What is a Home Directory?

A home directory is a computer file system directory dedicated to a specific user. It features all of a user’s personal documents and media files, his bookmarks, cache and, in the case of a Windows PC, his start menu configuration and desktop. A properly configured computer can have home directories customized for each of several users.

On a computer with a multi-user operating system, home directories are used to separate private files, thereby preventing users from accessing each other’s files. A home directory also provides a user with his own space in which to store personal files. More importantly, it prevents user files from taking up valuable space in the root directory, which is the top directory — and the one used by system administrators to quickly access important system files.

In particular, the dynamics of a home directory are defined by the specific operating system being used. Computer systems with the Microsoft Windows operating system name the user directory after the username and store it in a folder called Documents and Settings. Within the folder, user files are further categorized into specific sub-directories such as My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, Start Menu, and Desktop. Unix-based and Mac OS X systems also base the home directory on the specific user’s username, though the specific contents of each is different. For instance, Macintosh computers do not have a My Documents folder.

Regardless of operating system, the home directory is used to protect privacy, reduce data redundancy, and maintain strict security. In case a user accidentally accesses a virus or worm, for instance, the only thing affected will be the user’s files, all of which are stored in the home directory. This prevents the actual system files from becoming corrupted, which in turn simplifies the cleanup process for the system administrator.

Home directories also simplify the process of making backups. All a user must do is make a copy of his home folder. This allows him to easily transfer his files and settings from one computer to another.

Home directories are especially popular in large-scale networks, because they allow the system administrator to more easily manage all user files. They also make it more convenient for the user. Each user typically is provided with a home directory that is stored on a central server. When a user logs in to any computer that is tied to the network, the home directory is pulled and used to set up the interface according to the user’s pre-configured preferences. In case the administrator needs to access the user’s files, he can simply log directly into the central server.