Re: VS2008 SpecialDirectories.AllUsersApplicationData vs. Setup Project [CommonAppDataFolder]

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Thanks for your reply Dan,

Yes, in windows Vista, the user profile folder hierarchy has changed a
bit(make it more simple and elegant ) from previous versions. Anyway, I'm
glad that you've got it working.

Have a nice day!

Sincerely,

Steven Cheng

Microsoft MSDN Online Support Lead


Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments and
suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you. Please
feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
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--------------------
Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:11:58 -0400
From: Dan Stevens <TOADLLC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
User-Agent: Thunderbird 1.5.0.14 (Windows/20071210)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: Re: VS2008 SpecialDirectories.AllUsersApplicationData vs. Setup
Project
l

Steven-
Thank you very much. I was able to make your suggestion work.
I used:
System.Environment.GetFolderPath(System.Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApp
licationData)
and
[CommonAppDataFolder] in the Setup Project

I also discovered that apparently C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Application Data\ is aliased in Vista as C:\ProgramData\.
I knew Unix did that sort of thing...but this is the first time I've
noticed Windows doing it.

Thank$ a million!


Steven Cheng [MSFT] wrote:
Hi Dan,

As for the special directories(in VBNET app) and the Speical folders in
setup project, there does exists difference between them. Actually, the
VBNET's speical directories may add some addtional value into
ApplicationPath(such as app name and version number). While the setup
project's special folder is mainly related to what is commonly used for
setup a program. here is a list of setup project's folders:

#Special Folders and Custom Folders
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/s2esdf4x(VS.80).aspx

Also, in .net framework, you can use the
System.Environment.SpecialFolder
enum to get a list of common folders on windows system:

#Environment..::.SpecialFolder Enumeration

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.environment.specialfolder.as
px

The Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData seems point to the
"Documents Settings\All Users\Application Data". For the
"AllUsersApplicationData " in VBNET SpecialDirectories class, it is a
parituclar one implemented in VB.NET which doesn't quite conform to the
CommonApplicationData Location. I think you use the
System.Enviornment.SpecialFolders enum.

For sharing data among all users, the common approach is put the data
file
with your application exe together in the Program Files installed
folder.
Or you can use a central server (database) to store large amount of
data.
On vista, there is virtualization feature, this may affect your
application
that access shared , system location. You need to elevate the
application
at admin privilege to access those location. here is an article
mentioned
this:

#Folder Virtualization in Windows Vista
http://www.west-wind.com/WebLog/posts/5584.aspx

Sincerely,

Steven Cheng

Microsoft MSDN Online Support Lead


Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments
and
suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you.
Please
feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
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--------------------
Date: Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:24:42 -0400
From: Dan Stevens <TOADLLC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
User-Agent: Thunderbird 1.5.0.14 (Windows/20071210)

It appears that SpecialDirectories.AllUsersApplicationData refers to
the
following folder in Vista
C:\ProgramData\[Manufacturer]\[ProductName]\[ProductVersion]

I would prefer to reference the following:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\[Manufacturer]\[ProductName]
It appears this is the same as "[CommonAppDataFolder]" in my Setup
Project(File System on Target Machine-->Add Special Folder...)

1. Is there a reason the AllUsersApplicationData differs from
CommonAppDataFolder?

2. Is one location preferred over the other?

3. Why are there differences between
coding - My.Computer.FileSystem.SpecialDirectories...
and
deployment - File System on Target Machine-->Add Special Folder...

4. If I want the data to be shared amongst users, and I don't want the
data-store location to change when I change the version of my app...
...what is the preferred location, and how do I refer to it in coding &
deployment?





.

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