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Windows 11: Shell Folder Command Shortcuts

Richard
Written by
Richard
May 8, 2023 Updated Aug 13, 2026 5 min read
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Shell folder commands in Windows 11 are short text codes that open system folders instantly without clicking through File Explorer . Typing a command like shell:downloads into the Run box or address bar jumps straight to your target folder, saving you time during everyday tasks.

Press Win+R to open the Run box, type any shell command, and hit Enter to jump right to that folder.

⚡ Quick Answer

Access Windows 11 shell folders by opening the Run box (Win+R), typing `shell:FolderName`, and pressing Enter. For example, `shell:startup` opens the startup folder. You can also use these commands in File Explorer or the command line.

Use shell command shortcuts to access shell folders

Organise the massive list into clear categories like User Folders, System Folders, and Control Panel applets so readers can scan it easily.

Launch Windows Terminal with administrative privileges or establish a desktop shortcut beforehand. Executing these commands reveals the hidden shell directories.

  • 📂%UserProfile%3D Objects
    • Command: explorer "shell:3D Objects"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftWindowsAccountPictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:AccountPictures"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsWindows Tools
    • Command: explorer "shell:Administrative Tools"
  • 📂%AppData%
    • Command: explorer "shell:AppData"
  • Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsGet Programs
    • Command: explorer "shell:AddNewProgramsFolder"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsApplication Shortcuts
    • Command: explorer "shell:Application Shortcuts"
  • Applications
    • Command: explorer "shell:AppsFolder"
  • Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsPrograms and FeaturesInstalled Updates
    • Command: explorer "shell:AppUpdatesFolder"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsINetCache
    • Command: explorer "shell:Cache"
  • 📂%UserProfile%PicturesCamera Roll
  • LibrariesCamera Roll
    • Command: explorer "shell:CameraRollLibrary"
  • 📂%UserProfile%VideosCaptures
    • Command: explorer "shell:Captures"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsBurnBurn
    • Command: explorer "shell:CD Burning"
  • Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsPrograms and Features
    • Command: explorer "shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsWindows Tools
    • Command: explorer "shell:Common Administrative Tools"
  • 📂%ProgramData%
    • Command: explorer "shell:Common AppData"
  • 📂%Public%Desktop
    • Command: explorer "shell:Common Desktop"
  • 📂%Public%Documents
    • Command: explorer "shell:Common Documents"
  • 📂%Public%Downloads
    • Command: explorer "shell:CommonDownloads"
  • 📂%Public%Music
    • Command: explorer "shell:CommonMusic"
  • 📂%Public%Pictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:CommonPictures"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms
    • Command: explorer "shell:Common Programs"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsRingtones
    • Command: explorer "shell:CommonRingtones"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart Menu
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup
    • Command: explorer "shell:Common Startup"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsTemplates
    • Command: explorer "shell:Common Templates"
  • 📂%Public%Videos
    • Command: explorer "shell:CommonVideo"
  • Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsSync CenterConflicts
    • Command: explorer "shell:ConflictFolder"
  • Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsNetwork Connections
    • Command: explorer "shell:ConnectionsFolder"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Contacts
    • Command: explorer "shell:Contacts"
  • Control PanelAll Control Panel Items
    • Command: explorer "shell:ControlPanelFolder"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsINetCookies
    • Command: explorer "shell:Cookies"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftCredentials
    • Command: explorer "shell:CredentialManager"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftCrypto
    • Command: explorer "shell:CryptoKeys"
  • Desktop
    • Command: explorer "shell:Desktop"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsDeviceMetadataStore
    • Command: explorer "shell:Device Metadata Store"
  • LibrariesDocuments
    • Command: explorer "shell:DocumentsLibrary"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Downloads
    • Command: explorer "shell:Downloads"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftProtect
    • Command: explorer "shell:dpapiKeys"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Favorites
    • Command: explorer "shell:Favorites"
  • 📂%WinDir%Fonts
    • Command: explorer "shell:Fonts"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsGameExplorer
    • Command: explorer "shell:GameTasks"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsHistory
    • Command: explorer "shell:History"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick LaunchUser PinnedImplicitAppShortcuts
    • Command: explorer "shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts"
  • Libraries
    • Command: explorer "shell:Libraries"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Links
    • Command: explorer "shell:Links"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%
    • Command: explorer "shell:Local AppData"
  • 📂%UserProfile%AppDataLocalLow
    • Command: explorer "shell:LocalAppDataLow"
  • This PC Documents
    • Command: explorer "shell:Local Documents"
