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FOLDERTYPEID

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The FOLDERTYPEID values represent a view template applied to a folder, usually based on its intended use and contents.

Constant Description
FOLDERTYPEID_Communications
 Introduced in Windows 7. A folder that contains communication-related files such as emails, calendar information, and contact information.
FOLDERTYPEID_CompressedFolder
 The folder is a compressed archive, such as a compressed file with a .zip file name extension.
FOLDERTYPEID_Contacts
 A folder that contains email contact information.
FOLDERTYPEID_ControlPanelCategory
 The Control Panel in category view. This is a virtual folder.
FOLDERTYPEID_ControlPanelClassic
 The Control Panel in classic view. This is a virtual folder.
FOLDERTYPEID_Documents
 The folder contains document files. These can be of mixed format—.doc, .txt, and others.
FOLDERTYPEID_Games
 The folder is the Games folder found in the Start menu.
FOLDERTYPEID_Generic
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder does not fall under one of the other FOLDERTYPEID categories.
FOLDERTYPEID_GenericLibrary
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder is a library, but of no specified type.
FOLDERTYPEID_GenericSearchResults
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder contains search results, but they are of mixed or no specific type.
FOLDERTYPEID_Invalid
 The folder is invalid. There are several things that can cause this judgement: hard disk errors, file system errors, and compression errors among them.
FOLDERTYPEID_Library
 A default library view without a more specific template. This value is not supported in Windows 7 and later systems.
FOLDERTYPEID_Music
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder contains audio files, such as .mp3 and .wma files.
FOLDERTYPEID_MusicDetails
 A list of music files displayed in Details view. This value is not supported in Windows 7 and later systems.
FOLDERTYPEID_MusicIcons
 A list of music files displayed in Icons view. This value is not supported in Windows 7 and later systems.
FOLDERTYPEID_NetworkExplorer
 The Network Explorer folder.
FOLDERTYPEID_NotSpecified
 No particular content type has been detected or specified. This value is not supported in Windows 7 and later systems.
FOLDERTYPEID_OpenSearch
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder contains federated search OpenSearch results.
FOLDERTYPEID_OtherUsers
 Introduced in Windows 7.
FOLDERTYPEID_Pictures
 Image files, such as .jpg, .tif, or .png files.
FOLDERTYPEID_Printers
 Printers that have been added to the system. This is a virtual folder.
FOLDERTYPEID_PublishedItems
 Introduced in Windows 7. A homegroup user's libraries.
FOLDERTYPEID_RecordedTV
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder contains recorded television broadcasts.
FOLDERTYPEID_RecycleBin
 The Recycle Bin. This is a virtual folder.
FOLDERTYPEID_SavedGames
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder contains saved game states.
FOLDERTYPEID_SearchConnector
 Introduced in Windows 7.
FOLDERTYPEID_Searches
 Introduced in Windows 7. A user's Searches folder, normally found at C:\Users\username\Searches.
FOLDERTYPEID_SearchHome
 Introduced in Windows 7.
FOLDERTYPEID_SoftwareExplorer
 The software explorer window used by the Add or Remove Programs control panel icon.
FOLDERTYPEID_StartMenu
 Introduced in Windows 7. A user's Start Menu folder, normally found at C:\Users\username\Start Menu.
FOLDERTYPEID_UserFiles
 The folder is the FOLDERID_UsersFiles folder.
FOLDERTYPEID_UsersLibraries
 Introduced in Windows 7. The view shown when the user clicks the Windows Explorer button on the taskbar.
FOLDERTYPEID_AccountPictures
 Introduced in Windows 8. The folder contains the image files used with the current user's account.
FOLDERTYPEID_Videos
 Introduced in Windows 7. The folder contains video files. These can be of mixed format—.wmv, .mov, and others.
FOLDERTYPEID_StorageProviderGeneric
 Introduced in Windows 8.1. The folder is a MSFT_StorageProvider folder and does not fall under one of the other FOLDERTYPEID categories.
FOLDERTYPEID_StorageProviderDocuments
 Introduced in Windows 8.1. The folder is a MSFT_StorageProvider folder and contains document files. These can be of mixed format—.doc, .txt, and others.
FOLDERTYPEID_StorageProviderPictures
 Introduced in Windows 8.1. The folder is a MSFT_StorageProvider folder and contains image files, such as .jpg, .tif, or .png files.
FOLDERTYPEID_StorageProviderMusic
 Introduced in Windows 8.1. The folder is a MSFT_StorageProvider folder and contains audio files, such as .mp3 and .wma files.
FOLDERTYPEID_StorageProviderVideos
 Introduced in Windows 8.1. The folder is a MSFT_StorageProvider folder and contains video files. These can be of mixed format—.wmv, .mov, and others.

Remarks

FOLDERTYPEID values are GUIDs and are declared in Shlguid.h.

In practice, any FOLDERTYPEID value can be applied to any folder regardless of that folder's contents. The FOLDERTYPEID is a view template only, supplying appropriate layout and columns for the expected folder content. There is no verification of the folder contents against the FOLDERTYPEID value to ensure suitability.

These and other folder types are defined in the registry under the FolderTypes subkey, which is located as shown here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
   SOFTWARE
      Microsoft
         Windows
            CurrentVersion
               Explorer
                  FolderTypes

Requirements

Requirement Value
Minimum supported client
 Windows Vista [desktop apps only]
Minimum supported server
 Windows Server 2008 [desktop apps only]
Header
Shlguid.h