GWKB1093 : Location of Window-Eyes Program and User Files

Product: Window-Eyes
Author: Aaron Smith
Date Added: 10/09/2008
Last Modified: 10/10/2008

Beginning with version 6.1, Window-Eyes conforms to the Microsoft standard practice of keeping application files and user data files separate rather than combined in a single directory.

Program Files

Window-Eyes program files, or the files necessary to run the main Window-Eyes application, are stored in the Program Files directory located on the root of the Home or System Drive. A contained folder called GW Micro contains all directories that pertain to GW Micro software. Window-Eyes program files are stored in a Window-Eyes folder under the GW Micro folder. The default Window-Eyes program file path on a system whose home drive is C:\, would be:

C:\Program Files\GW Micro\Window-Eyes

User Files (such as Sets, Scripts, etc.)

Window-Eyes user files, or those files created by the end user (such as set files, scripts, dictionaries, and so on) are stored in a location separate from the program files for security and portability. Under Windows 2000 and XP, user files are stored in a directory containing the currently logged in user's name under a root directory called Documents and Settings. Window-Eyes user data is then stored under an directory inside the user directory called Application Data . The hierarchy of directories that lead to the specific Window-Eyes user files from the Application Data directory is the same as that used under Program Files mentioned above. The default Window-Eyes user file path on a Windows 2000/Windows XP system whose home drive is C:\, would be:

C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\GW Micro\Window-Eyes\users\default

Under Windows Vista, user files are stored in a directory containing the currently logged in user's name under a root directory called Users. Window-Eyes user data is then stored under a directory inside the user directory called AppData. Another directory exists inside the AppData directory called Roaming. The hierarchy of directories that lead to the specific Window-Eyes user files from the AppData\Roaming directory is the same as that used under Program Files mentioned above. The default Window-Eyes user file path on a Windows Vista system whose home drive is C:\, would be: 

C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\GW Micro\Window-Eyes\users\default

Additional Window-Eyes user accounts are stored alternative directories under the users directory.

Accessing Files Quickly

You can quickly gain access to the user files for the current Window-Eyes user by activating the Open Profile Path button in the Set Active Profile dialog available from the Window-Eyes File menu (assuming the Window-Eyes menu level is set to advanced). After activating the Open Profile Path button, a Windows Explorer window will open, containing all of the files associated with that Window-Eyes user profile.

Alternatively, you can use environment variables to access these file locations quickly. Environment variables are names enclosed with percent (%) signs. For example, the environment variable that represents the Program Files directory is called %ProgramFiles%. The environment variable that represents the current Windows user's application data directory is %AppData%. You can retrieve a list of all available environment variables by activating the Environment Variables button in the System Properties control panel under the Advanced tab. You can also issue the set command in a command prompt to display a list of all defined environment variables.

These environment variables can be used in the run dialog to open a directory quickly in Windows Explorer. For example, to access the Window-Eyes program file directory, you could enter the following into the Run dialog in the Start menu, followed by Enter:

%wineyes%
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