When you hear of folder names like {4234d49b-0245-4df3-B780-3893943456e1}, references to a ‘god mode’ folder, and more, it can definitely arouse your curiosity and make you want to learn all about them. With that in mind, today’s SuperUser Q&A post has the answer to a curious reader’s questions.
Today’s Question & Answer session comes to us courtesy of SuperUser—a subdivision of Stack Exchange, a community-driven grouping of Q&A web sites.
Photo courtesy of John Fowler (Flickr).
The Question
SuperUser reader simplegamer wants to know what these special folder names are and how they work:
What are these special folder names and how do they work?
If I enter shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} in the Windows Explorer address bar, then I have access to the same place. What exactly is this? Are there any other shortcuts like this?
I have also found out that {4234d49b-0245-4df3-B780-3893943456e1} opens an Applications folder.
Note: It is not my intention to create a custom Control Panel, I just want more information about these types of shell links.
The Answer
SuperUser contributor Steven has the answer for us:
Special Note
This page, Canonical Names of Control Panel Items, contains a list of Control Panel canonical names, such as:
Another page, KNOWNFOLDERID, contains a list of additional known folders (with GUID’s).
You can learn more about god mode and other GUIDs in Windows by reading through our article here:
Stupid Geek Tricks: Enable the Secret “How-To Geek” Mode in Windows 7
Have something to add to the explanation? Sound off in the comments. Want to read more answers from other tech-savvy Stack Exchange users? Check out the full discussion thread here.
