---
title: Recognized environment variables
description: Learn how to use environment variables to identify folders that can be different on different computers.
ms.service: windows-client
ms.subservice: itpro-deploy
ms.reviewer: kevinmi,warrenw
manager: aaroncz
ms.author: frankroj
author: frankroj
ms.date: 01/09/2024
ms.topic: conceptual
ms.collection:
  - highpri
  - tier2
appliesto:
  - ✅ <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client" target="_blank">Windows 11</a>
  - ✅ <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client" target="_blank">Windows 10</a>
---

# Recognized environment variables

When the XML files `MigDocs.xml`, `MigApp.xml`, and `MigUser.xml` are used, the environment variables can be used to identify folders that can be different on different computers. Constant special item ID list (CSIDL) values provide a way to identify folders that applications use frequently but could have different names or locations on any given computer. For example, the **Documents** folder could be `C:\Users\<Username>\Documents` on one computer and `C:\Users\<Username>\My Documents` on another. The asterisk (\*) wildcard character can be used in the `MigUser.xml`, `MigApp.xml` and `MigDoc.xml` files. However, the asterisk (\*) wildcard character can't be used in the `Config.xml` file.

## Variables that are processed for the operating system and in the context of each user

These variables can be used within sections in the **.xml** files with `context=UserAndSystem`, `context=User`, and `context=System`.

|Variable|Explanation|
|--- |--- |
|*ALLUSERSAPPDATA*|Same as **CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA**.|
|*ALLUSERSPROFILE*|Refers to `%PROFILESFOLDER%\Public` or `%PROFILESFOLDER%\all users`.|
|*COMMONPROGRAMFILES*|Same as **CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON**.|
|*COMMONPROGRAMFILES*(X86)|Refers to the `C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files` folder on 64-bit systems.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_ADMINTOOLS*|Version 10.0. The file-system directory that contains administrative tools for all users of the computer.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_ALTSTARTUP*|The file-system directory that corresponds to the non-localized Startup program group for all users.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA*|The file-system directory that contains application data for all users. A typical path Windows is `C:\ProgramData`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_DESKTOPDIRECTORY*|The file-system directory that contains files and folders that appear on the desktop for all users. A typical path is `C:\Users\Public\Desktop`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_DOCUMENTS*|The file-system directory that contains documents that are common to all users. A typical path is `C:\Users\Public\Documents`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_FAVORITES*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for favorites common to all users. A typical path is C:\Users\Public\Favorites.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_MUSIC*|The file-system directory that serves as a repository for music files common to all users. A typical path is `C:\Users\Public\Music`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_PICTURES*|The file-system directory that serves as a repository for image files common to all users. A typical path is `C:\Users\Public\Pictures`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_PROGRAMS*|The file-system directory that contains the directories for the common program groups that appear on the **Start** menu for all users. A typical path is `C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_STARTMENU*|The file-system directory that contains the programs and folders that appear on the **Start** menu for all users. A typical path in Windows is `C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_STARTUP*|The file-system directory that contains the programs that appear in the Startup folder for all users. A typical path is `C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_TEMPLATES*|The file-system directory that contains the templates that are available to all users. A typical path is `C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates`.|
|*CSIDL_COMMON_VIDEO*|The file-system directory that serves as a repository for video files common to all users. A typical path is `C:\Users\Public\Videos`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_APPDATA*|Refers to the `Appdata` folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|C*SIDL_DEFAULT_LOCAL_APPDATA*|Refers to the local `Appdata` folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_COOKIES*|Refers to the Cookies folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_CONTACTS*|Refers to the Contacts folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_DESKTOP*|Refers to the Desktop folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_DOWNLOADS*|Refers to the Downloads folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_FAVORITES*|Refers to the Favorites folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_HISTORY*|Refers to the History folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_INTERNET_CACHE*|Refers to the Internet Cache folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_PERSONAL*|Refers to the Personal folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYDOCUMENTS*|Refers to the Documents folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYPICTURES*|Refers to the Pictures folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYMUSIC*|Refers to the Music folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_MYVIDEO*|Refers to the Videos folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_RECENT*|Refers to the Recent folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_SENDTO*|Refers to the Send To folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_STARTMENU*|Refers to the Start Menu folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_PROGRAMS*|Refers to the Programs folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_STARTUP*|Refers to the Startup folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_TEMPLATES*|Refers to the Templates folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_DEFAULT_QUICKLAUNCH*|Refers to the Quick Launch folder inside `%DEFAULTUSERPROFILE%`.|
|*CSIDL_FONTS*|A virtual folder containing fonts. A typical path is `C:\Windows\Fonts`.|
|*CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESX86*|The Program Files folder on 64-bit systems. A typical path is `C:\Program Files(86)`.|
|*CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMONX86*|A folder for components that are shared across applications on 64-bit systems. A typical path is `C:\Program Files(86)\Common`.|
|*CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES*|The Program Files folder. A typical path is `C:\Program Files`.|
|*CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON*|A folder for components that are shared across applications. A typical path is `C:\Program Files\Common`.|
|*CSIDL_RESOURCES*|The file-system directory that contains resource data. A typical path is `C:\Windows\Resources`.|
|*CSIDL_SYSTEM*|The Windows System folder. A typical path is `C:\Windows\System32`.|
|*CSIDL_WINDOWS*|The Windows directory or system root path. This value corresponds to the `%WINDIR%` or `%SYSTEMROOT%` environment variables. A typical path is `C:\Windows`.|
|*DEFAULTUSERPROFILE*|Refers to the value in `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList [DefaultUserProfile]`.|
|*PROFILESFOLDER*|Refers to the value in `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList [ProfilesDirectory]`.|
|*PROGRAMFILES*|Same as **CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES**.|
|*PROGRAMFILES(X86)*|Refers to the `C:\Program Files (x86)` folder on 64-bit systems.|
|*SYSTEM*|Refers to `%WINDIR%\system32`.|
|*SYSTEM16*|Refers to `%WINDIR%\system`.|
|*SYSTEM32*|Refers to `%WINDIR%\system32`.|
|*SYSTEMDRIVE*|The drive that holds the Windows folder. This value is a drive name and not a folder name (`C:` not `C:\`).|
|*SYSTEMPROFILE*|Refers to the value in `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\S-1-5-18 [ProfileImagePath]`.|
|*SYSTEMROOT*|Same as **WINDIR**.|
|*WINDIR*|Refers to the Windows folder located on the system drive.|

