Appdatalocal vs roaming Jan 14, 2025 · 如果你使用的是Windows 11系统的 电脑，AppData文件夹可能并不陌生。这个文件夹包含三个子目录：Local、LocalLow和Roaming。了解这些AppData文件夹的种类和功能，对解决电脑问题、管理 磁盘 空间等方面非常有用。本文将详细介绍这三个主要AppData文件夹的区别及其存储的信息类型。 AppData文件夹是一个隐藏 Dec 2, 2020 · Discover ⭐ why you need the AppData folder in Windows and where to find it. roaming profile? Learn more about the difference, advantages, and disadvantages of each profile in the article below. Roaming vs Local mostly applies to a corporate environment where you sign in with Active Directory. Learn why it exists and what it's used for. Here is the test result in my lab. The AppData folder is unique for each user, and it contains app-specific Mar 7, 2023 · If you've already deleted the folders inside it, there's not much else to say except that VS Code will create the workspaceStorage directory again if it doesn't exist. Dec 2, 2018 · Both my desktop and laptop computers have Thunderbird files named PROFILE under AppData Local and AppData Roaming. Removing this data is a quick and safe way to free up some space, so go ahead and check out the steps below and quickly Sep 14, 2019 · Is C:\Users\MyUser\AppData\Local\Programs the folder where installers install programs for a single user only? Applications installed to %LocalAppData% would only be available to the user that installed it. ” That’s why you see the installers within that folder – yes, the are used by Local, but more specifically, they are used by Windows to install a piece of software that happens to be named Local. This post explains what they are and their functions. You should also copy profiles. One commenter wondered further what the difference between the AppData and ProgramData folders is. ini that's in the Firefox folder above your profile folder. You rarely need to access it, but we'll show you how in this guide. Register to receive notification when roaming data changes. I'd always assumed that the functionality of a roaming profile was more or less hardcoded, whereby it only captured data from AppData\Roaming. 8 on Windows 10, user install, not WSL and pipx (using pip) and was confused when I was informed during the install process that pipx’s commands were not on the path. All your replies and links seem to suggest roaming. In this folder you’ll find application data that stores over time on your Windows 11 and 10 PC. Windowsを使っていると、アプリや設定データがどこに保存されているのか迷ってしまうことはありませんか。実はAppDataの中でもLocal、LocalLow、Roamingの三つにはそれぞれ役割があり、うまく使い分けることでPC作業がよ Windows has more folder, like My Documents for files with content produced by user, AppData Local and Roaming (which Unix usually handles with NFS). In this regard i have been searching and this site has been of great help. Use Run to Find Windows 11's AppData Folder One easy way to open your "AppData" folder is by using the Run dialog box. ) Why different names? Oct 27, 2021 · Local vs. Any global data should be put in here. May 3, 2018 · When I install some programs like Atom, GitKraken or Discord. Jan 10, 2022 · The appdata/local folder is a Windows thing and means something more along the lines of “windows things that are locally used on this machine. Learn what the AppData folder in Windows is, why it grows over time, and how to safely clean temporary files, caches, and UWP app data to free disk space. AppData folder contains configuration settings, downloaded information/files for a particular user. Sep 22, 2017 · If you've stumbled across the AppData folder in Windows, you might wonder what the difference is between the Local and Roaming folders. Jul 5, 2023 · If you have Show hidden items available, you may have noticed the Local, LocalLow, and Roaming folders under Quick access or Users > UserName > AppData and wondered what they're used for. May 5, 2025 · Understanding AppData The AppData folder is a Windows system folder that stores application settings, configurations, and data for individual user accounts. Use it for application data that you want to share between machines. Safely handle worlds, mods, and resource packs on Windows, Mac, and Linux May 24, 2007 · appData: roaming vs local In the Users\JohnDoe\AppData directory, what is the difference between roaming, local and locallow folders? Thanks. Almost every program you install on your Windows 10 PC creates its own folder in the AppData folder and stores all its related information there. I noticed that some users with roaming profile are getting the Local and LocalLow folders copied along with Roaming folder. The stuff in "Roaming" is synchronized over the network. Understanding the Local, LocalLow, and Roaming Folders in AppData on Windows 11/10 Windows operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, use a structured file management system to organize user data and application settings. Windows uses the Roaming folder for application specific data, such as custom dictionaries, which are machine independent and should roam with the user profile. Mar 20, 2021 · Now you'll finally know what the heck Roaming and Local means! ⇒ Become a channel member for exclusive features! Check it out here: https://www. Dec 4, 2010 · The AppData\Local folder in Windows 7 is the same as the Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data