title: Windows 7: AppData folder not visible in windows explorer
body: <p>I am somewhat new to Windows 7. I am running a foreign language version
  of Windows 7 (not sure if this matters or not). Anyways, when I use cmd
  to run a command prompt environment and</p>
  
  <p>C:\Users\MyUserNameHere> dir</p>
  
  <p>I don't see the folder named AppData.</p>
  
  <p>When I do the same thing and go and check this out from the windows explorer
  application I also cannot see the AppData folder. However, when I</p>
  
  <p>C:\Users\MyUserNameHere> cd AppData</p>
  
  <p>I can cd to this folder. It is as though this folder is somehow hidden.</p>
  
  <p>So, my questions are:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>What is this folder for, i.e., what is its purpose in Windows 7?
  I see some installations install stuff under
  this folder and others do not. Why?</p></li>
  <li><p>What is the difference between the three directories contained therein:
  Local, LocalLow, and Roaming?
  Do they have different purposes?</p></li>
  <li><p>Can I "unhide" this hidden AppData folder so that I can navigate to it
  with more ease in the windows explorer.exe application?</p></li>
  <li><p>Aptana Studio 3 installed itself under the AppData\Local directory
  whereas webcam shots taken with skype are found under AppData\Roaming.
  Why this choice of directories? (this question is just a special case of 2.)</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Thank you for clarifications,</p>
  
  <p>I also would like to be pointed to a book detailing this sort of things for
  Windows 7 so that I may be able to better use the OS if you don't mind
  suggesting a link or book.</p>