Article #26676: How to find the location of Windows special folders.

Question

How do I find the location of special folders (such as the Desktop, Recycle bin, etc.)?

Answer

The location of these files can be found by using the SHGetSpecialFolderLocation API call. Below is an example of finding some of the most common special folders. void __fastcall TForm1::Button1Click(TObject *Sender) { //cb is a combo box, lb is a label int folder; switch (cb->ItemIndex) { case 0: folder = CSIDL_BITBUCKET; break; case 1: folder = CSIDL_CONTROLS; break; case 2: folder = CSIDL_DESKTOP; break; case 3: folder = CSIDL_DRIVES; break; case 4: folder = CSIDL_FONTS; break; case 5: folder = CSIDL_NETWORK; break; case 6: folder = CSIDL_PRINTERS; break; case 7: folder = CSIDL_PROGRAMS; break; case 8: folder = CSIDL_RECENT; break; case 9: folder = CSIDL_SENDTO; break; case 10: folder = CSIDL_STARTMENU; break; case 11: folder = CSIDL_STARTUP; break; case 12: folder = CSIDL_TEMPLATES; break; default: folder = -1; break; } if (folder >= 0) { LPITEMIDLIST pidl; if (SHGetSpecialFolderLocation(Handle,folder,&pidl) == NOERROR) { char buf[MAX_PATH]; SHGetPathFromIDList(pidl,buf); lb->Caption = buf; } } }

Last Modified: 22-JAN-01