Where Is the Vim Config File?
Vim vimrc config file and plugin folders on Linux, macOS and Windows, including the underscore naming on Windows.
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Vim reads a vimrc from home on Unix and a differently named _vimrc on Windows. Plugins live in a vimfiles or .vim directory next to it.
The Windows underscore naming surprises everyone once. Same editor, different dotfile convention per platform.
Where Vim stores this, by platform
~/.vimrc
Plugins and colorschemes live in ~/.vim alongside. Confirm the loaded file with :echo $MYVIMRC inside Vim.
~/.vimrc
Same as Linux. MacVim reads the same file.
%USERPROFILE%\_vimrc
Underscore prefix instead of a dot. Plugins go in %USERPROFILE%\vimfiles. Confirm with :echo $MYVIMRC.
Frequently asked questions
Which vimrc is Vim actually using?
Run :echo $MYVIMRC inside Vim. It prints the exact file Vim loaded, settling home-versus-config-dir questions instantly.
Where do Vim plugins go?
Modern plugin managers use ~/.vim/pack or a plugged folder. Native packages go under pack/*/start. Check your plugin manager docs for its exact directory.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.