%appdata% and %programdata%

chmillman · Feb 13, 2022

I often use these at the search bar to get to these hidden folders - the programs I work with store a number of things in either of these two places, notably user interface settings files, templates and the like.

I have made my own shortcuts for my machines, but sometimes I am at a client's place and they don't have these shortcuts setup, so I use the %...% trick.

Checking this morning on Windows 11, typing %appdata% + Enter in the search box works fine to open the AppData folder. However if I type %programdata%, it shows me that there is a ProgramData folder in the search results but hitting Enter or clicking on the search result does not open the folder. Seems odd to me. Anyone else experiencing this? W11 bug or something on my end?

glasskuter · Feb 13, 2022

Using the search box %appdata% opens for me but %programdata% does not. It gave me an option to "open" from the search results but it wouldn't open from there either. However, I can reach both using RUN.

unifex · Feb 13, 2022

I'm not sure this really answers your questions, but I find clicking on the Navigation pane in Explorer easier then typing , so if I need to go to ProgramData, I just go there in two clicks as shown

cereberus · Feb 13, 2022

unifex said:
I'm not sure this really answers your questions, but I find clicking on the Navigation pane in Explorer easier then typing , so if I need to go to ProgramData, I just go there in two clicks as shown

View attachment 21701

This is normally a hidden folder. so you also have to check option to view hidden folders.

unifex · Feb 13, 2022

cereberus said:
This is normally a hidden folder. so you also have to check option to view hidden folders.

Yes, I always do it when the system is installed.

Edwin · Feb 13, 2022

You gotta put it in a Run box.
And, if the OP is at a client who's not signed on as Admin, they still might not get there.

Bree · Feb 13, 2022

chmillman said:
I often use these at the search bar to get to these hidden folders ... sometimes I am at a client's place and they don't have these shortcuts setup, so I use the %...% trick.

...typing %appdata% + Enter in the search box works fine to open the AppData folder. However if I type %programdata%, it shows me that there is a ProgramData folder in the search results but hitting Enter or clicking on the search result does not open the folder. Seems odd to me. Anyone else experiencing this? W11 bug or something on my end?

I never use Search to find either of those. I always open File Explorer, click in the address box at the top, then type the environment variable name there. Hit the Enter key and you go to the folder. This works for any of them.

On testing using Search in Win11 I find the same as you, Appdata works, Programdata doesn't. Testing with Search in Win10 I find that both work.

The-Hive · Feb 13, 2022

I had to unhide it and all it's sub folders in Program Data properties after using show all folders in explorer view settings, that fixed it for me

%appdata% and %programdata%

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