An IsolatedStorageFile is always persisted to a dedicated location by .NET isolated storage API. Each file, when it is first created, will be granted access at least to the current logged-on user plus other requirements. In other words, an IsolatedStorageFile is created based on isolated requirements called IsolatedStorageScope, for example,
- User + Assembly
- User + Assembly + Domain
- Roaming + User + Assembly
- Roaming + User + Assembly + Domain
- ...
- Machine + Assembly +
- Machine + Assembly + Domain
- ...
The exact location to represent the isolated storage "file system" varies from operating systems.
For user scope (IsolatedStorageScope.User) related, the isolated storage is located at
XP: %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\IsolatedStorage\ Vista: %USERPROFILE%\App Data\Local\IsolatedStorage\For machine or all users scope (IsolatedStorageScope.Machine) related, the isolated storage is located at
XP: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\IsolatedStorage\ Vista: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\App Data\Local\IsolatedStorage\All storage entry points (folders) will be placed under the above location(s). Each of entry point or folder represents a store assigned or automatically created by .NET when an IsolatedStorageFile is first created. Then you can create folders or sub-folders relative to that store location. After that, you can even create another IsolatedStorageFiles under those sub-folders.