Windows 7: Create variables for directories - how it works

Instead of clicking through endless directories, you can also create variables in Windows 7. These shortcuts will immediately take you to the specified folders.

Create environment variables in Windows 7

Windows 7 already offers several environment variables: For example, "% programdata%" opens the location of your programs. "% Systemroot%", on the other hand, will take you to the Windows folder. You can also create your own variables in the system settings:

1. To do this, start the Control Panel and click on "System".
2. In the left column, select the entry "Advanced system settings" and then "Environment variables".
3. Now click on "New" to create a variable. The user variables only apply to the user who is currently logged in (image: marker 1). For general shortcuts, on the other hand, you have to set up a system variable (picture: marker 2).
4. Now give your variable a name and enter the file path of the folder in the second line. Save the settings with "Ok".
5. Then press the key combination [Windows] + [R]. In the new window, enter your defined variable with percent signs, such as "% pictures%". The previously defined directory opens automatically.

Instead of creating variables, you can also create links for your directories. We show you how this works here.