What is the “AppData” folder? What does it do on a PC?
First, let’s go over the basics of the AppData folder with GPIT to answer the question “Is it OK to delete the AppData folder on a PC?”
Many Windows users wonder about the AppData folder and the role of the subfolders inside it. So what exactly does AppData do?
Windows applications usually store data and settings in the AppData (Application Data) folder. Each Windows user account has its own AppData folder. However, this folder is usually hidden, and users can only see it when the “show hidden files” option is enabled in File Explorer.
Where is the AppData folder?
Each user account has an AppData folder with its own separate data. AppData lets Windows programs and apps store different settings when a computer has multiple user accounts. The AppData folder was first introduced in Windows Vista and is still present in Windows 10.
You can find the AppData folder at this path: for example, if the username on the computer is Tien, the AppData folder is at C:UsersTienAppData.
Just copy and paste or type this path into File Explorer to open AppData.
Or you can type the path %appdata% to go straight to AppDataRoaming, which holds all the data of Windows applications.
What AppData does
The AppData folder stores application data, configuration and temporary files that apps and software use on the computer. It holds important information that helps applications work correctly, such as:
– Application configuration: config files and personal settings for applications.
– Application data: data the app needs during operation, such as temporary storage and cache.
– History and user data: browsing history, usage history and other personal information.
What are Local, LocalLow and Roaming?
There are three folders inside AppData: Local, LocalLow and Roaming.
– Roaming (%appdata%): stores data that can move between different user accounts, as long as the computer is joined to a domain and the data is synced through a server. A typical example is a Firefox user profile. This data is stored here so you can access your bookmarks and browsing based on data synced with Firefox servers.
If the computer is not joined to a domain, there is almost no difference between the Roaming and Local (%localappdata%) folders. The only difference is that data does not move with the same user profile.
Application developers split different types of data into folders as needed.
– LocalLow (%appdata%/…/locallow): similar to Local but designed for apps with lower access rights and security. For example, when Internet Explorer’s Protected Mode is enabled, IE’s data goes only into the LocalLow folder.
The difference between these folders does not affect the user experience. However, some apps can only write to a specific folder because they don’t have access to the main Local folder.
If a program needs to create settings or files shared across all users, the ProgramData folder is more suitable. It shares data between all user accounts on the computer rather than creating a separate folder for each user like AppData.
Developers do not always follow this rule, though. For example, Google Chrome stores all its settings and user data in the Local folder, when it should really be in Roaming.
Some apps also store data in other folders such as C:UsersNAME, or the Documents folder, the Registry, and so on. An interesting thing about Windows is that developers can store data anywhere they want.
Is it OK to delete the AppData folder on a PC?
Deleting the AppData folder is not recommended and can cause serious problems, including:
1. Loss of application data: apps will lose their configuration, history and user information. This can stop apps working correctly or wipe personalised settings.
2. Broken applications: some apps may not start or may behave abnormally if important files in AppData are missing.
3. Complex data recovery: recovering deleted files can be complex and time-consuming, and sometimes impossible to fully recover.
Alternatives
If you have a problem with files in AppData or want to free up storage, consider:
1. Clearing the cache: many apps let you clear the cache through their settings, freeing space without affecting other important data.
2. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app: sometimes this resolves issues with AppData.
3. Using a system cleanup tool: tools such as Disk Cleanup on Windows can safely remove temporary and unnecessary files.
Overall, deleting the AppData folder is not a good solution and can cause many problems for your system and apps. Don’t delete it unnecessarily, as it contains important settings and data for the apps installed on your computer. Deleting it can lead to app errors, data loss or even a broken operating system.
Why should users back up the AppData folder?
Most Windows users don’t know the AppData folder exists, which is why it is hidden by default.
In practice, you don’t need to back up the entire AppData folder. But if you want to keep important application data, a backup is necessary to make later recovery easy.
If you only want to back up the AppData data of a specific app, just copy that app’s data folder inside AppData and store it elsewhere. To restore it on another computer, paste the copied folder back into AppData. However, this process can be affected by some app settings stored in the registry.
Today, some programs support data sync between computers, so users rarely need to open AppData to back up. Still, to be safe, understanding and backing up data in AppData is important.
👉 Contact us on +84 945 886 818 today for free advice on effective infrastructure and data management solutions!
