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My question is very similar to this one, but I'd like to know how the paths for libraries are defined. Similarly, I didn't see them in the environmental variable paths, nor in the App Path registry key (which makes sense, since these aren't applications that have been installed). Is there a different key that pertain to these paths?

EDIT: It looks like I've received an answer that might address my original question, only I'm not able to conceptualize or translate it into what I need actioned, so I've returned to add additional details.

The reason why I'm asking is because I've moved my library folders to different locations. By default, they are pointed to C:\users\<username>\. but seeing as how this is an M.2 SSD for me, I'd prefer not to clutter it with media files and documents, etc. Instead, I've created the corresponding directory path only on a separate drive, D:\users\<username>\.. However, it seems that whatever mechanism is responsible for pointing these libraries to their original path does not update dynamically for when they are called upon through the run dialog prompt; that is, they are still pointed to the old location. I've tested this by creating a folder with the same name at the old path and typing music or downloads, etc., will open the dummy folder. Once the dummy folder is deleted, it will simply show:

Error Screenshot

So I'm trying to understand where that path is defined in order to go in and update it myself. My apologies for not including all these details to begin with, I was expecting the answer would be a simple registry key value or such.

Arctiic
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I think you're looking for the values found under this registry key:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

This is where folders "required" to exist for each user are associated with file system locations.

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Normally, these values are updated when you change a system folder's file system location via the Location tab of the folder's Properties dialog.

Opening Music from the Run dialog should open the same folder as the Music folder under This PC which should be the same folder when you type either shell:My Music or shell:Local Music in the Address bar.

If you've already deleted them, like your Videos error, re-create the folders in the default locations and then (quite possibly after you sign out and back in) the folder's Properties dialog will have a Location tab and you can then use the Move button to point them to your newly-created folders.

Keith Miller
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Windows uses a Quick Access approach for File Explorer and so just uses the real folder for finding file contents.

Since this is part of the File Explorer App, there is nothing additional to put in the Environment Variable or in the Path.

This applies to numerous folders within the File Explorer App.

Libraries (in your Question) are a Quick Access folder (not a system folder) pointing to the items in the Library (normally Documents, Pictures, Photos and like). Libraries are not heavily used in my experience.

If you look in some non-Windows File Managers (I use xPlorer2) Quick Access does not show.

Regular folders (not Quick Access type) are in the Path. Any folder needed for the RUN command to work, will be in the Path.

So I'm trying to understand where that path is defined in order to go in and update it myself.

If you change the location of Documents and like folders using the folder properties in Windows File Explorer to another drive, the Environment should change with it.

Windows Quick Access

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Here is an excerpt of path showing regular Path variables.

Windows Path Excerpt