Where should an application's default folder live?

Question

Hi:

I'm creating a little app that configures a connected device and then saves the config information in a file. The filename cannot be chosen by the user, but its location can be chosen.

Where is the best place for the app's default save-to folder?

I have seen examples out there where it is the "MyDocuments" location (eg Visual Studio does this).

I have seen a folder created right at the top of the C:\ drive. I find that to be a little obnoxious, personally.

It could be in the Program Files[Manufacturer] or Program Files[Product Name], or wherever the app was installed. I have used this location in the past; I dislike it because Windows Explorer does not allow a user to browse to there very easily ('browsability').

Going with this last notion that 'browsability' is a factor, I suppose MyDocuments is the best choice. Is this the most common, most widely accepted practice?

I think historically we have chosen the install folder because that co-locates the data with the device management utilities. But I would really like to get away from that. I don't want the user to have to go pawing through system files to find his/her data, esp if that person is not too Windows-savvy.

Also, I am using the .NET WinForms FolderBrowserDialog, and the "Environment.SpecialFolders" enum isn't helpful in setting up the dialog to point into the Program Files folder.

Thanks for your input!

Suz.

Answer 1

Opinion: all this documents-and-settings stuff with lots of spaces inside is really misguided, including "my" documents. You always end up having to type it manually at the command line. I would choose a NIH structure under user's harddrive, he will only say thanks.

Answer 2

User data belongs in the user's folder. The (utopian) idea there being that they need only back up their personal folder, and should their computer die a sudden fiery death they would have everything they need to get their computer back up in working order. If all their personal data is scattered across the computer it only serves to confuse the user and destabilize your product.