# PC Paths to Files: Now You See It, Now You Don't **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 14, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583 "2017-11-14T02:42:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/1 "2017-11-14T02:42:47Z")
How do you explain the following, and what can I do about it? I can find a file using the following command: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\ which does show me the path I need. …but! When I try to follow this very same path using “My Computer”, a subfolder in the path doesn’t appear! What the heck is going on here, and what’s the solution? Note: I have Win 10 Pro. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/2 "2017-11-14T02:53:20Z")
The %localappdata% part is just a variable for a big chunk of the path so it can get to the final folders without having to know who you are. On my PC, the actual path to %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\ is c:\users[my user id]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook. So, the %localappdate% is essentially the same as c:\users[my user id]\AppData\Local. In Win10, if you click on Start and just start typing the name of the file or folder you want to find, it’ll start searching for it. Does that work for you? ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/3 "2017-11-14T05:01:27Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > How do you explain the following, and what can I do about it? I can find a file using the following command: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\ which does show me the path I need. > > …but! When I try to follow this very same path using “My Computer”, a subfolder in the path doesn’t appear! What the heck is going on here, and what’s the solution? Note: I have Win 10 Pro. It’s probably a hidden folder. ---
**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/4 "2017-11-14T12:16:14Z")
“My Computer” is the ultimate root of your machine. AFAIK, the only ‘path’ that might apply would be the actual name (network name) of the machine. ---
**Author:** ![Mavic\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mavic\_Chen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mavic_Chen)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/5 "2017-11-14T12:31:27Z")
Read this to find out how to show hidden files and folders: > **[How to Show Hidden Files in Windows 10](https://www.technipages.com/show-hidden-files-windows)** > > How to enable Microsoft Windows 10 to show all hidden files when you explore drivers and folders. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/6 "2017-11-14T12:38:46Z")
C:\Users[UserName]\AppData is a hidden folder. Use the instructions already given to show it. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/7 "2017-11-15T03:11:57Z")
SD saves the day again! I figured it was a hidden folder, and I was trying to “unhide” it using the older way from older versions of Windows (under “Properties”). When I did this, it appeared as if there were nothing to “unhide”. With Win 10, I am still not quite accustomed to everything in the ribbon bar at the top. I would have never found where to check the box to show hidden files. Who knew Microsoft actually made this so simple? Oh, that’s right…you all did! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-paths-to-files-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/801583/8 "2017-11-16T04:13:06Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > SD saves the day again! I figured it was a hidden folder, and I was trying to “unhide” it using the older way from older versions of Windows (under “Properties”). When I did this, it appeared as if there were nothing to “unhide”. With Win 10, I am still not quite accustomed to everything in the ribbon bar at the top. I would have never found where to check the box to show hidden files. Who knew Microsoft actually made this so simple? Oh, that’s right…you all did! 😃 The rule of thumb with any feature in Windows or MS Office is - If it is particularly useful or necessary the feature will either be hidden or deleted in the next version.