However, many software developers have ignored this convention and as a result, this folder has become a dumping ground for the application data such as files containing settings and saved games.
Microsoft first introduced the "My Documents" folder in Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2, as a standard location for storing user-created files.
In Windows XP and earlier, the path is \Documents and Settings\[user name]\My Documents\ (alias %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\) on boot volume.
[1] However, "My Documents" in Windows Explorer (and file dialog boxes) doesn't appear as an absolute path.
Creating, renaming, moving, or deleting the contents of this folder is not supposed to impact the proper execution of installed software.
However, many software developers have ignored this convention and as a result, this folder has become a dumping ground for the application data such as files containing settings and saved games.
In addition, other user folders are added: "Contacts", "Downloads", "Favorites", "Links", "Saved Games" and "Searches".