Tech News Today
  • News
  • How To
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Hardware
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Cases
    • Motherboards
    • Peripherals
    • RAM
  • Gaming
  • Software
  • More
    • Mobile
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Tech News Today
  • News
  • How To
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Hardware
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Cases
    • Motherboards
    • Peripherals
    • RAM
  • Gaming
  • Software
  • More
    • Mobile
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
Tech News Today
Home»Windows»How To Open And Use AppData

How To Open And Use AppData

AbhishekBy AbhishekMay 9, 2022
how-to-open-appdata

AppData, as the name suggests, is a folder that stores all the user-specific data of your applications. Each profile on your computer has its own AppData folder containing configuration, support, and temporary files.

Some applications may also install directly inside AppData rather than the Program Files folders. The developers most likely did this to bypass the admin authorization needed for the installation.

Table of Contents

  • AppData Folders
    • Roaming
    • Local
    • LocalLow
  • How to Open AppData
    • Using Environment Path Variable
    • Navigating the File Explorer
  • How to Use AppData
    • Clear Temporary Files
    • Transfer Save Files
    • Clear Residual Files After Uninstall
    • Transfer Application Settings
    • Check Log Files
    • Change Roaming Folder Location
  • AppData on Mac
  • Related Questions
    • Can’t Access a File/Folder Inside AppData
    • Does My Computer Store All Application Data Inside AppData?

AppData Folders

AppData contains three folders, each with its separate specification. These folders are:

Roaming

If your account is linked to a domain, the files in this folder will follow you from computer to computer. As a result, Roaming stores account-specific application files.

However, if you are not connected to a domain, Roaming acts the same way as the Local folder.

Local

The Local AppData folder contains application data files that are specific to a local computer. So, unlike Roaming, these files are not synced to another computer in the domain.

It also saves the temporary files your system creates while running any application or process. 

Many applications, especially those that use the internet, save data on both Local and Roaming folders.

LocalLow

It is the same as the Local folder. However, it generally stores data for apps that run with more restrictions, such as web browsers in protected mode.

It has a lower level of access, which makes the files more secure against threats, especially when connected to the internet.

How to Open AppData

The most convenient way to open AppData is to use the path variables as shortcuts. But you can also navigate the GUI if you find it easier.

Using Environment Path Variable

The Local and Roaming folders within AppData have unique identifiers that can be used as shortcuts. They are as follows:

  • Local – %localappdata%
  • Roaming – %appdata%
    appdata-run

While the AppData and LocalLow folders do not have unique identifiers, you can use the /.. code along with the variables to access the folder directly. For instance,

  • AppData – %appdata%/..
  • LocalLow – %appdata%/../locallow

Here, /.. changes the directory to a parent folder.

To open the folders, type the shortcuts into the Run command or the address bar of a file explorer.

Navigating the File Explorer

Another option is to use the file explorer to navigate to the AppData folder. By default, your system hides this folder. To begin, you must make all hidden folders visible. Then navigate to the folder’s location C:\Users\“username”\AppData.

appdata folders 1

How to Use AppData

We do not recommend changing or deleting files and folders in AppData haphazardly. There are, however, certain things you can do if you know what you’re doing, such as:

Clear Temporary Files

Application and system processes create temporary files in the AppData\Local\Temp folder.

Your system deletes most of these files after the process finishes. But some cache files will remain for future use. Additionally, the system can’t erase temporary files in case of unexpected shutdowns.

Having a large Temp folder may not harm your computer, but it still takes a lot of space and slows down your system. So, it’s better to clear its contents routinely. You can delete them through the file explorer or by using the Disk Cleanup utility.

Transfer Save Files

Many games will store their save files in the AppData folder. You can navigate to their locations and copy the savefiles to create backups or transfer to another computer.

If you have any problem locating the save files, we recommend getting help from the game’s forums or user groups.

Clear Residual Files After Uninstall

Not all applications will erase their configuration or other data files during an uninstall. You can navigate to their location inside AppData and delete the residual files if you want more space.

Transfer Application Settings

AppData also stores configuration files, plugins, mod lists for games, etc. It’s more practical to copy these files to another computer or as a backup to avoid wasting time manually configuring such settings.

Check Log Files

You can also find event log files for various applications inside AppData. If you encounter any errors, these files will be of considerable help in debugging the issues.

Change Roaming Folder Location

It is possible to change the location of the AppData\Roaming folder to another partition, drive, or computer in the network. If you want to free up some space on your system drive, use the following method to change its location:

  1. Navigate to the AppData folder.
  2. Right-click on Roaming and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Location tab.
  4. Click Move, head over to the destination folder, and pick Select Folder.
    roaming-location
  5. Hit Apply and Ok.

AppData on Mac

Mac stores application data in three folders inside the Library directory. They are: 

  • Application Support: It contains support files for third-party applications such as plugins, media files, etc.
  • Caches: Your applications create cache files in this folder for better performance.
  • Preferences: This folder includes all configuration files for the apps.

The Library directory is hidden by default. To access it,

  1. Launch Finder and head over to the Go menu.
  2. Press and hold the Option key and click on Library.
    library finder go menu
Warning: We do not recommend clearing the contents of these files without any reason. There are better ways to increase system storage. And Mac also removes all application files while uninstalling the program.

Related Questions

Can’t Access a File/Folder Inside AppData

This happens if you don’t have permission to access the file. To grant permission,

  1. Log in with an admin account.
  2. Right-click on the folder/file and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Security tab and click Advanced.
  4. Click Change, Advanced, and then Find Now.
    select-user-find-now
  5. Select your account and hit Ok twice.
  6. Check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and select Ok.
  7. Click Edit and tick Full Control.
    allow-full-control
  8. Hit Apply and Ok.

Does My Computer Store All Application Data Inside AppData?

While your system stores most of the application data inside the AppData folder, some apps will store data elsewhere.

For instance, some programs may save files inside their installation directory. Some also store data on the user profile and Documents folders.

how-to
Abhishek

I'm an avid writer, tech-enthusiast and casual gamer. I enjoy reading and listening to music too.

Related Posts

desktop window manager high memory

How To Fix Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage

May 8, 2022
xinput1_3.dll-not-found

How To Fix Xinput1_3.dll Not Found Or Missing Error

May 8, 2022
you-must-be-an-administrator-running-a-console-session

Fix: “You Must Be an Administrator Running a Console Session in Order to Use SFC”

May 8, 2022
driver-verifier-detected-violation

How To Fix Driver Verifier Detected Violation

May 6, 2022
how-to-move-a-window-that-is-off-screen

How to Move a Window That Is Off-screen

May 6, 2022
how-to-switch-out-of-s-mode

How To Switch Out Of S Mode

May 5, 2022
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest Posts
games like borderlands

Best 13 Shooter Games Like Borderlands

May 8, 2022
Static IP Vs Dynamic IP

Static IP Vs Dynamic IP – What’s the Difference?

May 6, 2022
how-to-move-a-window-that-is-off-screen

How to Move a Window That Is Off-screen

May 6, 2022
You may also like
how-to-open-appdata

How To Open And Use AppData

May 9, 2022
desktop window manager high memory

How To Fix Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage

May 8, 2022
xinput1_3.dll-not-found

How To Fix Xinput1_3.dll Not Found Or Missing Error

May 8, 2022
Recommended
Cookie Clicker Garden Guide

Cookie Clicker Garden Guide to Unlocking Every Seed

September 26, 2021
monitor no signal

Computer Turns On But Monitor Says No Signal (9 Ways To Fix)

October 25, 2021
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
© 2022 TechNewsToday.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.