---
layout: tips
permalink: tips/launching-windows-special-folders
title: 'Launching Windows Special Folders'
---
<p><em>Tip by kenz0 and JSMorley</em></p>
<p>Windows has many "special folders" like "My Computer" and "Recycle Bin" that are not part of the normal folder system you can specify with a "path" on an !Execute statement in Rainmeter, or launch differently then they appear in Explorer. </p>
<p>These folders can be accessed by using the Windows Shell command and the CLSID identifier codes that Windows assigns to these folders in the Windows Registry. If you know the codes, you can launch these with ease.</p>

``` plain
Action Center								Shell:::{BB64F8A7-BEE7-4E1A-AB8D-7D8273F7FDB6}
Add Network Location						Shell:::{D4480A50-BA28-11d1-8E75-00C04FA31A86}
Administrative Tools						Shell:::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}
Advanced User Accounts (netplwiz)			Shell:::{7A9D77BD-5403-11d2-8785-2E0420524153}
Applications								Shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}
AutoPlay									Shell:::{9C60DE1E-E5FC-40f4-A487-460851A8D915}
Biometric Devices							Shell:::{0142e4d0-fb7a-11dc-ba4a-000ffe7ab428}
BitLocker Drive Encryption					Shell:::{D9EF8727-CAC2-4e60-809E-86F80A666C91}
Bluetooth Devices							Shell:::{28803F59-3A75-4058-995F-4EE5503B023C}
Briefcase									Shell:::{85BBD920-42AO-1069-A2E4-08002B30309D}
Color Management							Shell:::{B2C761C6-29BC-4f19-9251-E6195265BAF1}
Command Folder								Shell:::{437ff9c0-a07f-4fa0-af80-84b6c6440a16}
Common Places FS Folder						Shell:::{d34a6ca6-62c2-4c34-8a7c-14709c1ad938}
Computer									Shell:::{20d04fe0-3aea-1069-a2d8-08002b30309d}
Connect To									Shell:::{38A98528-6CBF-4CA9-8DC0-B1E1D10F7B1B}
Control Panel								Shell:::{5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}
Control Panel (All Settings)				Shell:::{F90C627B-7280-45DB-BC26-CCE7BDD620A4}
Control Panel (All Tasks)					Shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Control Panel (Category view)				Shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}
Control Panel (Icons view)					Shell:::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
Credential Manager							Shell:::{1206F5F1-0569-412C-8FEC-3204630DFB70}
Date and Time								Shell:::{E2E7934B-DCE5-43C4-9576-7FE4F75E7480}
Default Programs							Shell:::{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966}
Delegate folder that appears in Computer	Shell:::{b155bdf8-02f0-451e-9a26-ae317cfd7779}
Device Manager								Shell:::{74246bfc-4c96-11d0-abef-0020af6b0b7a}
Devices and Printers						Shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}
Display										Shell:::{C555438B-3C23-4769-A71F-B6D3D9B6053A}
Ease of Access Center						Shell:::{D555645E-D4F8-4c29-A827-D93C859C4F2A}
E-mail (default program)					Shell:::{2559a1f5-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
Family Safety								Shell:::{96AE8D84-A250-4520-95A5-A47A7E3C548B}
Favorites									Shell:::{323CA680-C24D-4099-B94D-446DD2D7249E}
File History								Shell:::{F6B6E965-E9B2-444B-9286-10C9152EDBC5}
Folder Options								Shell:::{6DFD7C5C-2451-11d3-A299-00C04F8EF6AF}
Font Settings								Shell:::{93412589-74D4-4E4E-AD0E-E0CB621440FD}
Fonts										Shell:::{BD84B380-8CA2-1069-AB1D-08000948534}
Games Explorer								Shell:::{ED228FDF-9EA8-4870-83b1-96b02CFE0D52}
Get Programs								Shell:::{15eae92e-f17a-4431-9f28-805e482dafd4}
Help and Support							Shell:::{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
HomeGroup									Shell:::{6785BFAC-9D2D-4be5-B7E2-59937E8FB80A}
Indexing Options							Shell:::{87D66A43-7B11-4A28-9811-C86EE395ACF7}
Infared										Shell:::{A0275511-0E86-4ECA-97C2-ECD8F1221D08}
