KnownFolders Class

Definition

Namespace:

Windows.Storage

Provides access to common locations that contain user content. This includes content from a user's local libraries (such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos), HomeGroup, removable devices, and media server devices.

[Windows.Foundation.Metadata.ContractVersion(typeof(Windows.Foundation.UniversalApiContract), 65536)]
[Windows.Foundation.Metadata.MarshalingBehavior(Windows.Foundation.Metadata.MarshalingType.Agile)]
public static class KnownFolders

Inheritance

Object KnownFolders

Attributes

ContractVersionAttribute MarshalingBehaviorAttribute

Windows requirements

Device family	Windows 10 (introduced in 10.0.10240.0)
API contract	Windows.Foundation.UniversalApiContract (introduced in v1.0)

Examples

The File access sample shows you how to use the PicturesLibrary property to create a new file in the Pictures library.

StorageFolder storageFolder = KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary;
StorageFile file = await storageFolder.CreateFileAsync("sample.png", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);
// Do something with the new file.

After the CreateFileAsync method completes, the file variable contains a StorageFile that represents the new file.

Remarks

This class is static and cannot be instantiated. Access its properties directly, as shown in the following example.

• StorageFolder storageFolder = KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary;

Prerequisites

To access the folders and libraries represented by the properties of this class, specify the corresponding capabilities in your app manifest. For example, to access KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary, specify the Pictures Library capability in the app manifest. Learn more about capabilities in App capability declarations.

Return value

The properties of the KnownFolders class return a StorageFolder. To work with the known folder and its contents, call the methods and properties of the StorageFolder class.

• For info about how to use pictures, music, and videos in your app, see Audio, video, and camera.
• For general info about how to use files and folders, see Enumerate and query files and folders.

More info

Here's how to access some other commonly used locations.

• Get the app's local folder from the Windows.Storage.ApplicationData.Current.LocalFolder property.
• Get the app's installation folder from the Windows.ApplicationModel.Package.Current.InstalledLocation property.

To learn more about the locations that your app can access, see File access permissions.

Version history

Windows version	SDK version	Value added
1511	10586	GetFolderForUserAsync
2004	19041	GetFolderAsync
2004	19041	RequestAccessAsync
2004	19041	RequestAccessForUserAsync

Properties

AppCaptures	Gets the App Captures folder.
CameraRoll	Gets the Camera Roll folder.
DocumentsLibrary	Gets the Documents library. The Documents library is not intended for general use.
HomeGroup	Gets the HomeGroup folder.
MediaServerDevices	Gets the folder of media server (Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)) devices.
MusicLibrary	Gets the Music library.
Objects3D	Gets the Objects 3D folder.
PicturesLibrary	Gets the Pictures library.
Playlists	Gets the play lists folder.
RecordedCalls	Gets the recorded calls folder.
RemovableDevices	Gets the removable devices folder.
SavedPictures	Gets the Saved Pictures folder.
VideosLibrary	Gets the Videos library.

Methods

GetFolderAsync(KnownFolderId)	Retrieves the folder for the folderId specified.
GetFolderForUserAsync(User, KnownFolderId)	Static method that returns a specified known folder for a User.
RequestAccessAsync(KnownFolderId)	Requests access for the capability controlling access to the folder.
RequestAccessForUserAsync(User, KnownFolderId)	Requests access for the user and folderId.

Applies to

See also

• StorageFile
• StorageFolder
• Windows.Storage.Search
• File access sample
• File access permissions
• Enumerate and query files and folders
• HomeGroup sample (Windows 10)