folder in Windows XP. So, for example any user specific preferences and profile configurations can be stored in the AppData folder. Hope this helps. The reason it turns out is that pipx has installed in \\AppData\\Roaming\\Python\\Python38\\Scripts But Python has installed in \\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Python\\Python38\\ and therfore the Scripts Feb 15, 2012 · Thanks for your replies, but I'm still unsure which profile to backup, the one in local folder or the one in roaming folder, both in Windows Explorer. The folder in AppData\Local is the cache and other stuff that's not critical, but you can copy it if you want/need. Ever since I started using FF CSS I've used the Root/Roaming directory (clicked the first button I saw ), and today while looking through some firefox themes one said to use the Local directory. The path to the AppData folder is: C:\Users\ [username]\AppData\Local. Within AppData, you’ll The Roaming folder is copied between machines when roaming profiles are enabled (in a domain environment). On a domain network, the files and subfolders under the "Roaming" directory are synced to other devices if you log in to your account on a different computer on the same domain. Outlook and Office 365 Microsoft recommends Cached Exchange Mode so that a consistent online and offline Microsoft Outlook experience is enabled. Explore its significance with our comprehensive guide! Oct 11, 2020 · The difference between Appdata\Roaming and Appdata\local or Appdata\Locallow can probably be identified by the naming conventions, but basically, the local stuff is meant to stay on that machine, whereas the roaming stuff may be across your entire network. 246 Roaming is the folder that would be synchronized with a server if you logged into a domain with a roaming profile (enabling you to log into any computer in a domain and access your favorites, documents, etc. The path would look like c:\\users\\username\\appdata\\local\\folder\\file. Here are the available ways for you. AppData or Application Jun 19, 2014 · This post was written by Kraig Brockschmidt, Senior Program Manager in the Operating Systems Group Lately we’ve heard some recurring questions from you about files and app data, so we’ve compiled a list of those questions and provided some brief answers here. Nov 1, 2012 · For the differences: Roaming is the folder that would be synchronized with a server if you logged into a domain with a roaming profile (enabling you to log into any computer in a domain and access your favorites, documents, etc. Here you'll know what is the AppData Roaming and Local difference? Sep 7, 2016 · To put it straight, ProgramData contains application data that is not user specific. The data file in both directories bears the same name. The Roaming folder contains data that would "roam" with a user account from computer to computer if your PC was connected to a domain with Sep 13, 2024 · Windows 11 (and 10) include the AppData folder and "Local," "LocalLow," and "Roaming" subfolders, and in this guide, I will explain what you need to know about them and when to use them. Local does not. We show how to unhide and find the. This doesn't really apply on personal computers, but is used in say, corporate environments. AppData folder. Jun 2, 2018 · This article explains the AppData folder structure, including Local, LocalLow, and Roaming folders, and their purposes in Windows operating systems. This holds true for most apps, but some apps will install only to the AppData folder, while others will install only to Program Files or Program Files (x86) and not to AppData. Aug 1, 2025 · Locate and safely manage your Windows AppData folder. Firefox stores its information here, so you could even have the same bookmarks between computers with a roaming profile. So for instance if AppData on Windows is an important part of how the operating system works, but what are its three subfolders, and what do they do? I think that creating a directory like ~/Program Files/Foo for my Foo program is much better than creating ~/AppData/Local/Foo, ~/AppData/LocalLow/Foo and ~/AppData/Roaming/Foo, each of which with different files and with different purposes. it seemed to work until i restarted and it caused chaos. Nov 10, 2025 · AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WebCache AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies For more information, see Process Internet cookie files on logoff. Aug 15, 2023 · The Local AppData vs. Feb 21, 2021 · Hello @poling chen , Thank you for posting here. Within the AppData directory, three specific folders—Local, LocalLow, and Roaming—play distinct roles Jan 11, 2018 · Each Windows user account has its data stored away in the AppData folder. (There may well be other reasons as well. Managing Roaming User Data Deployment Guide Basically, the user data that you move from XP should be placed in the User Name\AppData\Roaming folder. I played around with moving the whole appdata folder (right click on roaming/local/locallow then click on properties then location tab then change directory). roaming: Stores data that can be synchronized between different devices if the account