Getting the user's 'My Documents' folder

[John E]

Is there a simple API call to obtain the current user's 'My Documents' folder? I know about SHGetSpecialFolderLocation() but for some strange reason it requires a HWND as the first parameter (not sure if it can be NULL). I also know there are (mostly convoluted) ways of finding this info from the registry - but I just wondered if there's anything a bit more straightforward?

[Alex F]

SHGetSpecialFolderLocation is obsolete, use SHGetFolderPath with CSIDL_PERSONAL. hwndOwner parameter can be NULL.

[cilu]

Yes, but that can be NULL. See SHGetFolderPath() also.

[krmed]

Not sure if this will help as it doesn't give you the "My Documents" folder, however it can point you to the user data area...

Take a look at the environment variables:
APPDATA
HOMEDRIVE and HOMEPATH
USERPROFILE

They will point you to where the user specific items are stored.

Hope it helps.