## Variables that are recognized only in the user context

These variables can be used in the **.xml** files within sections with `context=User` and `context=UserAndSystem`.

|Variable|Explanation|
|--- |--- |
|*APPDATA*|Same as **CSIDL_APPDATA**.|
|*CSIDL_ADMINTOOLS*|The file-system directory that is used to store administrative tools for an individual user. The Microsoft Management Console (MMC) saves customized consoles to this directory, which roams with the user profile.|
|*CSIDL_ALTSTARTUP*|The file-system directory that corresponds to the user's non-localized Startup program group.|
|*CSIDL_APPDATA*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for application-specific data. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming`.|
|*CSIDL_BITBUCKET*|The virtual folder that contains the objects in the user's Recycle Bin.|
|*CSIDL_CDBURN_AREA*|The file-system directory acting as a staging area for files waiting to be written to CD. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\MasteredBurning\Disc Burning`.|
|*CSIDL_CONNECTIONS*|The virtual folder representing Network Connections that contains network and dial-up connections.|
|*CSIDL_CONTACTS*|This value refers to the Contacts folder in **%CSIDL_PROFILE%**.|
|*CSIDL_CONTROLS*|The virtual folder that contains icons for the Control Panel items.|
|*CSIDL_COOKIES*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for Internet cookies. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies`.|
|*CSIDL_DESKTOP*|The virtual folder representing the Windows desktop.|
|*CSIDL_DESKTOPDIRECTORY*|The file-system directory used to physically store file objects on the desktop, which shouldn't be confused with the desktop folder itself. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\Desktop`.|
|*CSIDL_DRIVES*|The virtual folder representing **This PC** that contains everything on the local computer: storage devices, printers, and Control Panel. The folder could also contain mapped network drives.|
|*CSIDL_FAVORITES*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for the user's favorites. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\Favorites`.|
|*CSIDL_HISTORY*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for Internet history items.|
|*CSIDL_INTERNET*|A virtual folder for Internet Explorer.|
|*CSIDL_INTERNET_CACHE*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for temporary Internet files. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files`|
|*CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA*|The file-system directory that serves as a data repository for local, non-roaming applications. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local`.|
|*CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS*|The virtual folder representing the **Documents** folder.A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\Documents`.|
|*CSIDL_MYMUSIC*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for music files. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\Music`.|
|*CSIDL_MYPICTURES*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for image files. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\Pictures`.|
|*CSIDL_MYVIDEO*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for video files. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\Videos`.|
|*CSIDL_NETHOOD*|A file-system directory that contains the link objects that could exist in the **Network** virtual folder. It isn't the same as *CSIDL_NETWORK*, which represents the network namespace root. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts`.|
|*CSIDL_NETWORK*|A virtual folder representing the **Network** desktop item, the root of the network namespace hierarchy.|
|*CSIDL_PERSONAL*|The virtual folder representing the **\<User\>** desktop item. This value is equivalent to **CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS**. A typical path is `C:\User\<username>\Documents`.|
|*CSIDL_PLAYLISTS*|The virtual folder used to store play albums, typically `C:\Users\<username>\Music\Playlists`.|
|*CSIDL_PRINTERS*|The virtual folder that contains installed printers.|
|*CSIDL_PRINTHOOD*|The file-system directory that contains the link objects that can exist in the Printers virtual folder. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts`.|
|*CSIDL_PROFILE*|The user's profile folder. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>`.|
|*CSIDL_PROGRAMS*|The file-system directory that contains the user's program groups, which are themselves file-system directories. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs`.|
|*CSIDL_RECENT*|The file-system directory that contains shortcuts to the user's most recently used documents. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent`.|
|*CSIDL_SENDTO*|The file-system directory that contains **Send To** menu items. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo`.|
|*CSIDL_STARTMENU*|The file-system directory that contains **Start** menu items. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu`.|
|*CSIDL_STARTUP*|The file-system directory that corresponds to the user's Startup program group. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup`.|
|*CSIDL_TEMPLATES*|The file-system directory that serves as a common repository for document templates. A typical path is `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates`.|
|*HOMEPATH*|Same as the standard environment variable.|
|*TEMP*|The temporary folder on the computer. A typical path is `%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp`.|
|*TMP*|The temporary folder on the computer. A typical path is `%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp`.|
|*USERPROFILE*|Same as **CSIDL_PROFILE**.|
|*USERSID*|Represents the current user-account security identifier (SID). For example, `S-1-5-21-1714567821-1326601894-715345443-1026`.|

## Related articles

[USMT XML reference](usmt-xml-reference.md)