Default pictures folder appears in documents folder

Filippo Taurian 41 Reputation points
2023-08-22T15:05:28.48+00:00

I was testing a C++ program that loops trough all the files and subdirectories inside a given directory, and when i tried to list the files inside the default "Documents" directory, I've found out that inside "Documents" there was the default "Pictures" directory, although when I open the file explorer and look inside the "Documents" folder I cannot find any folder other the ones i created. Than I tried using the cmd to search inside the "Documents" directory to see if "Pictures" would appear, and it does. Using the cmd I also discovered that from any of the default directories I can access the other default directories, but when I try using the "dir" command it tells me that the given directory does not exist. I tried this on different laptops and PCs: sometimes the "Pictures" directory does appear, sometimes doesn't, but from any given computer i could access other default directories using the cmd. Can someone explain me this?

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Other
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  1. Anonymous
    2023-09-20T05:59:52.4033333+00:00

    Hello  Filippo Taurian 

    What you're experiencing is likely due to a feature in Windows called "Known Folders Redirection." Known Folders Redirection is a system feature that redirects certain default folders, such as "Documents," "Pictures," "Downloads," etc., to a different location on your computer, which may not be immediately visible in File Explorer.

    Best regards,

    Karlie Weng

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