• LouNeko@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    This is the “appdata” folder, this is where all the application’s data goes.

    So whats the “Programs” folder then?

    This is also where the application’s data and files go.

    But I thought thats the “Programs x86” folder.

    This is also where the application’s data and files go.

    Ok whats “Program Files” then?

    This is also where the application’s data and files go.

    So my config file is in either one if those 4?

    No thats in the “Documents” folder, obviously.

    Windows program data file structure has always been the wild west.

    • otacon239@feddit.de
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      8 months ago

      Don’t forget about the hidden ProgramData directory at the root of the file system. Ableton Live likes to install there for some ungodly reason.

      • 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.worksOP
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        8 months ago

        Always remember, C:\ProgramData is the eqivalent of /etc in Linux. If they don’t know where to put/hide shit, but needs admin priviliges to edit and users can only read, you put it in C:\ProgramData.

        • Hawke@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          I think programdata is closer to /usr/lib or maybe /var/lib.

          You almost never see config files in programdata.

          • 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.worksOP
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            8 months ago

            Config files that are meant to be used as sane defaults for new user accounts, yes. Config files that are meant to be manually edited, no.

            Besides, there are a lot of examples of configs that are saved in ProgramData, like, let’s say, registration info for proprietery programs (of course, this info needs to be shared amongst users, so your safest bet is ProgramData). Hidden by default, makes it perfect for storing everything the program is trying to hide from the user.

      • Morphit @feddit.uk
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        8 months ago

        Don’t forget that there’s a hidden system junction at C:\ProgramData\Application Data that points to C:\ProgramData. Because everyone loves loops in their filesystem. Of course C:\Users\All Users is also a junction to C:\ProgramData. This kills updatedb in WSL.

    • pivot_root@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Don’t forget %USERPROFILE%/AppData/Local/Programs, where some programs get installed to because the developer doesn’t want to make it a system wide installation.

      • pivot_root@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Game save data? No, my documents.
        Application config files? Again, my documents.
        Temporary documents I don’t care about keeping? Downloads, duh.
        My actual documents? Desktop.
        My desktop? Turned icons off because it was too messy.

        Just another day using Windows…

        • Sanctus@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          I have to say I love having no desktop. Something about watching my coworkers become dependent on it is neurotic.

          • pivot_root@lemmy.world
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            8 months ago

            Agreed. It’s much nicer to see your wallpaper than a mess of mismatched icons that may need to be occasionally clicked.

            • alexsup21
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              8 months ago

              Same here. I don’t need icons, just press Win and type in the program. I just gotta pray for Windows to not open Edge and search in Bing.

      • 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.worksOP
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        8 months ago

        Agreed, but the number of places where to search for the config is not as big as in Windows. And there is the fact that most software is open source, so you could always check where the application saves it’s data.