Where Are Linux Special Folders Configured?
The user-dirs files mapping Documents, Downloads and friends on Linux, and how to disable one.
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Linux maps Desktop, Documents, Downloads and friends in ~/.config/user-dirs.dirs: shell style lines like XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR="$HOME/Downloads" that every compliant app reads. System defaults seed from /etc/xdg/user-dirs.defaults, translated per locale at first login.
To disable a special folder, point its line at $HOME; deleting the line just gets it recreated or reset on next login unless updates are disabled. Query the live value with xdg-user-dir DOWNLOAD and set one with xdg-user-dirs-update --set. The actual folders are created localized by the same updater at login.
Where Linux stores this, by platform
~/.config/user-dirs.dirs
Per user mapping ($XDG_CONFIG_HOME respected). Defaults in /etc/xdg/user-dirs.defaults; behavior flags in /etc/xdg/user-dirs.conf plus ~/.config/user-dirs.conf. Actual folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, Templates, Public) created at first login.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove the Templates or Public folder permanently?
Point its XDG line at $HOME instead of deleting it. Deleted lines and missing folders get recreated or reset to $HOME on next login unless you disable updates in user-dirs.conf.
Why is my Downloads folder named differently after changing language?
The updater translates folder names per locale using the user-dirs.locale stamp. Old contents stay in the previous name; move them by hand or repoint with xdg-user-dirs-update --set.
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