Published by

**Brink** · 10 Sep 2007

How to Use the Vista Shell Command

Information

This will show you how to use the Shell command to enable you to quickly open a hard to find folder or object. A complete list of all Shell commands is included with a description of each.

Note

You can also use these shell commands from the Run command window.

Tip

When the item for the shell command opens the folder, you can then create a shortcut to it easily.

Here's How:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type one of the Shell commands (See table below) and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

Complete List of Shell Commands

Shell Command	Description
shell:AddNewProgramsFolder	Opens the Install a program from the network location.
shell:Administrative Tools	Opens the Administrative Tools section of the Control Panel.
shell:AppData	Opens the hidden location C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Roaming
shell:AppUpdatesFolder	Opens the Installed Windows Updates location in Program and Files.
shell:Cache	Opens Internet Explorer’s temporary internet files folder.
shell:CD Burning	Opens the location where files are stored temporarily before Windows Vista burns them.
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder	Opens Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
shell:Common Administrative Tools	Opens the Administrative Tools section of the Control Panel.
shell:Common AppData	Opens the hidden location C:\ProgramData
shell:Common Desktop	Opens the Public Users Desktop folder location. C:\Users\Public\Desktop
shell:Common Documents	Opens the Public Users Documents folder location. C:\Users\Public\Documents
shell:Common Programs	Opens the Start menu shortcuts location.
shell:Common Start Menu	Opens the location of the shortcut links in your Start Menu.
shell:Common Startup	Opens the location where shortcuts to programs that are set to start when Vista boots up are saved.
shell:Common Templates	Opens C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
shell:CommonDownloads	Opens the Public Users Downloads folder location. C:\Users\Public\Downloads
shell:CommonMusic	Opens the Public Users Music folder location. C:\Users\Public\Music
shell:CommonPictures	Opens the Public Users Pictures folder location. C:\Users\Public\Pictures
shell:CommonVideo	Opens the Public Users Video folder location. C:\Users\Public\Videos
shell:ConflictFolder	Opens the Sync Center Conflicts location.
shell:ConnectionsFolder	Quickly open Network Connections.
shell:Contacts	Opens your username's Contacts folder location.
shell:ControlPanelFolder	Opens the Control Panel.
shell:Cookies	Opens one of the folders where Internet Explorer saves cookies.
shell:Cookies\Low	Opens the other folder where Internet Explorer saves cookies.
shell:CredentialManager	Opens the hidden C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials
shell:CryptoKeys	Opens the hidden C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto
shell:CSCFolder	unknown
shell:default Gadgets	Opens the default Windows Sidebar Gadgets location.
shell:desktop	Opens your personal username's Desktop folder location.
shell:downloads	Opens your personal username's Downloads folder location.
shell:dpapiKeys	Opens the hidden C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Protect
shell:Favorites	Opens your personal username's Favorites folder location.
shell:Fonts	Opens Vista's Fonts folder location.
shell:Gadgets	Opens your user account's Windows Sidebar Gadgets that you saved location.
shell:Games	Opens the Games Explorer from the right Start menu Games button location.
shell:GameTasks	Opens the hidden C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer
shell:History	Opens Internet Explorer’s history of websites visited.
shell:InternetFolder	Opens the 32 bit Internet Explorer.
shell:Links	Opens your personal username's Links folder location.
shell:Local AppData	Opens the hidden C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Local
shell:LocalAppDataLow	Opens the hidden C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\LocalLow
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir	unknown
shell:MAPIFolder	unknown
shell:My Music	Opens your personal username's Music folder location.
shell:My Pictures	Opens your personal username's Pictures folder location.
shell:My Video	Opens your personal username's Video folder location.
shell:MyComputerFolder	Opens Computer window.
shell:NetHood	Opens Network Shortcuts folder location.
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder	Opens the Network Places location.
shell:OEM Links	Opens the links placed on your computer by your computer manufacturer location.
shell:Original Images	Opens Windows Photo Gallery Original Images folder location.
shell:Personal	Opens your personal username's Documents folder location.
shell:PhotoAlbums	Opens the Slide Show folder location for your username's Pictures folder.
shell:Playlists	Opens the Playlists folder location for your username's Music folder.
shell:PrintersFolder	Opens Printers in the Control Panel.
shell:PrintHood	Opens the Printer Shortcuts location.
shell:Profile	Opens your main username folder location.
shell:ProgramFiles	Opens the Program Files folder.
shell:ProgramFilesCommon	Opens the Common Files folder in Program Files.
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86	Opens the Common Files folder in Program Files (x86).
shell:ProgramFilesX86	Opens the Program Files (x86) folder.
shell:Programs	Opens the Start menu's Programs shortcuts location.
shell:Public	Opens the Public User folder.
shell:PublicGameTasks	Opens C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer
shell:Quick Launch	Opens the Quick Launch shortcuts folder location.
shell:Recent	Opens Recent Items location.
shell:RecycleBinFolder	Opens the Recycle Bin folder.
shell:ResourceDir	Opens Vista's Resources folder location.
shell:SampleMusic	Opens the Sample Music folder in the Public Users folder.
shell:SamplePictures	Opens the Sample Pictures folder in the Public Users folder.
shell:SamplePlaylists	Opens the Sample Playlist folder in the Public Users folder.
shell:SampleVideos	Opens the Sample Videos folder in the Public Users folder.
shell:SavedGames	Opens your personal username's Saved Games folder location.
shell:Searches	Opens your personal username's Searches folder location.
shell:SendTo	Opens the Context menu's SendTo folder location.
shell:Start Menu	Opens the current single user location of the shortcut links in your Start Menu.
shell:Startup	Opens the location where shortcuts to programs that are set to start when Vista boots up are saved.
shell:SyncCenterFolder	Opens Sync Center from the Control Panel.
shell:SyncResultsFolder	Opens the Sync Results for the Sync Center.
shell:SyncSetupFolder	Open the Setup new sync partnerships in the Sync Center.
shell:System	Opens the System32 folder location.
shell:SystemCertificates	Opens the SystemCertificates folder location.
shell:SystemX86	Opens the SysWowxx folder location.
shell:Templates	Opens the Templates folder location.
shell:TreePropertiesFolder	unknown
shell:UserProfiles	Opens the "C:\Users" location.
shell:UsersFilesFolder	Opens your main username folder location.
shell:Windows	Opens the "C:\Windows" location.

