Microsoft Windows AppData
Microsoft Windows AppData
- What's the difference between AppData Application Data
- https://x.com/i/grok/share/foTxruUDcWCZtwsY0PmYEGPkJ
AppData→ a real folder.Application Data→ is old, it is a junction point (a kind of symlink) created by Windows for backward compatibility. It points toAppData\Roaming,
- What's the difference between
- AppData/Local
- AppData/LocalLow
- AppData/Roaming
AppData\Local→ per-user, non-roaming data (e.g., caches, temporary files)AppData\Roaming→ per-user data that roams with the user profile (settings, etc.)AppData\LocalLow→ for low-integrity processes (e.g., some browser plugins)
What is roaming
The data follows you when you log in to different computers in the same network/domain.
What "Roaming" Actually Does
If your computer is part of a Windows domain (common in companies, schools, or organizations) and your user account is a domain account, Windows can be configured with a Roaming User Profile.
When roaming is enabled:
- Certain folders (including AppData\Roaming) are saved on a network server instead of only on the local PC.
- Every time you log in to any computer on that network, Windows downloads your Roaming profile (settings, desktop files, application preferences, etc.).
- When you log out, your changes are uploaded back to the server.
What is low-integrity processes
- on Microsoft Windows, what is low-integrity processes
- https://x.com/i/grok/share/mnYl8Liq6kwQ3e4l6a6fynBui
“Low-integrity processes” (and the related AppData\LocalLow folder) are a security feature in Windows Vista and later called Integrity Levels or Mandatory Integrity Control (MIC).
Integrity Level Meaning Typical programs **High** Administrator / full privileges Programs you run as Administrator **Medium** Normal user privileges Most apps you run normally (Chrome, Word, games, etc.) **Low** Very restricted – can barely write anywhere Protected Mode Internet Explorer, Chrome/Edge sandboxed tabs, PDF readers in sandbox, some browser plugins