Installed Updates							Shell:::{d450a8a1-9568-45c7-9c0e-b4f9fb4537bd}
Internet Options							Shell:::{A3DD4F92-658A-410F-84FD-6FBBBEF2FFFE}
Keyboard Properties							Shell:::{725BE8F7-668E-4C7B-8F90-46BDB0936430}
Language Settings							Shell:::{BF782CC9-5A52-4A17-806C-2A894FFEEAC5}
Libraries									Shell:::{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}
Location Sensors							Shell:::{E9950154-C418-419e-A90A-20C5287AE24B}
Media Servers								Shell:::{289AF617-1CC3-42A6-926C-E6A863F0E3BA}
Mobility Center								Shell:::{5ea4f148-308c-46d7-98a9-49041b1dd468}
Mouse Properties							Shell:::{6C8EEC18-8D75-41B2-A177-8831D59D2D50}
Network										Shell:::{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}
Network and Sharing Center					Shell:::{8E908FC9-BECC-40f6-915B-F4CA0E70D03D}
Network Connections							Shell:::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}
Networks Flyout (Connect To)				Shell:::{38A98528-6CBF-4CA9-8DC0-B1E1D10F7B1B}
Network (WorkGroup)							Shell:::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
Notification Area Icons						Shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}
Offline Files Folder						Shell:::{AFDB1F70-2A4C-11d2-9039-00C04F8EEB3E}
Pen and Touch								Shell:::{F82DF8F7-8B9F-442E-A48C-818EA735FF9B}
Performance Information and Tools (WEI)		Shell:::{78F3955E-3B90-4184-BD14-5397C15F1EFC}
Personalization								Shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921}
Phone & Modem Location Information			Shell:::{40419485-C444-4567-851A-2DD7BFA1684D}
Portable Devices							Shell:::{35786D3C-B075-49b9-88DD-029876E11C01}
Power Options								Shell:::{025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}
Previous Versions Results Folder			Shell:::{f8c2ab3b-17bc-41da-9758-339d7dbf2d88}
printhood delegate folder					Shell:::{ed50fc29-b964-48a9-afb3-15ebb9b97f36}
Printers									Shell:::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
Programs and Features						Shell:::{7b81be6a-ce2b-4676-a29e-eb907a5126c5}
Programs Folder								Shell:::{7be9d83c-a729-4d97-b5a7-1b7313c39e0a}
Programs Folder and Fast Items				Shell:::{865e5e76-ad83-4dca-a109-50dc2113ce9a}
Public Folder								Shell:::{4336a54d-038b-4685-ab02-99bb52d3fb8b}
Recent Places								Shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99}
Recovery									Shell:::{9FE63AFD-59CF-4419-9775-ABCC3849F861}
Recycle Bin									Shell:::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
Region and Language							Shell:::{62d8ed13-c9d0-4ce8-a914-47dd628fb1b0}
RemoteApp and Desktop Connections			Shell:::{241D7C96-F8BF-4F85-B01F-E2B043341A4B}
Removable Storage Devices					Shell:::{a6482830-08eb-41e2-84c1-73920c2badb9}
Results Folder								Shell:::{2965e715-eb66-4719-b53f-1672673bbefa}
Run	Dialog									Shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
Search Apps									Shell:::{2559a1f8-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
Search Files								Shell:::{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
Search Results								Shell:::{9343812e-1c37-4a49-a12e-4b2d810d956b}
Set Program Access and Defaults				Shell:::{2559a1f7-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
Show Desktop								Shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
Sound										Shell:::{F2DDFC82-8F12-4CDD-B7DC-D4FE1425AA4D}
Speech Recognition							Shell:::{58E3C745-D971-4081-9034-86E34B30836A}
Storage Spaces								Shell:::{F942C606-0914-47AB-BE56-1321B8035096}
Switch Between Windows						Shell:::{3080F90E-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
Sync Center									Shell:::{9C73F5E5-7AE7-4E32-A8E8-8D23B85255BF}
Sync Setup Folder							Shell:::{2E9E59C0-B437-4981-A647-9C34B9B90891}
