The idea has evolved over time, with new special folders being added in every version of Windows after their introduction in Windows 95. Windows uses the concept of special folders to present the contents of the storage devices connected to the computer in a fairly consistent way that frees the user from having to deal with absolute file paths, which can (and often do) change between operating system versions, and even individual installations. Overview įigure 1: Windows Explorer's folder view in Windows XP uses virtual folders as the root. In Windows 10 the user can switch to another display language and the names of the special folders will change. However, starting with Windows Vista, all versions of Windows use the same English named folders and only display different names in the Windows Explorer. For example, on German versions of Windows XP it is 'Startmenü'. In Windows Server 2003 and earlier, a folder like the 'Start Menu' had a different name on non-English versions of Windows. (The synonymous term shell folder is sometimes used instead.) Special folders make it possible for any application to ask the operating system where an appropriate location for certain kinds of files can be found independently of which version or user language of Windows is being used. On Microsoft Windows, a special folder is a folder that is presented to the user through an interface as an abstract concept instead of an absolute folder path. ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

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