How to Choose Where a Windows App Stores Local Data — A Decision Table for SQLite / JSON / Registry / Access (archived 2026-07-27)

Where — and in what format — should a Windows desktop app store its data? This article organizes the choice between AppData and ProgramData, and the strengths and pitfalls of SQLite, JSON files, the registry, and Access (.accdb), into a practical decision table, covering corruption countermeasures and bitness issues from a hands-on perspective. Archived version of https://comcomponent.com/en/blog/windows-app-local-data-storage-decision-table/, as published on 2026-07-27. The live article is maintained and may change after this date. First published 2026-07-01.