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Where is the desktop directory on Windows-11, -12?


The desktop folder or the desktop directory on Windows 12, 11, 10, ... is especially useful when you have different users on the PC! 



Everyone knows how easy it is ►  to save the desktop icon positions, but where is the real directory of the desktop folder, it is explained here!

Contents:

1.) ... Your own desktop directory under Windows 11 / 12!
2.) ... In Windows 11, open the desktop folder for all users!
3.) ... More information about the desktop folder under Windows 11 / 12!

4.) ... Activate the standard desktop icons under Windows 11 / 12!
5.) ... Is this the real desktop directory on Windows 11 / 12, and what is it good for?



1.) Your own desktop directory under Windows 11!

1. Start Windows Explorer as always!

2. Press the F4 key and enter %UserProfile%  

3. Click on Desktop 

(... see Image-1 Point 1 to 4)

This is the correct folder path to your personal desktop if you press Windows + D, or just desktop, open the virtual desktop folder!


(Image-1) The desktop directory ergo folder on Windows 11!
The desktop directory ergo folder on Windows 11!

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2.) With Windows 11 open the desktop folder for all users!


1. Start Windows Explorer as always!

2. Press the F4 key and enter shell:common desktop

2b. Optional Windows + R key combination and  shell:common desktop


The directory C:\Users\Public\Desktop is responsible for all users, if a shortcut is created here, it will appear on the virtual desktop of all users!

(Image-2) The desktop directory on Windows 11 for all Users!
The desktop directory on Windows 11 for all Users!

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3.) More information about the desktop folder under Windows 11!




The real desktop directory (folder) and the desktop you see are not one and the same on Windows, here is a simple example of how to open these folders to answer the question many users have asked what the path name of the desktop is is on Windows and how do I find the desktop wallpaper folder?

See also:

► Understand Windows user profiles!
► Back up and restore saved user names and passwords!




Windows 11 allows you to customize your desktop by arranging icons, changing the background, and adjusting icon size and grid spacing. You can right-click on the desktop and select Customize to access these settings. Each user account on a Windows 11 computer has its own Desktop folder. This means that the desktop environment can be personalized for different users of the same computer.
 
Please note that Windows 11 may have introduced new features related to the Desktop folder since my last update.


4.) ... Activate the standard desktop icons under Windows 11!




1. Please start running dialog  Windows +R

2. Enter  desk.cpl, 5 

3. and activate the default desktop icons


►►  Why are the desktop icons disappearing?


(Image-4) Enable standard desktop icons under Windows 10!
Enable standard desktop icons under Windows 10!

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5.) Is this the real desktop directory on Windows 11, and what is it good for?


......


The "Real Desktop Directory" on Windows 11 refers to the default folder where files and shortcuts are stored on the desktop. It is the visible part of your desktop where you can place shortcuts to frequently used files, programs and folders. The desktop provides quick and convenient access to these items without having to navigate through the File Explorer window.


The term "real desktop directory" or "real desktop directory" is not usually used officially, but rather is an informal term used by users for the desktop folder on the hard drive. This folder is typically located at "C:\Users\your_username\Desktop" (where "your_username" is replaced with your actual username).


The path to the Real Desktop directory is:
C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\Desktop\


Once you view hidden files and folders, you can open the Real Desktop directory in File Explorer.

The Real Desktop directory is useful for the following tasks:

- You can move files and folders to subfolders in the Real Desktop directory to organize them.

- You can backup Real Desktop directory with backup software to protect your files and folders.

- If you accidentally delete a file or folder on the desktop, you can restore it from the Real Desktop directory.

Here are some examples of using the Real Desktop directory:

- You want to organize your files and folders on the desktop by topic. For example, you can create a folder for documents, a folder for pictures, and a folder for videos.

- You want to create a backup of your files and folders on the desktop. You can back up the Real Desktop directory to an external drive or to the cloud using backup software.

- You accidentally deleted a file or folder on the desktop. You can restore the file or folder from the Real Desktop directory.


The Real Desktop Directory on Windows 11 is a hidden directory that contains all files and folders that appear on the desktop. It is a useful tool for users who want to organize their files and folders on the desktop. The desktop is convenient for having frequently used files and programs at your fingertips. You can also drag files from other folders to the desktop to make them temporarily easier to find or edit. Windows 11 offers several ways to customize the desktop to suit your needs, including customizing the wallpaper, grouping icons into folders, and creating shortcuts to important files and programs.