is linked to a domain or cloud system. Jun 16, 2022 · To use roaming app data, you need to register for roaming data changes and retrieve the roaming data containers so you can read and write settings. Use this class to preserve app-specific data between sessions, users, and across multiple devices. Control sync settings for Roaming data, especially in bandwidth-constrained networks or environments with slow connections. They're stored on the local machine. We’ll walk you thorugh all the steps below. You can use the Run dialog box or File Explorer to get access to the folder. May 17, 2021 · I am in search of moving 'Local' and 'Roaming' folders inside the AppData folder in C:drive to D:drive. youtubmore Dec 31, 2024 · How to Find and Use the AppData Folder in Windows If you’re a Windows user, it’s likely that you’ve stumbled upon the AppData folder at some point, whether during the troubleshooting of an application or while looking for specific settings. After looking through about:profiles I noticed that there are actually two directories, one for Local and one for roaming. Mar 5, 2020 · What AppData, LocalAppData & ProgramData have in common? Besides the fact that we have just learned that AppData Local, AppData, and ProgramData are environmental variables, there is another thing they have in common: they define location paths where an application stores data. Jul 19, 2017 · What Are Local, LocalLow, and Roaming? There are actually three folders inside AppData, and different programs store different types of settings in each. Looks like local app data is the correct method as temporary data can be removed by the device at any time. Specifically: What are the best practices for managing roaming profiles to prevent performance issues caused by large AppData folders? How can we configure policies to exclude specific folders (like AppData) from being synchronized with roaming profiles? Oct 7, 2024 · Discover how to easily access the AppData folder in Windows 11 with our step-by-step guide, ensuring you can manage your application data efficiently. Here’s a breakdown of the Local AppData and Roaming AppData folders: The Local AppData Local, LocalLow and Roaming folders in AppData on Windows 11/10 explainedWindows 11/10 AppData folder includes the following sub-folders – Roaming, Local & LocalLow. This data will be available to all users on the computer. Programs use one or the other or both depending on what kind of data they store in them. Which location is used by an application? Mar 22, 2017 · A Group Policy Object (GPO) has always allowed administrators to exclude folders from a roaming profile but not include them. This folder is used for User Profile specific data, while the AppData\Local folder structure is used for Machine Specific data. The GPO varaiable %AppDataDir% directs to AppData\\Roaming. One critical component of this system is the AppData folder, which houses various types of user-specific data for installed applications. Jul 31, 2020 · By Vijit Ail The AppData folder includes application settings, files, and data unique to the applications on your Windows PC. This opens the Roaming folder inside the AppData folder. local/bin Etc etc Sep 6, 2024 · Uncover the mystery of the LocalLow folder in the AppData directory on Windows 10. Aug 1, 2024 · Hi Rajneesh, This is Ramesh. Here's the story. Any ideas on why this is happening? Everyone has the same policy but only a few people are Jan 30, 2025 · Request for Assistance: We are seeking guidance or best practices to resolve this issue. The 3 folders in appdata are Local, LocalLow and Roaming. Is there a GPO variable for the local app data folder? I could use a logon script, but wondering if the variable exists to make things easier. Roaming gets synchronized with the server and is copied to each new machine you sign on. Curious about how Windows manages user-specific data across different folders? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make sense of the Local, LocalLow, and Roaming directories. Jul 16, 2024 · Roaming folder: Unlike the Local folder, this folder stores user-specific data such as preferences, configurations, and customizations that can be synced across multiple Windows systems in the domain. But this only really holds true for MSI per-user installs; if you're doing a manual "install" by exploding a package, you shouldn't really be using any of the AppData folders. Aug 20, 2024 · Learn to locate the hidden AppData folder in Windows 10 with our easy step-by-step guide, ensuring you can access crucial files for troubleshooting or customization. Based on my resear and test in my lab, that only the Appdata\Roaming folder is redirected. When you install an application, it often creates files and folders in AppData to store user preferences, history, cache files, and other necessary settings. Several apps including internet browsers, email programs, and games store data such as your profiles, bookmarks, signatures, short notes, add-ons, and saved files in the AppData folder. And if someone needs the example code then here is the link for a simple example. Roaming AppData Folder Within the AppData folder in Windows, there are two important