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The AppData folder stores application-specific settings, caches, profiles, temporary files, and other data for the currently signed-in Windows user. It is normally located at C:Users<username>AppData, but Windows hides it by default.
The quickest way to open the AppData root is to press Windows + R, enter %USERPROFILE%AppData, and press Enter. You can also open the two main subfolders directly with %APPDATA% and %LOCALAPPDATA%.
Where is AppData in Windows?
For the signed-in account, the conventional path is:
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C:UsersalexAppDataThe folder can be redirected in managed or customized Windows installations, so environment variables are safer than typing a user name into a hard-coded path.
| Location | Environment variable | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|
AppDataRoaming |
%APPDATA% |
User application data traditionally intended to roam with a profile |
AppDataLocal |
%LOCALAPPDATA% |
Application data that stays on the device |
AppDataLocalTemp |
%TEMP% or %TMP% |
Temporary files |
Microsoft documents %USERPROFILE% as the current user profile, normally C:Users<username>. Therefore, %USERPROFILE%AppData points to the AppData root, while %APPDATA% points specifically to AppDataRoaming.
Open AppData with the Run dialog
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
%USERPROFILE%AppData. - Press Enter or select OK.
File Explorer opens the root containing Local, LocalLow, and Roaming, where present.
To go straight to a particular location, use one of these commands in the same Run box:
%APPDATA%opens the current user’s AppDataRoaming folder.
%LOCALAPPDATA%opens AppDataLocal.
%TEMP%opens the current user’s temporary-files folder, normally AppDataLocalTemp.
Open AppData from Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt and run:
explorer.exe %USERPROFILE%AppDataFor the two common subfolders, run:
explorer.exe %APPDATA%
explorer.exe %LOCALAPPDATA%Windows expands the environment variable and explorer.exe opens the resulting directory in File Explorer. These commands avoid problems caused by spaces, unusual profile names, or a display name that differs from the actual profile-folder name.
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Navigate to AppData manually
- Open File Explorer.
- Select This PC in the navigation pane.
- Open the Windows installation drive, usually Local Disk (C:).
- Open Users.
- Open the folder for the signed-in Windows account.
- Open AppData.
On Windows 11, AppData may not appear because it is hidden. In File Explorer, select:
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These instructions also work on Windows 11 even though its File Explorer landing page is called Home rather than the former Quick access. That interface rename did not move or remove AppData.
What the AppData folders contain
Roaming
Roaming contains application data associated with the user profile and is traditionally represented by %APPDATA%. Applications may store preferences, profiles, extensions, or other account-related settings here.
“Roaming” does not mean that every file in this folder automatically follows you between computers. Whether data actually synchronizes depends on the application, Windows configuration, and account-management system.
Local
Local is intended for data tied to the particular device. It commonly contains caches, downloaded components, machine-specific settings, and larger application databases. The shortcut %LOCALAPPDATA% opens this folder.
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LocalLow
LocalLow is another per-user application-data location, traditionally used by applications running with lower integrity or restricted permissions. You may not need to edit it unless an application’s documentation specifically directs you there.
Temp
LocalTemp stores temporary data. The %TEMP% and %TMP% variables typically resolve to this location. Temporary files may be removed by Windows maintenance or applications, so do not treat them as permanent storage.
How to use AppData safely
AppData is useful when an application’s own settings do not expose a required option, when troubleshooting a damaged cache, or when following instructions from the application’s developer. Before changing anything, close the relevant application and make a backup of the file or folder.
- Identify the correct application folder. Names may use a publisher name, product name, abbreviation, or an internal identifier.
- Check whether the instructions mean Roaming or Local. Searching only one location can make it appear that the data is missing.
- Back up before deleting or editing. Copy the target folder to the desktop or another backup location.
- Change one thing at a time. This makes it possible to identify which file fixed—or caused—the problem.
- Restart the application. Many programs recreate missing cache files or settings after they start.
Deleting application data can reset preferences, sign you out, remove local profiles, or discard app-managed state. AppData should not be the sole storage location for irreplaceable documents, photographs, email, or other user-created content.
AppData is not the same as ProgramData
A common mistake is looking in the wrong data directory:
C:Users<username>AppDatais normally for the current user’s application data.C:ProgramDatais normally the all-users application-data directory.C:UsersPublicis a shared user-profile location, not the normal location for the signed-in user’s AppData.
If an application’s settings must apply to every user, its documentation may refer to ProgramData instead. Do not move files between these locations unless the application or its support instructions tell you to.
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Why an application’s data may not be easy to find
Not every Windows application stores data in a plainly named folder under the traditional AppData locations. Packaged applications can use system-managed, per-user data stores, and Microsoft recommends that applications generally avoid depending on the physical storage location of those stores.
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For a packaged app, use its own reset, repair, export, or backup options where available. Manually removing an unfamiliar directory can have the same effect as resetting the app.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 differences
The AppData paths and environment variables apply to both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The main difference relevant to this task is the File Explorer interface: Windows 11 uses View > Show > Hidden items, while Windows 10 uses Folder Options to show hidden files.
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. The AppData instructions still describe the folder’s location, but using an unsupported operating system carries security risks.
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Use environment variables in batch files and support commands instead of assuming the profile is stored under a particular name:
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echo %APPDATA%
echo %LOCALAPPDATA%For new Windows software, Microsoft recommends modern known-folder APIs rather than the older CSIDL values and SHGetFolderPath. Existing compatibility APIs remain supported, but new native code should use SHGetKnownFolderPath with Known Folder IDs. .NET applications can use Environment.GetFolderPath.
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FAQ
Why can’t I see the AppData folder?
AppData is hidden by default. In Windows 11, open File Explorer and select View > Show > Hidden items. In Windows 10, go to View > Options > Change folder and search options > View, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and select OK.
Does %APPDATA% open the AppData folder?
No. %APPDATA% opens AppDataRoaming. To open the AppData root, use %USERPROFILE%AppData. To open the Local folder, use %LOCALAPPDATA%.
Is AppData stored in C:UsersPublic?
Normally, no. A user’s AppData is under that user’s profile, usually C:Users
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Can I delete everything in AppData?
Do not delete the entire folder. It contains application settings, profiles, databases, and other state. Delete only a documented cache or temporary file, close the relevant application first, and make a backup before changing data.
Why does my account name not match the folder under C:Users?
The sign-in or display name can differ from the Windows profile-folder name. Use %USERPROFILE%, %APPDATA%, or %LOCALAPPDATA% instead of guessing the folder name.
What if AppData is not at C:UsersAppData?
Known folders can be redirected, including to another drive or a network location. Use the environment variables to resolve the current location rather than relying on a hard-coded path.
The Bottom Line
Use %USERPROFILE%AppData to open the AppData root, %APPDATA% for Roaming, and %LOCALAPPDATA% for Local. If you browse there manually, enable hidden items first. Treat the contents as application state: back up files before editing, and do not delete folders unless you know exactly what they contain.
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