System										Shell:::{BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE}
Notification Area Icons						Shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}
Tablet PC Settings							Shell:::{80F3F1D5-FECA-45F3-BC32-752C152E456E}
Taskbar Properties							Shell:::{0DF44EAA-FF21-4412-828E-260A8728E7F1}
Text to Speech								Shell:::{D17D1D6D-CC3F-4815-8FE3-607E7D5D10B3}
Troubleshooting								Shell:::{C58C4893-3BE0-4B45-ABB5-A63E4B8C8651}
User Accounts								Shell:::{60632754-c523-4b62-b45c-4172da012619}
User Folder									Shell:::{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}
User Pinned									Shell:::{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}
Window Switcher (Flip-2D)					Shell:::{3080F90E-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
Windows Defender							Shell:::{D8559EB9-20C0-410E-BEDA-7ED416AECC2A}
Windows Features							Shell:::{67718415-c450-4f3c-bf8a-b487642dc39b}
Windows 7 File Recovery						Shell:::{B98A2BEA-7D42-4558-8BD1-832F41BAC6FD}
Windows Firewall							Shell:::{4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423}
Windows Mobility Center						Shell:::{5ea4f148-308c-46d7-98a9-49041b1dd468}
Windows SideShow							Shell:::{E95A4861-D57A-4be1-AD0F-35267E261739}
Windows To Go								Shell:::{8E0C279D-0BD1-43C3-9EBD-31C3DC5B8A77}
Windows Update								Shell:::{36eef7db-88ad-4e81-ad49-0e313f0c35f8}
```

``` ini
[MeterMyComputer]
Meter=IMAGE
ImageName=MyComputer.png
X=0
Y=0
W=38
H=38
LeftMouseDownAction=[Shell:::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}]
```

<p>Another way to access certain special Windows folders and functions is by knowing and using some commands Windows supports:</p>
<p><b>General Shortcut Commands:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><b>My Computer with C drive selected</b><br>
explorer.exe /select,c</li>
<li><b>Task Manager</b><br>
taskmgr.exe</li>
<li><b>Control Panel</b><br>
control</li>
<li><b>Windows Version Info</b><br>
winver</li>
<li><b>Windows Update</b><br>
wupdmgr</li>
<li><b>Internet Options</b><br>
inetcpl.cpl</li>
<li><b>Computer Management</b><br>
compmgmt.msc</li>
<li><b>System Properties</b><br>
sysdm.cpl</li>
<li><b>Date/Time Properties</b><br>
timedate.cpl</li>
<li><b>Volume Control</b><br>
sndvol32.exe</li>
<li><b>Volume Control (tray)</b><br>
sndvol32.exe /tray Normal</li>
<li><b>Logoff</b><br>
shutdown.exe -l</li>
<li><b>Switch User / Lock Computer</b><br>
rundll32.exe user32.dll LockWorkStation</li>
<li><b>Hibernate</b><br>
rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState</li>
<li><b>Restart</b><br>
shutdown.exe -r</li>
<li><b>Shutdown</b><br>
shutdown.exe -s</li>
<li><b>Shutdown (abort)</b><br>
shutdown.exe -a</li>
</ul><br>
<p>Or you can use Shell: commands supported by your version of Windows:</p>
<p><pre>LeftMouseUpAction=["Shell:My Pictures"]</pre></p>

<ul>
<li><b>Specific to Windows 7:</b><br><br>
shell:Libraries<br>
shell:MusicLibrary<br>
shell:VideosLibrary<br>
shell:OtherUsersFolder<br>
shell:Device Metadata Store<br>
shell:PublicSuggestedLocations<br>
shell:SuggestedLocations<br>
shell:RecordedTVLibrary<br>
shell:UserProgramFiles<br>
shell:DocumentsLibrary<br>
shell:User Pinned<br>
shell:UsersLibrariesFolder<br>
shell:PicturesLibrary<br>
shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts<br>
shell:UserProgramFilesCommon<br>
shell:Ringtones<br>
shell:CommonRingtones<br></li><br>
<li><b>Windows Vista and above:</b><br><br>
shell:Common Programs<br>
shell:GameTasks<br>
shell:UserProfiles<br>
shell:MyComputerFolder<br>
shell:SyncSetupFolder<br>
shell:DpapiKeys<br>
shell:SamplePlaylists<br>
shell:Favorites<br>
shell:My Video<br>
shell:SearchHomeFolder<br>
shell:System<br>
shell:CommonVideo<br>