subfolders: “Local” and “Roaming”. If you can access more than one computer at your company under a company-wide user account, whatever is in Roaming would be the same at every computer you access. Their installer wasn't let me choose where to install, instead, they install themselves into AppData/Local folder. This ensures a more personalized experience when interacting with software. Where is the AppData folder located? By default, the AppData folder is hidden and is located in the following path: 1 day ago · Learn how to access, back up, and manage your Minecraft AppData folder. com Oct 14, 2025 · Learn the key differences between Local, LocalLow, and Roaming folders in Windows and how to access each one easily. Jun 12, 2024 · Originally asked on r/firefox: Hello, We support the three major browsers in our environment: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. The AppData\Local and AppData\Roaming locations are the preferred locations for applications to store data that is not required to be exposed to the user. The Appdata\Local and Appdata\LocalLow folders are not redirected. However, I have to admit I was mistaken, and I give big thanks to Raphael Schulz for pointing this out to me. In the case of the average consumer there’s no clear benefit or difference. ApplicationData provides local, roaming, and temporary storage for app data on a per-user basis. This hidden directory holds essential user data for browsers, emails, and games—learn how to handle it properly. Jul 14, 2025 · Backup the Roaming folder if you want to preserve user preferences and profiles when migrating or reimaging systems. May 30, 2018 · Which usually points to AppData\Local vs AppData\Roaming. Jul 13, 2019 · My question is, why do programs save their data in the AppData folder and not in their Program Files' installation folder? Do they actually store all their local data in the AppData folder, or can Jan 14, 2020 · Hi All, We use Roaming Profile on our company and all works, well sort of. When you log in to a different computer in the same domain with the same account, your Roaming folder data is synchronized for seamless access. The folder is hidden by default in Windows File Explorer and has three hidden sub-folders: Local, LocalLow, and Roaming. I configured the GPO setting User Configuration\Policies\Windwos Settings\Folder Redirection\AppData (Roaming) and applied it to one domain user (B\yu2 Sep 13, 2018 · Profiles are stored in two locations (local & roaming) but none of the articles I have read specify which to use OR both. What are the benefits Jul 19, 2018 · The Roaming folder contains the lion’s share of all the files in AppData—including the ones you’re most likely to need access to—so it makes sense to go there first. EDIT: Here is the difference between Roaming, Local and LocalLow: Windows has a little known feature called "roaming profiles", the general idea is that in a corporate environment with this feature enabled any user can use any computer. ini When I check my environment variables, I get see I have a similar path (note: Local, not Roaming): C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37\Scripts So this leaves me with the following questions: What is the benefit of adding the Roaming folder to PATH? What is the downside? Should I replace the Local folder in PATH, or add a . Aug 27, 2023 · Cả ba thư mục Local, LocalLow, Roaming đều được tạo bởi hệ điều hành Windows. Sep 14, 2012 · What are the benefits and downsides of installing an application in the user's AppData directory? I assume that installing in AppData will let users in restricted environments be able to install a Mar 22, 2011 · Otherwise use AppData\Roaming, use Local or LocalLow only if you have a good reason. Oct 5, 2024 · This is where large amounts of data are stored. Open your AppData folder and you'll see Local, LocalLow, and Roaming folders. The Windows 10 AppData folder includes the following sub-folders – Roaming, Local & LocalNow. Next, you can also open %appdata% from the Run prompt. In this first part, we’ll cover your app data questions. The "Local" folder under "Appdata" doesn't roam to other devices. For all three, we have respective profile roaming settings implemented throu Jul 24, 2024 · Roaming folder: Unlike the Local folder, this folder stores user-specific data such as preferences, configurations, and customizations that can be synced across multiple Windows systems in the domain. The "LocalLow See full list on xda-developers. Let's start with Roaming. In the Server where profiles are saved should only have Roaming folder inside their Profile, AppData. Nov 18, 2019 · A --user install always goes to Roaming, and non-user goes to the Python installation’s scripts directory (that’s Local if Python is installed per-user). The folder has Jan 11, 2024 · AppData folder is among the hidden system folders on a Windows 11/10 computer. So yes, you’d want to add the roaming path to PATH is this case. Almost every program you install on your Windows 11/10 PC creates its own folder in the AppData folder and stores all its related information there. Here is a question Oct 29, 2024 · The apps you install on Windows store much of their data in the AppData folder. You Aug 30, 2024 · Learn how to access the hidden AppData folder in Windows 10 with our step-by-step guide. In part 2, Apr 25, 2024 · Windows の AppData フォルダ直下には「Local」「LocalLow」「Roaming」の3つのフォルダがある。 