Default Windows directories and their purposes

1. System Directories

Directory	Path	Purpose
Windows	C:\Windows	Main system directory containing OS files.
System32	C:\Windows\System32	Core system files, including DLLs and executables for Windows services and utilities.
SysWOW64	C:\Windows\SysWOW64	32-bit system files on 64-bit Windows (opposite of what the name suggests).
WinSxS	C:\Windows\WinSxS	Side-by-side assemblies for DLL versioning (stores multiple versions of system files).
Temp	C:\Windows\Temp	Temporary files used by Windows and applications.

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2. User Directories

Directory	Path	Purpose
Users	C:\Users\	Contains all user profiles.
Desktop	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Desktop	User’s desktop folder.
Documents	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents	Default location for saved documents.
Downloads	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Downloads	Default download folder for browsers.
Pictures	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures	Default folder for images.
Music	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Music	Default folder for music files.
Videos	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Videos	Default folder for video files.
AppData	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData	Stores user-specific application data (hidden by default).
Local	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local	Local application settings and cache.
Roaming	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming	User data that syncs across devices in domain environments.
LocalLow	C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\LocalLow	More restricted storage for security purposes (e.g., Internet Explorer).

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3. Program Files Directories

Directory	Path	Purpose
Program Files	C:\Program Files	Default location for installed 64-bit applications.
Program Files (x86)	C:\Program Files (x86)	Default location for installed 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows.
Common Files	C:\Program Files\Common Files	Shared files for installed programs.

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4. System Configuration & Logs

Directory	Path	Purpose
System Volume Information	C:\System Volume Information	Stores system restore points and indexing data (restricted access).
ProgramData	C:\ProgramData	Shared application data for all users.
PerfLogs	C:\PerfLogs	Performance logs and diagnostic reports.
Recycle Bin	C:\$Recycle.Bin	Stores deleted files (hidden by default).

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5. Boot & Recovery Directories

Directory	Path	Purpose
Boot	C:\Boot	Boot configuration files (on some installations).
EFI (ESP Partition)	C:\EFI or C:\Boot\EFI	Boot files for UEFI systems (usually on a separate partition).
Recovery	C:\Recovery	Recovery environment files for system repair.

1. Modifying Folder Permissions & Ownership

Some Windows directories (like System32, Program Files, and System Volume Information) are protected and require administrator rights to modify.

Take Ownership & Modify Permissions (GUI Method)

1. Right-click on the folder → Properties.
2. Go to the Security tab → Click Advanced.
3. Click Change next to Owner → Type "Administrators" → Click Check Names.
4. Select Replace owner on subcontainers and objects → Click OK.
5. In the Security tab, click Edit → Select "Administrators" → Check "Full control".
6. Click Apply and OK.

🔹 Command Line Method (Take Ownership & Full Control)

powershell

takeown /f "C:\Folder\Path" /r /d y
icacls "C:\Folder\Path" /grant Administrators:F /t /c /l /q

• takeown makes you the owner.
• icacls grants full control to administrators.

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2. Relocating System Folders

Windows allows moving some directories (like Documents, Downloads), but others (like System32) are hardcoded.

Move User Folders (Documents, Downloads, etc.)

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).
2. Right-click the folder (e.g., Documents) → Select Properties.
3. Go to the Location tab → Click Move….
4. Choose a new location (e.g., another drive) → Click Apply.
5. Windows will prompt to move files—select Yes if needed.

🔹 Registry Hack for Changing Program Files Location
(Only for fresh installs—DO NOT use on an existing system!)

1. Open Registry Editor (Win + R → regedit).
2. Navigate to: CopyEditHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
3. Find ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86).
4. Change their values to the new location (D:\Program Files).
5. Restart your system.

💀 Warning: Changing Program Files on a live system can break installed applications!

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3. Cleaning Up & Maintaining Windows Directories

Over time, system directories accumulate junk files. Here’s how to clean them up safely.

Clear Temporary Files

powershell

del /s /q /f C:\Windows\Temp\*
del /s /q /f C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Temp\*

Or use Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr):

1. Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and hit Enter.
2. Select your drive (C:), click OK.
3. Click Clean up system files, check Temporary files, Windows Update Cleanup, Recycle Bin, etc.
4. Click OK to delete.

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Remove Old Windows Update Files

powershell

Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase

This will delete outdated update files and free up several GBs of space.

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Permanently Disable Windows Reserved Directories

Disable System Volume Information (Restore Points)

powershell

vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
wmic shadowcopy delete

Then disable restore points:

1. Open System Properties (Win + R → sysdm.cpl).
2. Go to the System Protection tab.
3. Select C:\, click Configure → Choose Disable system protection.

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Empty WinSxS Without Breaking Windows

powershell

Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /SPSuperseded

This removes old service packs and updates from C:\Windows\WinSxS.

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Special Cases: Hidden/System Folders

Some directories are locked by Windows:

Folder	How to Access/Modify
C:\System Volume Information	Grant ownership (takeown /f "C:\System Volume Information" /r /d y)
C:$Recycle.Bin	Empty it using rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.Bin
C:\Windows\WinSxS	Use Dism.exe to safely clean it
C:\Users\All Users (ProgramData)	Move it via Registry (not recommended)