Shell Commands in Windows 8

List of Windows 8 and 8.1 Shell Commands

information   Information
A shell command can be typed in the Run (Windows+R) dialog, search, File Explorer address bar, and Internet Explorer address bar to open a Windows shell folder.

This tutorial will show you a list of shell commands that can be used to easily open directly to specific folders in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

The shell commands in red listed in the table below are new to Windows 8.

Note   Note
You can find the shell command listed in the Name string value data for each CLSID (GUID) key number at the registry location below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions

Tip   Tip
How to Use the Shell Commands in Windows 8 and 8.1

This will show the various ways that you can use either the command of shell commands listed in the table below for the different example locations below.

  • shell:command
  • explorer shell:command



Shell Command

Path of Folder it Opens

shell:AccountPictures

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures

shell:AddNewProgramsFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Get Programs

shell:Administrative Tools

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

shell:AppData

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming

shell:AppsFolder

Applications

shell:Application Shortcuts

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application Shortcuts

shell:AppUpdatesFolder

Installed Updates

shell:Cache

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

shell:Camera Roll (8.1 only)

C:\Users\(user-name)\Pictures\Camera Roll

shell:CD Burning

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn

shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features

shell:Common Administrative Tools

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

shell:Common AppData

C:\ProgramData

shell:Common Desktop

C:\Users\Public\Desktop

shell:Common Documents

C:\Users\Public\Documents

shell:CommonDownloads

C:\Users\Public\Downloads

shell:CommonMusic

C:\Users\Public\Music

shell:CommonPictures

C:\Users\Public\Pictures

shell:Common Programs

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

shell:CommonRingtones

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones

shell:Common Start Menu

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

shell:Common Startup

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

shell:Common Templates

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

shell:CommonVideo

C:\Users\Public\Videos

shell:ConflictFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center\Conflicts

shell:ConnectionsFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network Connections

shell:Contacts

C:\Users\(user-name)\Contacts

shell:ControlPanelFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items

shell:Cookies

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies

shell:Cookies\Low

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies\Low

shell:CredentialManager

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials

shell:CryptoKeys

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto

shell:desktop

Your desktop folder

shell:device Metadata Store

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceMetadataStore

shell:documentsLibrary

Libraries\Documents

shell:downloads

C:\Users\(user-name)\Downloads

shell:dpapiKeys

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Protect

shell:Favorites

C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites

shell:Fonts

C:\Windows\Fonts

shell:Gadgets

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets

shell:Games

Games

shell:GameTasks

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer

shell:History

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History

shell:HomeGroupCurrentUserFolder

Homegroup folder of current user

shell:HomeGroupFolder

Homegroup

shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\ImplicitAppShortcuts

shell:InternetFolder

Internet Explorer

shell:Libraries

Libraries

shell:Links

C:\Users\(user-name)\Links

shell:Local AppData

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local

shell:LocalAppDataLow

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\LocalLow

shell:MusicLibrary

Libraries\Music

shell:MyComputerFolder

Computer (Windows 8) or This PC (Windows 8.1)

shell:My Music

C:\Users\(user-name)\Music

shell:My Pictures

C:\Users\(user-name)\Pictures

shell:My Video

C:\Users\(user-name)\Videos

shell:NetHood

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts

shell:NetworkPlacesFolder

Network

shell:personal

C:\Users\(user-name)\Documents

shell:picturesLibrary

Libraries\Pictures

shell:printersFolder

All Control Panel Items\Printers

shell:printHood

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts

shell:profile

C:\Users\(user-name)

shell:programFiles

C:\Program Files

shell:programFilesCommon

C:\Program Files\Common Files

shell:programFilesCommonX64

C:\Program Files\Common Files (64-bit Windows only)

shell:programFilesCommonX86

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files (64-bit Windows only)

shell:programFilesX86

C:\Program Files (x86) (64-bit Windows only)

shell:programFilesX64

C:\Program Files (64-bit Windows only)

