Install few files in Public Documents Directory

[Saranbalu]

I am creating an installer in which I am installing the actual application in ProgramFiles folder. Few supporting files have to be added to the Public Documents directory. This directory would be in different locations based on the OS - Windows XP/Vista/7. But I don't find such a category in the Source Files page under "Destination View" list. There is a [PersonalFolder] but as per LV help, this directory pertains to the Windows user who is currently logged in. So, how do I install these supporting files directly into Public Documents folder?

Thanks,

Saranya

[falkpl]

There is a common file folder you can give this a try.

[PaulieQ]

Sorry I misunderstood your question. Forget what I wrote before.

Hi Saranya,

Try the vi from the attachement. You can select All Users, or current User using the enumeration controll "Requested Path".

Rgds,

Paul

[falkpl]

I might be wrong.  The following link shows the mapping of the installer to OS folders

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/811FACF92E678065862576660077CE21

I often write to a public docs folder from an application but have not had to install from the installer directly into this folder.

[DrWong]

I too use the C:\Users\Public\Public Documents folder is the only location that is open to write and accessible from any User account on that Windows Machine.

I have not had luck configuring LabVIEW 2017 application installer to put files in this directory. When I hand define the c:\Users\Public\Public Documents folder in 'Destinations' tab of the Installer Build and then run the installer. See Installer screen shot.

However, when I run the installer - The result is TWO instances of 'Public Documents' in the C:\Users\Public folder.

Why or how this is occurring, is a mystery. They seem to have exactly the same name.

Regards

Jack Hamilton

[MrJackHamilton]

So the solution is the following: Putting the correct path in the app builder. Window apparently displays a 'false' path in file manager - Adding 'public' in front of Documents in the path bar display?!?!?. The actual path is C:\Users\Public\Documents

This is how the path should be specified in the App Builder:

[billko]

This is probably the result of a symbolic link.  I think Windows uses a few of them to make their system folders look like they are somewhere else.

[billko]

I wonder if there is a way to point to the folder of choice by using its environment variable?  (See here.)  That way the installer will always place it in the correct folder no matter what Windows OS you are using.

[MrJackHamilton]

Bill,

Windows is a mysterious place indeed!. And the long path lengths problems were supposed to go away too...yet we still run into problems with file paths that are too long.

Even thought windows creates the illusion of an abbreviated path...