shell:SyncResultsFolder<br>
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir<br>
shell:Cookies<br>
shell:Original Images<br>
shell:CommonMusic<br>
shell:My Pictures<br>
shell:Cache<br>
shell:Downloads<br>
shell:CommonDownloads<br>
shell:AppData<br>
shell:SyncCenterFolder<br>
shell:My Music<br>
shell:ConflictFolder<br>
shell:SavedGames<br>
shell:InternetFolder<br>
shell:Quick Launch<br>
shell:SystemCertificates<br>
shell:Contacts<br>
shell:TreePropertiesFolder<br>
shell:Profile<br>
shell:Start Menu<br>
shell:Common AppData<br>
shell:PhotoAlbums<br>
shell:ConnectionsFolder<br>
shell:Administrative Tools<br>
shell:PrintersFolder<br>
shell:Default Gadgets<br>
shell:ProgramFilesX86<br>
shell:Searches<br>
shell:Common Startup<br>
shell:ControlPanelFolder<br>
shell:SampleVideos<br>
shell:SendTo<br>
shell:ResourceDir<br>
shell:ProgramFiles<br>
shell:CredentialManager<br>
shell:PrintHood<br>
shell:MAPIFolder<br>
shell:CD Burning<br>
shell:AppUpdatesFolder<br>
shell:Common Start Menu<br>
shell:LocalAppDataLow<br>
shell:Templates<br>
shell:Gadgets<br>
shell:Programs<br>
shell:Recent<br>
shell:SampleMusic<br>
shell:Desktop<br>
shell:CommonPictures<br>
shell:RecycleBinFolder<br>
shell:CryptoKeys<br>
shell:Common Templates<br>
shell:Startup<br>
shell:Links<br>
shell:OEM Links<br>
shell:SamplePictures<br>
shell:Common Desktop<br>
shell:NetHood<br>
shell:Games<br>
shell:Common Administrative Tools<br>
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder<br>
shell:SystemX86<br>
shell:History<br>
shell:AddNewProgramsFolder<br>
shell:Playlists<br>
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86<br>
shell:PublicGameTasks<br>
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder<br>
shell:Public<br>
shell:Common Documents<br>
shell:CSCFolder<br>
shell:Local AppData<br>
shell:Windows<br>
shell:UsersFilesFolder<br>
shell:ProgramFilesCommon<br>
shell:Fonts<br>
shell:Personal <em>(Note: This will open your private "My Documents")</em><br></li><br>
<li><b>Windows XP and Above:</b><br><br>
shell:Common Programs<br>
shell:Favorites<br>
shell:My Video<br>
shell:System<br>
shell:CommonVideo<br>
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir<br>
shell:Cookies<br>
shell:My Pictures<br>
shell:Cache<br>
shell:AppData<br>
shell:My Music<br>
shell:InternetFolder<br>
shell:Profile<br>
shell:Start Menu<br>
shell:Common AppData<br>
shell:ConnectionsFolder<br>
shell:Administrative Tools<br>
shell:PrintersFolder<br>
shell:ProgramFiles<br>
shell:Common Startup<br>
shell:ControlPanelFolder<br>
shell:SendTo<br>
shell:ResourceDir<br>
shell:ProgramFiles<br>
shell:PrintHood<br>
shell:CD Burning<br>
shell:Common Start Menu<br>
shell:Templates<br>
shell:Programs<br>
shell:Recent<br>
shell:Desktop<br>
shell:CommonPictures<br>
shell:RecycleBinFolder<br>
shell:Common Templates<br>
shell:Startup<br>
shell:Common Desktop<br>
shell:NetHood<br>
shell:Common Administrative Tools<br>
shell:SystemX86<br>
shell:History<br>
shell:Common Documents<br>
shell:Local AppData<br>
shell:Windows<br>
shell:Fonts<br>
shell:Personal <em>(Note: This will open your private "My Documents")</em></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://smallvoid.com/article/winnt-shell-keyword.html" target="_blank">Some more Shell Commands</a></p>
<p><b>Basic usage examples:</b></p>
<pre>LeftMouseUpAction=[sndvol32.exe /tray Normal]</pre>
<pre>LeftMouseUpAction=[shell:Desktop]</pre>
<p><em>If a space is included, you need to enclose with double quotes. e.g. ["shell:Start Menu"]</em></p>
<p><em>You can send multiple commands simultaneously by surrounding each command in brackets.</em></p>
<pre>LeftMouseUpAction=[shell:Desktop][shell:SendTo]["shell:Start Menu"]</pre>