local paths of users computer (XP vs W7)

[DaveRook]

Hi

My WPF (C#) application creates a new folder in the users documents folder.

There are many differences in folder structures between XP and W7. This is from the MSDN website

XP/Server 2003
ApplicationData: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application Data
CommonApplicationData: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
CommonProgramFiles: C:\Program Files\Common Files
DesktopDirectory: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Desktop
LocalApplicationData: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data
MyDocuments: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents
ProgramFiles: C:\Program Files
System: C:\WINDOWS\system32

Vista/Win7/Server 2008
ApplicationData: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming
CommonApplicationData: C:\ProgramData
ProgramFiles: C:\Program Files
CommonProgramFiles: C:\Program Files\Common Files
DesktopDirectory: C:\Users\<user name>\Desktop
LocalApplicationData: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local
MyDocuments: C:\Users\<user name>\Documents
System: C:\WINDOWS\system32

So, how do I create this folder when the location is different depending on OS?

Is it best to "if else" the OS and have different rules set up depending on the OS? Should I use something similar to:
Uri u = new Uri("../Data/Basket.xml", UriKind.Relative);
and save it to a folder within my app (although I'm not sure this will work after I deploy it on multiple computers or even if it is possible)

My question is, what is the best approach? A suggestion above or other! :)

Thanks

Dave

[Christian Binder]

You could use the following
Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolde r.MyDocuments);
(this returns a path-string)

There may be other useful paths in the SpecialFolder-enum.

[DaveRook]

Ha ha, I didn't realise it was under specialfolders. I had used this method for a different project and didn't think about it! D'oh.

Thank you, that has answered it

[Paul Johnson]

You also have the additional fun (if you really want to) of those running your program using Mono on a non-Windows platform ;)

[DaveRook]

Let's not complicate things :)

Actually, thankfully, I work in a small company - so I can ensure that it's PC only and only for W7, Vista and XP

Thanks all