The FileSystemObject VBA GetSpecialFolder function returns the path to the specified special folder (Windows, System or Temporary folder).
This function is especially useful if you are looking for a directory to create temporary processing files to avoid creating junk files in default user folders.
VBA FileSystemObject Methods
- BuildPath
- CopyFile
- CopyFolder
- CreateFolder
- CreateTextFile
- DeleteFile
- DeleteFolder
- DriveExists
- FileExists
- FolderExists
- GetAbsolutePathName
- GetBaseName
- GetDrive
- GetDriveName
- GetExtensionName
- GetFile
- GetFileName
- GetFolder
- GetParentFolderName
- GetSpecialFolder
- GetTempName
- MoveFile
- MoveFolder
- OpenTextFile
VBA GetSpecialFolder Syntax
fso.GetSpecialFolder( folderconstant )
folderconstant
One of 3 values (constants):
| Folder | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| WindowsFolder | 0 | Windows folder usually “C:\Windows” |
| SystemFolder | 1 | System folder usually containing libraries, fonts, device drivers this is usually “C:\Windows\System32” |
| TemporaryFolder | 2 | Temporary user folder. This is usually “C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Temp” |
In case you have not referenced Microsoft Scripting Runtime library in VBA Project use 0-2 values instead.
VBA GetSpecialFolder Examples
'Late Binding (w/o referencing Microsoft Scripting Runtime)
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
fso.GetSpecialFolder(1) 'Result: "C:\Windows\System32"
'Early Binding (referencing Microsoft Scripting Runtime)
Dim fso As FileSystemObject
Set fso = New FileSystemObject
fso.GetSpecialFolder(WindowsFolder) 'Result: "C:\Windows"