  • This PC Downloads
    • Command: explorer "shell:Local Downloads"
  • This PC Music
    • Command: explorer "shell:Local Music"
  • This PC Pictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:Local Pictures"
  • This PC Videos
    • Command: explorer "shell:Local Videos"
  • LibrariesMusic
    • Command: explorer "shell:MusicLibrary"
  • This PC
    • Command: explorer "shell:MyComputerFolder"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Music
    • Command: explorer "shell:My Music"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Pictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:My Pictures"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Videos
    • Command: explorer "shell:My Video"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftWindowsNetwork Shortcuts
    • Command: explorer "shell:NetHood"
  • Network
    • Command: explorer "shell:NetworkPlacesFolder"
  • OneDrive
    • Command: explorer "shell:OneDrive"
  • 📂%UserProfile%OneDrivePicturesCamera Roll
    • Command: explorer "shell:OneDriveCameraRoll"
  • 📂%UserProfile%OneDriveDocuments
    • Command: explorer "shell:OneDriveDocuments"
  • 📂%UserProfile%OneDriveMusic
    • Command: explorer "shell:OneDriveMusic"
  • 📂%UserProfile%OneDrivePictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:OneDrivePictures"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Documents
    • Command: explorer "shell:Personal"
  • LibrariesPictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:PicturesLibrary"
  • All Control Panel ItemsPrinters
    • Command: explorer "shell:PrintersFolder"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftWindowsPrinter Shortcuts
    • Command: explorer "shell:PrintHood"
  • 📂%UserProfile%
    • Command: explorer "shell:Profile"
  • 📂%ProgramFiles%
    • Command: explorer "shell:ProgramFiles"
  • ProgramFiles%Common Files
    • Command: explorer "shell:ProgramFilesCommon"
  • 📂%ProgramFiles%Common Files
    • Command: explorer "shell:ProgramFilesCommonX64"
  • %ProgramFiles(x86)%Common Files
    • Command: explorer "shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86"
  • 📂%ProgramFiles%
    • Command: explorer "shell:ProgramFilesX64"
  • %ProgramFiles(x86)%
    • Command: explorer "shell:ProgramFilesX86"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms
    • Command: explorer "shell:Programs"
  • 📂%Public%
    • Command: explorer "shell:Public"
  • 📂%Public%AccountPictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:PublicAccountPictures"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsGameExplorer
    • Command: explorer "shell:PublicGameTasks"
  • 📂%Public%Libraries
    • Command: explorer "shell:PublicLibraries"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch
    • Command: explorer "shell:Quick Launch"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftWindowsRecent
    • Command: explorer "shell:Recent"
  • Recycle Bin
    • Command: explorer "shell:RecycleBinFolder"
  • 📂%WinDir%Resources
    • Command: explorer "shell:ResourceDir"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsRetailDemo
    • Command: explorer "shell:Retail Demo"
  • 📂%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsRingtones
    • Command: explorer "shell:Ringtones"
  • 📂%AppData%MicrosoftWindowsRoamingTiles
    • Command: explorer "shell:Roaming Tiles"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Saved Games
    • Command: explorer "shell:SavedGames"
  • 📂%UserProfile%PicturesSaved Pictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:SavedPictures"
  • LibrariesSaved Pictures
    • Command: explorer "shell:SavedPicturesLibrary"
  • 📂%UserProfile%PicturesScreenshots
    • Command: explorer "shell:Screenshots"
  • 📂%UserProfile%Searches
    • Command: explorer "shell:Searches"
  • 📂%LocalAppData%MicrosoftWindowsConnectedSearchHistory
    • Command: explorer "shell:SearchHistoryFolder"
  • 📂%WinDir%System32
    • Command: explorer "shell:System"
  • 📂%WinDir%
    • Command: explorer "shell:Windows"
  • 📂%UserProfile%
    • Command: explorer "shell:UsersFilesFolder"
  • 📂%WinDir%SysWOW64
    • Command: explorer "shell:SystemX86"

Execution completes successfully.

Conclusion:

  • This detailed guide provides a comprehensive list of commands to open Windows shell folders, serving as a valuable resource for users navigating file paths.
  • If you have any corrections or additional insights to contribute, please feel free to share them using the comments section below.

How to open shell command in 🪟 Windows 11?

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box. Then, type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt, or type powershell to open Windows PowerShell.

How do I list all shell commands?

Windows 11 lacks a single master command to list every available shell directory natively. However, users can explore common shell commands by opening Command Prompt or PowerShell and typing commands like dir or help. Countless other shortcuts exist for specific system applets, such as shell:Downloads.

What are Windows shell commands?

Windows shell commands are special shortcuts that let you quickly open specific folders or settings. Instead of navigating through menus, you can type a command like shell:Downloads in the Run box or File Explorer to go straight to that location.

What are the basic shell commands?

Some basic and useful shell commands include shell:Downloads to open your Downloads folder, shell:Documents for your Documents, and shell:Desktop for your Desktop. You can type these into the Run box (Windows key + R) to access them quickly.

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Tags: #Windows 11
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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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