What is SharePoint 2010 14 hive directory?

Introduction

If you are familiar with SharePoint 2007, you must be aware of the "12 hive" directory. In SharePoint 2010, the "12 hive" directory has been replaced by "14 hive" directory. In most cases this is the default path for SharePoint files.

Following are some of the folders in the "14 hive" directory:

1. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14 - This directory is the installation directory for core SharePoint Server files.
2. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\ADMISAPI - This directory contains the SOAP services for Central Administration. If this directory is altered, remote site creation and other methods exposed in the service will not function correctly.
3. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\CONFIG - This directory contains files used to extend IIS Web sites with SharePoint Server. If this directory or its contents are altered, Web application provisioning will not function correctly.
4. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\LOGS - This directory contains setup and run-time tracing logs.

Following are some new folders added in the "14 hive" directory:

1. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\Policy
2. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\UserCode - This directory contains files used to support your sandboxed solutions.
3. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\WebClients - This directory contains files related to the new Client Object Model.
4. Program Files\Common files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\WebServices - This directory contains new WCF or .svc related files.

Hope this helps ease any confusion..!