What's the appropriate folder for an application's configuration files

Question

What's the appropriate folder for an application's configuration files

mjeschke 40

I'm developing a C# Windows Form application in Visual Studio 2022 but probably besides the point. The tag dropdown confuses me. I digress...

Is there a more appropriate location to store application configuration information then under "program files" folder? Ideally I kind of like it in the program files folder but don't want to mess with "administrator privilege's" to run the program.

BACKSTORY: My application has an XML file it references containing settings. These settings are editable through a form that is launched via menu strip on the main application. Application runs perfectly if I launch it with administrator privilege's. Otherwise it crashes upon opening that form referencing the file. Pretty sure because I'm storing those configuration files in the applications root folder under "program files".

Viorel 124.9K Reputation points

2025-09-20T07:28:33.48+00:00
There is already an available feature: go to Project Properties, to Settings, and define the general and user-specific settings.

To read the values programmatically:

https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/dotnet/desktop/winforms/advanced/how-to-read-settings-at-run-time-with-csharp

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Viorel 124.9K Reputation points

2025-09-20T07:28:33.48+00:00

There is already an available feature: go to Project Properties, to Settings, and define the general and user-specific settings.

To read the values programmatically:

https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/dotnet/desktop/winforms/advanced/how-to-read-settings-at-run-time-with-csharp

Answer 1

Castorix31 91,191

There is an old Blog article :

Where Should I Write Program Data Instead of Program Files?

Answer 2

KOZ6.0 6,735

You can use ApplicationData or CommonApplicationData.

// C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming
var userData = System.Environment.GetFolderPath(
             System.Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData);

// C:\ProgramData
var commonData = System.Environment.GetFolderPath(
             System.Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData);

mjeschke 40 Reputation points

2025-09-24T16:00:04.2433333+00:00

Oh wow that's very helpful! I'd created a XML file to hold the data. I may have to switch that up. Thanks!

Answer 3

ALI AMIN 0

This discussion about configuration file storage is really useful — especially the point about avoiding Program Files and instead using ApplicationData or CommonApplicationData. In a similar way, users in Pakistan benefit from digital tools that make daily tasks easier, like platforms where they can check electricity bills online without hassle. Thanks for sharing these best practices!

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What's the appropriate folder for an application's configuration files

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