Along the way, you can give one more piece of advice for the future: if you don’t want to clean the system yourself, it’s better to use special programs like iObit Uninstaller, which not only automatically remove all major and residual components programs, including files, folders and registry entries, but can also find all kinds of computer junk after they are uninstalled incorrectly.
How can I move all files from the system location (C:/Documents and Settings/Application Data) to another location?
Finally, let's move on to the most pressing issue that interests the vast majority of users. Let's assume that the folder has really swelled to incredible sizes, but the data of installed applications is extremely necessary for the user, but there is a lot of space in the logical partition. Is it possible to painlessly move the described directories to another location?
Yes, you can! But you need to perform a few simple steps. Since application performance monitoring (Application Data Monitoring) using the data stored here is partially carried out precisely based on information from these directories, simply copying or moving will not give results. But there is a way out. Simply create a new Application Data (or AppData, depending on the modification of the installed operating system) directory in the logical partition and copy all three subfolders to the new location.
After that, go to the registry editor (regedit), find the Shell Folders section in the HKCU branch, as shown in the image above, and change the file paths for all programs by specifying a new directory. After this, you can reboot the system and delete the original directory without any problems.
Note: when performing such operations, pay special attention to the fact that when transferring data they will be necessary for each registered user, since in the documents and settings section the main AppData directory is created automatically for any account.
Despite the fact that the AppData folder is called the system folder, access to it is sometimes simply necessary ordinary user personal computer. The fact is that this section stores a lot of information about installed games, applications, programs. Sometimes you need to delete files that remain from unnecessary utilities, and sometimes you need to configure a game inside this folder. In this article, you will learn how to find AppData, access it, and most importantly, make it visible, along with non-system folders.
Where is the AppData folder?
By default, this folder can be found using the instructions:
- Go to local Disk C in the “My Computer” section;
- Next, find the “Users” or “Users” folder in the English version;
- Click on the directory with your account name, it is important not to go to “General” or “Guest”;
- Select the AppData folder.
This is the fastest and easiest way to navigate to this system folder. However, this only works if you are configured to show hidden system folders. Other times you simply won't see it.
To navigate to this directory, you must decide for yourself whether you will customize the display system files, or simply go to AppData through the “Run” task line. The first option is suitable for those who will need the AppData folder often, and the second is for one-time use, since entering a task often will be inconvenient for you.
How to access the AppData folder through the shortcut bar.
If you need to go to this directory a couple of times, and you are not ready to spend a lot of time setting up displays of system files for of this action, then perform the following algorithm:
- Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard at the same time, or on the Russian keyboard Win + k. There is no difference.
- You will see the line quick access“Run” on your screen.
- Enter the query “%appdata%” without quotes into the empty field. Click on the “Ok” button.
- The desired directory will immediately open in front of you. In this way, you can easily access any folder on your computer, knowing only its name.
How to customize the display of the AppData folder
To always see the system folder you need, just turn on its display. Please note that after completing of this algorithm, you will see absolutely everything system folders your computer, for some users this will be a plus, for others it will be an unnecessary clutter of directories.
- Go to the Control Panel via Start in File Explorer on your desktop.
- In the window that appears, select the “Design and Personalization” section. If your icons are displayed completely differently, then find the “View” field at the top right and select the “Category” view option.
- Next, go to the “Folder Options” subsection.
- A small window with settings will appear in front of you; in it, go to the “View” tab.
- Scroll to the very end and find the “Hidden files and folders” item. It has two sub-items, select “Show hidden files, folders and drives” by checking the box next to it. Click “Ok” to complete the setup.
- Now follow the path indicated in the first step of this article. You will see the AppData folder you are looking for, it will be somewhat dimmer than the others, since it is a system one.
Now you can use the AppData directory, change it and delete files you don’t need.
Watch this short video if your system is Windows 8:
Then, when performing the actions described there, you might notice an interesting AppData folder. That’s what this article will be about, namely what kind of folder it is, how to find it, how to delete it (is it even possible?) and how to transfer it.
AppData folder (In Windows XP it is called Application Data) - what is it?