shell:programs

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

shell:public

C:\Public

shell:publicAccountPictures

C:\Users\Public\AccountPictures

shell:publicGameTasks

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer

shell:publicLibraries

C:\Users\Public\Libraries

shell:Quick Launch

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

shell:Recent

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

shell:RecordedTVLibrary

Libraries\Recorded TV

shell:RecycleBinFolder

Recycle Bin

shell:ResourceDir

C:\Windows\Resources

shell:Ringtones

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones

shell:Roamed Tile Images

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\RoamedTileImages

shell:Roaming Tiles

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\RoamingTiles

shell:SavedGames

C:\Users\(user-name)\Saved Games

shell:Screenshots (8.1 only)

C:\Users\(user-name)\Pictures\Screenshots

shell:Searches

C:\Users\(user-name)\Searches

shell:SearchHomeFolder

search-ms:

shell:SendTo

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo

shell:SkyDrive (8.1 only)

SkyDrive shell folder

shell:SkyDriveCameraRoll (8.1 only)

C:\Users\(user-name)\SkyDrive\Pictures\Camera Roll

shell:SkyDriveDocuments (8.1 only)

C:\Users\(user-name)\SkyDrive\Documents

shell:SkyDrivePictures (8.1 only)

C:\Users\(user-name)\SkyDrive\Pictures

shell:Start Menu

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

shell:Startup

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

shell:SyncCenterFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center

shell:SyncResultsFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center\Sync Results

shell:SyncSetupFolder

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center\Sync Setup

shell:System

C:\Windows\System32

shell:SystemX86

C:\Windows\SysWOW64

shell:SystemCertificates

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SystemCertificates

shell:Templates

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates

shell:ThisPCDesktopFolder (8.1 only)

Desktop

shell:User Pinned

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned

shell:UserProfiles

C:\Users

shell:UsersFilesFolder

C:\Users\(user-name)

shell:UsersFilesFolder\Desktop

C:\Users\(user-name)\Desktop

shell:UsersLibrariesFolder

Libraries

shell:VideosLibrary

Libraries\Videos

shell:Windows

C:\Windows



That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

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Last edited:
Thanks a lot

:cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 CP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(TM) II X6 1055T 2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    GA-880M-UD2H
    Memory
    16GB Corsair DDR 3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce 9800 GT
You're most welcome myluck, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Many if not most of those don't work in Windows 8 RTM (I just went through the list and tested about 10, none of which worked). I assume those were good for Developer/Consumer previews.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8
Which ones?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/sec (O2)
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Avast! 8.0.1497 MalwareBytes 1.75.0.1300
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)
Here are some that were tested and did not work:

Administrative Tools
AppData
Common Desktop
Common Video
ControlPanelFolder
Libraries
PrintersFolder
Roaming Tiles

However, the following all seem to work (at least the ones I tested): http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13591-clsid-key-guid-shortcuts-list-windows-8-a.html

Beems,

Some of them require using either shell: or explorer shell: from the yellow TIP box at the top in tutorial. :)

For example, this works with those you posted.

explorer shell:Administrative Tools
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
They all seem to work for me. However, Common Video opens up My Documents
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/sec (O2)
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Avast! 8.0.1497 MalwareBytes 1.75.0.1300
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)
They all seem to work for me. However, Common Video opens up My Documents

Hey Guy,

That should be one word instead. :p

shell:CommonVideo

or

explorer shell:CommonVideo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks, Shawn. I just copied them as he had written them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/sec (O2)
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Avast! 8.0.1497 MalwareBytes 1.75.0.1300
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
This is the shell for all control panel items: shell:ControlPanelFolder

How do I run the .dll command? thanks...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
You're welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I am looking for a CLSID or GUID for the special folder "Recent Items", but fail to find one anywhere in any of your superb lists on EightForums or on SevenForums. I can see the path in File Explorer which is:
C:\Users\Alex\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent.