Related Tutorials

**garysgold** · 24 Mar 2008

Hi Brink,

Enjoyed the tutorial. Never knew about this. Thanks.
One cmd. that woked oddly was the 'shell:TreePropertiesFolder'.
The window pops up and in half a sec. it closes. Any ideas why that would happen.
I have read several of the tutorials. What a great resource. Thanks to all.

Gary

**Brink** · 24 Mar 2008

Gary,

When you right click on it at the top part of the Start menu and click Open folder location, it opens the user Desktop folder with Dektop highlighted in the folder tree.

Other than that, I have not found much use for it yet either.

Shawn

**Antje** · 24 Mar 2008

I give up. Where's the white line (Start Search) area? Should I access the search feature? (opens Explorer) But typing the Shell Command in the Search box in Explorer produces no results. Please advise.

**Brink** · 24 Mar 2008

Hi Antje,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

It is the white line with Start Search in it at the bottom of the Start menu in the screenshot at the top of this tutorial.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Antje** · 25 Mar 2008

And how do I get the curser in the white line in the screen shot in order to type or paste the shell command?

**garysgold** · 25 Mar 2008

Hi Antje,

You can click in the box, but there is no need. Just start typing. Should go there automatically.

Gary

**montsaroff** · 11 Aug 2008

FYI:
If you are using the classic taskbar, then you can use run instead of search.

**naihla** · 28 Dec 2009

Ok i realy started to dislike Vista, everytime something has to be change to get into it.
So you are telling us these nice commands. but i donwloaded a game, realy wanna play it. but cant be open on vista, says he need a windows shell commor. Great wonderfull. so im searching for the answer and come here. And well cant find the answer yet. first of all every command that i type in to teh search line, says cant find files, cant open of dont excist!

How can i open this rar program in vista? without having to do so much changes on my laptop?
My winrar program does not even open it, changed name of file everything but vista wont open it. so can somebody help me and be realy clear about it?

**Brink** · 28 Dec 2009

Hello Naihla, and welcome to Vista Forums.

It sounds like you may be having more serious problems if none of the shell commands above would not open anything when typed into the Start Menu search box or RUN window. How does everything else run on the computer?

Could you post back with the exact complete error message the game gives you when you try to open or install it?

You might give the free program 7-Zip a try instead. Run it as administrator, click on Options, then select the RAR file extention to be handled by 7-Zip.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

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