This folder contains all data from installed programs and games. In it they store settings, bookmarks, history, saves, etc. "necessary rubbish." Naturally, over time, the size of this folder increases, because... There are more installed programs, and when uninstalled, not all of them clean up their “tails”.
Where is and how to find the appdata folder?
This folder is on the way (disk_with_system):\Users\(user) .
I have it on the way C:\Users\1
Or you can paste %USERPROFILE%\AppData into the address bar of Explorer
This folder is hidden, so you need to know or use a file manager.
Is it possible and how to delete the appdata folder?
Based on the above, I think there is no need to explain that if it is deleted, all your saves, settings, parameters, etc. in games and programs will be deleted.
And the system will not allow you to completely delete the entire folder, because... some processes already “occupy” it when the system is running and even if no programs or games are running.
Therefore, if you delete it, you will only bring yourself a lot of trouble.
How to move the appdata folder
But this is a more interesting question.
Why do you need to move the folder at all? Yes, to make room!
You can try to transfer it using the method described in the article, but it will not work because this folder does not have a tab Location V Properties.
Therefore, you need to transfer all the folders inside (namely Local, LocalLow And Roaming) one by one, having previously created a folder AppData and subfolders Local, LocalLow And Roaming on another drive.
Happened? But it’s unlikely. Because the system will not allow you to transfer some files that are already occupied by processes (for example, running or).
Then you can try transferring via .
On the disk where you want to transfer, create the Appdata folder and the Local, LocalLow and Roaming subfolders in it. Next, copy the contents of the system folders into them.
Then we go to the thread
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
and let's see what's there:
Why did I highlight this? Yes, because you will need to manually change the path.
Those. if you see " C:\Users\(user)\Appdata\…", then replace it with "D:\Appdata\… ".
I hope I explained it clearly.
If you decide to make such a move, then think carefully and review the instructions, so that you don’t blame me later for something not working for you.
By the way, it is advisable to perform such manipulations with movement at the very beginning, when you have just installed Windows and there is practically no installed software.
That's all. Now you know what the AppData folder is and how to find it, what it is, how to delete and move it.
– Igor (Administrator)As part of this note, I will tell you how to find the AppData folder in Windows 7, as well as what it is intended for.
The Windows operating system has many hidden directories where all kinds of data are stored. Therefore, it is not surprising that sometimes it is very difficult to find what you need among them, especially for users who are just starting to master the computer. One of these directories is AppData, but first things first.
What is the AppData directory for?
The AppData directory is created for each user of the Windows 7 operating system (that is, there can be many of them) and is hidden by default. It is designed to store settings and data of installed programs on your computer. Accordingly, first of all, you need to clarify the directory of which user you need. And only after that, do anything.
The directory itself is usually located along the path: C:\Users\%UserName%\AppData\, where %UserName% is a specific user.
Please note that AppData cannot be deleted, otherwise it may lead to errors in Windows or installed programs. You can only delete individual subdirectories of some programs, and then only on the condition that you know what this or that directory is for.
Location of the AppData directory in Windows 7
There are several methods to find the location and quickly open the AppData directory in Windows 7.
Open AppData through the "Run" window to current user:
1. Press the key combination " Windows button+R".
2. In the window that opens, enter %AppData% or %USERPROFILE%\AppData (together with the %) symbols. It is worth noting that in the first case, it will not be the directory itself that will open, but its Roaming subdirectory, so you will need to go up one level.
Note: These commands can also be entered into the search bar of the Start menu and immediately press Enter without waiting for search results.
Open the AppData folder for any user using Windows Explorer:
1. First you need to open hidden folders in Windows, since AppData has the corresponding attribute.
2. Then open Windows Explorer and go to the drive where the system is installed. Typically, this is the "C:" drive.
3. Go to the "Users" or "Users" directory (depending on Windows versions, the name can be one or the other).
4. Find the folder with the name of your or the user you need. And also go to it.
5. Open the hidden AppData directory.
As you can see, finding and opening the AppData directory is quite easy. If you know more methods, feel free to share them in the comments.
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 retain the settings and data that he used in various programs earlier, then you need to transfer the contents of this directory from old system to a 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 with an operating system Windows system 7.
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, the specified folder contains data that accumulates during operation 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 turn on visibility 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 address location, 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.
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