Windows Taskbar/StartMenu/Desktop folder Locations

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Verified Windows 10, 7, Windows Vista.

Taskbar Apps folder location

open PowerShell:

ii "~/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Internet Explorer/Quick Launch"

ii is alias of Invoke-Item

[see PowerShell Tutorial]

Start Menu Apps Folder Location

Start Menu app list is located at:

ii "C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/"

Desktop Folder Location

There are 2 folders that represents the Desktop. They are at:

ii ~/Desktop
ii C:/Users/Public/Desktop

And there's also a virtual directory at:

Desktop

The virtual desktop is shown when you press ❖ Window+d. You can also open it by typing “Desktop” in the address bar of a folder.

Any file shortcuts in ~/Desktop and C:/Users/Public/Desktop are shown in the virtual one, plus additions like Recycle Bin and Computer, Network, Internet Explorer.

Windows 10 virtual desktop 2021-11-26
Windows 10 virtual desktop 2021-11-26
Windows 10 user desktop folder 2021-11-26
Windows 10 user desktop folder 2021-11-26