MSBuild: How Get AppData Local Directory?

Question

I need help getting the AppData Local directory for MSBuild.

File Explorer:

%LOCALAPPDATA%

C#:

System.Environment.GetFolderPath(System.Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData)

PowerShell:

$([System.Environment]::GetFolderPath("LocalApplicationData"))

I've tried the following four variations to get it for MSBuild:

<PropertyGroup>
    <AppDataLocalDir1>$([System.Environment]::GetFolderPath([System.Environment.SpecialFolder]::LocalApplicationData))</AppDataLocalDir1>
    <AppDataLocalDir2>$([System.Environment]::GetFolderPath([System.Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData]))</AppDataLocalDir2>
    <AppDataLocalDir3>([System.Environment]::GetFolderPath("LocalApplicationData"))</AppDataLocalDir3>
    <AppDataLocalDir4>([System.Environment]::GetFolderPath('LocalApplicationData'))</AppDataLocalDir4>
</PropertyGroup>

I feel that my syntax must be close, as this works to get the current date:

<PropertyGroup>
    <Today>$([System.DateTime]::Now.ToString('yyyy.MM.dd'))</Today>
</PropertyGroup>

I have found sources that state that MSBuild can call [System.Environment]::GetFolderPath, but I cannot find any that show the syntax for passing in an argument.

Thanks a lot in advance.

I found the answer, which is to use $(LocalAppData), which is based on this answer here: stackoverflow.com/a/23120542/10429. I'm leaving the question up, because the question about the calling syntax for .NET classes from MSBuild is still relevant. — Mike Rosenblum
– Mike Rosenblum, Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 16:14

Jonathan Dodds · Accepted Answer · 2022-07-08 14:38:25Z

3

From "Property Functions: GetFolderPath" the syntax for the enum for GetFolderPath is:

<PropertyGroup>
    <AppDataLocalDir>$([System.Environment]::GetFolderPath(SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData))</AppDataLocalDir>
</PropertyGroup>

answered Jul 8, 2022 at 14:38

Jonathan Dodds

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1 Comment

Mike Rosenblum Over a year ago

Thank you Jonathan -- this corrects my syntax for accessing the enum. I was also able to make use of $(LocalAppData), which seems to be practically undocumented.

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