A folder is a user representation of the name space. Directories are folders (usually - if you can see them they are). A directory is a file system construct.

Some non directory folders are Control Panel and Scheduled Tasks (though it has a directory based data store).

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http://webdiary.smh.com.au/archives/...nt/001075.html
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"Stan Brown" <the_stan_brown@fastmail.fm> wrote in message news:MPG.1db46c366028926b989978@news.individual.ne t...
> On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 09:34:07 +0530 in
> microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize, Ramesh, MS-MVP favored us
> with...
>> The context-menu entries for Directories is built from these locations in
>> the registry. The same applies for the Start button in the Taskbar
>>
>> [HKCR\Folder\Shell]
>> [HKCR\Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers]
>> [HKCR\Directory\Shell]
>> [HKCR\Directory\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers]
>> [HKCR\AllFilesystemObjects\shell]
>> [HKCR \ AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
>>
>> Note:
>> - - - -
>> 1. AllFilesystemObjects is not specific to Folders.
>> 2. HKCR implies HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
>
> What's the difference between "Folder" and "Directory"?
>
> --
> Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
> http://OakRoadSystems.com/
> "You find yourself amusing, Blackadder."
> "I try not to fly in the face of public opinion."