CUsersName

CUsersName is not an official Windows term, but it is commonly used in documentation and examples to denote a user's profile directory on the Windows operating system. In this usage, it represents the standard path C:\Users\<Username>, where <Username> is the user’s logon name. On older Windows versions, the analogous directory was C:\Documents and Settings\<Username>.

Location and purpose

A user profile directory resides on the system drive and stores per-user data and settings. It provides a private space for the user to keep personal files and for applications to save user-specific configurations. The profile is created at first logon and is unique to each account.

Contents and structure

The profile typically contains folders such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Favorites. It also includes a subfolder named AppData, which is further divided into Local, LocalLow, and Roaming. Apps use AppData to store preferences, caches, and other data specific to the user without affecting other accounts.

Environment and permissions

The USERPROFILE environment variable points to the user’s profile path, usually C:\Users\<Username>. In corporate or shared environments, roaming profiles and folder redirection may move parts of the profile or certain folders to network locations, enabling consistent settings across devices. The profile is protected by NTFS permissions, with the owner having full access; administrators can access profiles with elevated rights when needed.

Variants and history

In Windows XP and earlier, the equivalent directory was C:\Documents and Settings\<Username>. The concept of a per-user profile remains central to how Windows stores personal data and settings.