Goal is, with CLSID to create a mouse-sensitive cascading folder entry that behaves like in the classic Start Menus, but in Windows 8!
by making a new folder (eg. on Desktop) with name: Recent Items.{CLSID}.
This works like a dream for:
"Recent Places.{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99}" as the new folder name, and for others like
"Network.{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}".
They can be attached to the Taskbar, and even appear in File Explorer's addressbar-drop-down paths. Brilliant for productivity-gains.
If this works, the classic single-access to "My Documents" (including other recent items) could be resurrected in Windows 8!

Searching my Windows 8.1 registry for "Recent" for CLSID of Windows special folders, I find here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\
CLSID {AE50C081-EBD2-438A-8655-8A092E34987A} for the correct "Recent" folder and path, but creating a new folder name for:
"Recent Items.{AE50C081-EBD2-438A-8655-8A092E34987A}"
or any variant in Run does not work.

Any ideas?

PS
Thanks for the great info, BTW.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 upgrade from Windows 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 23, model 23-b010ez
    Browser
    Google Chrome
SwahiliWizz take a look here: KNOWNFOLDERID (Windows)

FOLDERID_Recent

GUID{AE50C081-EBD2-438A-8655-8A092E34987A}
Display Name Recent Items

Folder TypePERUSER

Default Path%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
CSIDL Equivalent CSIDL_RECENT
Legacy Display Name My Recent Documents

Legacy Default Path
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
If you want the cascading view, that's a "Toolbar."
You don't need to create a folder or a shortcut, or worry about the CLSID.
Just right-click the Taskbar, select "Toolbars > New Toolbar" and navigate to AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows,
then click once on the "Recent" folder and click "Select Folder."
If you don't see AppData, set File Explorer to show "hidden folders."
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 23-D030
Thanks for feedback, all ! Reply in order:
rdwray, It is impossible on my Win81 system to make a New Folder on the Desktop, naming it "New Recent Items.{AE50C081-EBD2-438A-8655-8A092E34987A}", the system rejects it. You missed my question.
Brink, sorry, you can't put required path-characters in "
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent into the New Folder name with just mentioned syntax, for a cascading Desktop folder, only for the target of a New Shortcut.
Dragon Drop, I agree. Only I think I used to see that folder, but now, it is not visible when I "navigate" visually using the mouse to %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows. There is no "Recent" folder listed. I ticked on View, show "Hidden Items", I even tick off View, Advanced Settings, "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)", but the "Recent" folder is still hidden. :confused:
You can, however, navigate by entering "recent" or the path you quoted directly into the address bar, which takes you there.
:) This makes a mouse-click-Toolbar ">>" to the left of the Taskbar only for the Recent Items folder. It does not mouse-over cascade!

My aim, however, was to add an extra a mouse-over cascading "Recent Items" folder in the standard Windows containers (Dektop, This PC), like the standard {userfolder} already has for the Favorites/Favourites in the Navigation pane, slyly called the "Links" folder. As a Taskbar toolbar, the Desktop container has other cascading items, by default. Since "My Documents" no longer exists, and is now split onto pinned lists per programme, "Recent Items" and "Recent Places" are the only available MRU-lists, and are vital for productivity.

So, Dragon drop. How to create an extra cascading item for Recent Items in the Desktop or the This PCtoolbar listings, which mouse-over cascades, in addition to default, and already cascading entries?
PS. Copy-paste or drag-drop of the once-found "Recent Items" folder from address bar in "New Toolbar - Choose a folder" to the Desktop, creates a Shortcut, not a Folder File!
1. Why is my Recent Items folder in my userpath not visible in "New Toolbar - Choose a folder? (see attach1)
NB. Recent Items folder is visible as a normal File Explorer window item for the identical path.

2. How to create a cascading menu item for Recent Items in the Desktop toolbar on your Taskbar?2013-12-23  Favourites Favorites MetroUI Search_000618 New Toolbar - Choose a folder.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 upgrade from Windows 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 23, model 23-b010ez
    Browser
    Google Chrome
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