FAQ 120: Updated on: 6 September 2024 19:47 Windows
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Asked questions on this answer:
  1. Desktop path?
  2. Windows 11 move path from desktop?
  3. Wondering where the files are stored on Win 11 desktop?
  4. How to find the Desktop directory in Windows 12?
  5. What is the path to the desktop folder in Windows 11?
  6. What is the path to desktop folder for all users in Windows 12?
  7. Windows desktop background directory?
  8. How to open desktop directory in Windows 10?
  9. How do I open the desktop folder in Windows 11?
  10. What is desktop folder path in Windows 12?
  11. How do I open the desktop directory in Windows 12 for all users?
  12. Win 11 path for taskbar?
  13. How do I access the desktop folder for all users in Windows 11?
  14. How to find desktop for all users in Windows 11?
  15. What is the path to desktop directory in Windows 10?
  16. For me it often happens that I put files on the desktop, I can then find them the fastest, especially when I save text with Microsoft Word, it is no problem to open them, the desktop is always at the top as a folder in the directory tree when opening files. But I wonder where the desktop can be found as a storage location?
  17. Show desktop location?
  18. How can I open the desktop directory in Windows 11?
  19. Folder on real desktop in win11?
  20. Win11 desktop left path?
  21. What is the desktop folder path in Windows 12?
  22. Win11 desktop picture location?
  23. What is the path of the desktop directory in Windows 12?
  24. How to find real desktop directory in Windows 11?
  25. Desktop folder?
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  27. How to find real directory from desktop in Windows 12?
  28. Find and edit desktop folder in Windows 11?
  29. Where is the taskbar folder located?
  30. Windows desktop path?
  31. File path desktop?
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  34. What is the path to the desktop folder in Windows 10?
  35. Desktop path win 11?
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  37. How to open desktop folder in Windows 11 for all users?
  38. Windows desktop file path?
  39. How do I find the desktop folder for all users in Windows 11?
  40. How do I find the desktop for all users in Windows 10?
  41. Where is desktop folder in Windows 11?
  42. Path desktop?
  43. How do I find the desktop directory in Windows 12?
  44. Windows 11 desktop directory?
  45. Lock screen path windows 11?
  46. What path leads to the desktop directory in Windows 10?
  47. Location desktop background image win 11?
  48. Windows 10 desktop shortcut explorer path?
  49. How can I find the desktop folder for all users in Windows 11?
  50. How do I find the real directory from the desktop in Windows 12?
  51. Where is the storage location of the desktop?
  52. How to find the Desktop folder for all users in Windows 12?
  53. How do I find the correct desktop folder in Windows 10?
  54. How to open the Desktop directory in Windows 10?
  55. Windows 11 file path desktop?
  56. Desktop folder Win 11?
  57. How to open the Desktop folder in Windows 10?
  58. Where is desktop folder in Windows 10?
  59. Where is the location for desktop in Win 11?
  60. Win11 file path desktop background?
  61. How do I open the desktop directory for all users in Windows 12?
  62. Desktop wallpaper path?
  63. Where are the contents of the desktop there is a folder here does the MS Windows operating system have specific desktop folders for users or is the desktop folder virtual on Windows, if so, how do I find it on my workstation or hard drive, or is it in Windows folder installed itself, for example the folder with your name My Desktop, Administrator Desktop, where can I find the folder with the name Desktop containing the data that I put on the Windows Desktop?
  64. How to open the Desktop folder in Windows 10 for all users?
  65. Win11 path desktop?
  66. How to find desktop folder in Windows 12?
  67. How do I find the correct desktop directory in Windows 11?
  68. Where can I find the desktop directory in Windows 12?
  69. Windows 11 where is bin directory?
  70. Where is the Desktop folder in Win 11?
  71. Windows 11 directory?
  72. Public desktop windows 11?
  73. How do I find the real directory of the desktop in Windows 11?
  74. Windows 11 desktop path?
  75. Desktop file path?
  76. How to find desktop directory in Windows 11?
  77. What is the path to the correct Desktop folder in Windows 11?
  78. Windows11 path desktop?
  79. Path to desktop?
  80. What is the path to the desktop directory in Windows 10?
  81. Windows 11 desktop path not available?
  82. What is the real directory from the desktop in Windows 10?
  83. Desktop directory disappeared, Windows 11 desktop wallpaper path?
  84. Where is the desktop folder in Windows 12?
  85. Win11 desktop folder?
  86. Where is the desktop folder in Windows 10?
  87. How do I reach the correct desktop folder in Windows 11?
  88. Path for desktop?
  89. Desktop system-wide path?
  90. What is desktop directory path in Windows 12?
  91. What is the real directory of the desktop in Windows 10?
  92. Windows 11 wallpaper location?
  93. Windows desktop location?
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  95. How to find the real Desktop directory in Windows 12?
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  102. Location all users desktop?
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  104. What is the path of the desktop directory in Windows 11?
  105. How to open desktop directory in Windows 12 for all users?
  106. Where is the public desktop located?
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