それぞれの違いは何だろうか？ Local/LocalLow と Roaming フォルダの用途 「Local」と「LocalLow」フォルダには、個人設定（ローカル設定）が保存される。 ファイルサイズが大きく、ユーザーとともに移動するには Jun 21, 2021 · What Is the AppData Folder? The AppData (Application Data) folder is a hidden folder in Windows 10 that contains all the data specific to your user profile for the programs installed on your PC. It's about time for us developers to start using these structures. What is the difference between roaming profile and folder redirection? At the most basic level, a Windows user profile is the entirety of the directories and files within the directories that contain user-specific data (a very basic way to look at it is the profile is anything and everything contained within the c:\users\username directory) as well as the various registry entries that contain Oct 9, 2021 · A roaming user works on more than one computer on a network. Is there a difference between the two and I'm dumb for using Roaming this May 6, 2025 · Windows operating systems, including the latest releases like Windows 10 and 11, have robust mechanisms for managing user data and application settings. Feb 17, 2023 · Roaming：若使用者的資料，需要同步儲存到多個不同的主機時，資料會放在這個目錄下 參考資料： Why are there directories called Local, LocalLow, and Roaming under \Users\AppData? Local, LocalLow and Roaming folders in AppData on Windows 11/10 explained May 15, 2025 · Discover how Folder Redirection and Roaming User Profiles centralize user data and synchronize profiles across devices. However, many users may LocalLow: Similar to Local, but used by applications that operate with higher security restrictions. Manage your application settings and data like a pro! Nov 18, 2019 · I have installed Python 3. Sep 9, 2024 · Learn how to locate and access the AppData folder in Windows 11 with our straightforward, step-by-step guide to managing essential application data. I managed to only move half the files over. This hidden folder plays a critical role in storing user-specific application data, settings, and other configuration files. Kể cả khi trong hệ thống của bạn chỉ có những ứng dụng cài sẵn thì bạn vẫn sẽ tìm thấy ba thư mục Local, LocalLow, và Roaming trong thư mục Appdata. Oct 23, 2017 · You don't have a roaming profile, otherwise, the profile type (from your first image) would read 'Roaming'. Understanding the differences between these folders is crucial for managing application data effectively. You enter a folder path in this box and then make a Jan 10, 2010 · Probably to more cleanly allow things like Roaming Profiles to work, and support a cleaner division between information local to a machine or portable across multiple machines when Roaming Profiles are used. A roaming user's profile is kept on a server on the network and is loaded onto a system when the user logs on. Yes, the one in AppData\Roaming is your profile. This data can be synced across the same network, commonly used in enterprise environments. Apr 19, 2021 · When an app is installed on Windows 10, it saves files in two different locations; Program Files or Program Files (x86), and the AppData folder. The folder is used to store information for workspaces such as what extensions are enabled, the state of the explorer tree, what editors are open and in what editor groups, extension-specific state/cache info, etc. Among these directories, the AppData folder stands out as a critical component that helps manage user-specific data for applications. AppData or Application data is a hidden folder in Windows 10 that helps protect user data and settings Sep 29, 2017 · We recently examined the difference between the Roaming and Local AppData folders in Windows. Jul 15, 2019 · I need to copy a file for users to the AppData\\Local directory. Both Local and Roaming folders contain per-user application data. Additionally, if a user were on an Active Directory domain, it wouldn’t be synchronized to other machines. Roaming as it says is for data that you want to use across devices that is stored on OneDrive (old Skydrive). %APPDATA% for Roaming App Data and %LOCALAPPDATA% for Local App Data Desktop, Documents etc etc == XDG user home directories Its down to the devs, you can literally not touch the registry at all Linux can be just as confusing when you can have / /var /etc /usr /bin /usr/local/bin ~/. The May 4, 2023 · Need to locate the "AppData" folder? It's easier to find this folder than you think on your Windows 11 PC. In a domain environment, the Roaming is used to copy the user's environment as they log on to different computers. The stuff in "Local" always stays on that particular computer. Oct 30, 2025 · To find the Windows AppData folder on your PC you’ll have to access File Explorer, use the run command or the Windows search bar. May 8, 2013 · The AppData\Local folder in Windows Vista is the same as the Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data folder in Windows XP. dpogl raob unnr lxzrp jrcji azemdh npig dtjmrsb bbdk fmtwrsi fnn xyia tle idoll cgjcran