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[-] LouNeko@lemmy.world 102 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

This is the "appdata" folder, this is where all the application's data goes.

So whats the "Programs" folder then?

This is also where the application's data and files go.

But I thought thats the "Programs x86" folder.

This is also where the application's data and files go.

Ok whats "Program Files" then?

This is also where the application's data and files go.

So my config file is in either one if those 4?

No thats in the "Documents" folder, obviously.

Windows program data file structure has always been the wild west.

[-] otacon239@feddit.de 63 points 8 months ago

Don’t forget about the hidden ProgramData directory at the root of the file system. Ableton Live likes to install there for some ungodly reason.

[-] LouNeko@lemmy.world 33 points 8 months ago

Selects separate drive for install

Adobe: "Imma, pretend I didn't see that"

[-] 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.works 13 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Always remember, C:\ProgramData is the eqivalent of /etc in Linux. If they don't know where to put/hide shit, but needs admin priviliges to edit and users can only read, you put it in C:\ProgramData.

[-] Hawke@lemmy.world 13 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I think programdata is closer to /usr/lib or maybe /var/lib.

You almost never see config files in programdata.

[-] 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.works 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Config files that are meant to be used as sane defaults for new user accounts, yes. Config files that are meant to be manually edited, no.

Besides, there are a lot of examples of configs that are saved in ProgramData, like, let's say, registration info for proprietery programs (of course, this info needs to be shared amongst users, so your safest bet is ProgramData). Hidden by default, makes it perfect for storing everything the program is trying to hide from the user.

[-] Morphit@feddit.uk 4 points 8 months ago

Don't forget that there's a hidden system junction at C:\ProgramData\Application Data that points to C:\ProgramData. Because everyone loves loops in their filesystem. Of course C:\Users\All Users is also a junction to C:\ProgramData. This kills updatedb in WSL.

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 19 points 8 months ago

Don't forget %USERPROFILE%/AppData/Local/Programs, where some programs get installed to because the developer doesn't want to make it a system wide installation.

[-] 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.works 11 points 8 months ago

Yeah, the Documents config file/dir pisses me off the most as well!

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 9 points 8 months ago

Game save data? No, my documents.
Application config files? Again, my documents.
Temporary documents I don't care about keeping? Downloads, duh.
My actual documents? Desktop.
My desktop? Turned icons off because it was too messy.

Just another day using Windows...

[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

I have to say I love having no desktop. Something about watching my coworkers become dependent on it is neurotic.

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Agreed. It's much nicer to see your wallpaper than a mess of mismatched icons that may need to be occasionally clicked.

[-] alexsup21@szmer.info 2 points 8 months ago

Same here. I don't need icons, just press Win and type in the program. I just gotta pray for Windows to not open Edge and search in Bing.

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

If you're using Windows, you can get a much better experience by ditching the Microsoft start menu entirely.

Everything Search to index files and Flow Launcher for searching files and applications. You can even make it open when you press the windows key.

Or if you still want a start menu, Start11 is worth paying for to get away from Microsoft's ad-ridden crapware they call the start menu. It even supports using Everything for showing file results.

[-] alexsup21@szmer.info 1 points 8 months ago

Flow Launcher seems pretty cool. I'll try it out. Thanks!

[-] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 8 months ago

System wide config for an application? Lets put that under C:\users*?????

And Linux isn't? There's definitely not a central location either.

[-] 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.works 1 points 8 months ago

Agreed, but the number of places where to search for the config is not as big as in Windows. And there is the fact that most software is open source, so you could always check where the application saves it's data.

this post was submitted on 20 Apr 2024
563 points (90.9% liked)

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