What is the ".netbeans" directory? What is a userdir and where can I find it?

userdir is the directory where NetBeans stores user configuration data such as window layouts, editor settings, menu and toolbar customizations and various module settings.

Per default, it is a (hidden) directory called .netbeans stored in the user's home directory. The home directory is (=${HOME}= on Unix-like systems, C:\Documents and Settings\<user> on Windows) under .netbeans/<nb-version>. As the name suggests, userdir is unique per user.

Modules can use userdir to store persistent data (for example, source and library file databases and indexes). Also, additional modules installed by the user are typically stored in the userdir.

To find out the exact userdir location go to the main menu, invoke the NetBeans | About NetBeans.

Examples

• A Windows user jdoe running NetBeans 5.0 is likely to find his userdir under
  C:\Documents and Settings\jdoe\.netbeans\5.0\
• A Windows Vista user jdoe running NetBeans 5.0 is likely to find his userdir under
  C:\Users\jdoe\.netbeans\5.0\
• A Linux user jdoe running NetBeans 5.0 is likely to find his userdir under
  /home/jdoe/.netbeans/5.0/
• A Mac OS X user jdoe running NetBeans 5.0 is likely to find his userdir under
  /Users/jdoe/.netbeans/5.0/ (To open this folder in the Finder, choose Go --> Go to Folder, type /Users/jdoe/.netbeans/5.0/ into the box provided and click GO.

Applies to: NetBeans 3.6, 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 5.5, 5.5.1, 6.0

Platforms: All

Links

• Can I use alternate userdir?