I tried changing the 'start in' box for WMP so it'd go to a different
directory, but it keeps defaulting to c:\program files\windows media
player

WMP stores the last opened directory (only if you open a file and play it)
in a registry value named "OpenDir". But, if you click File - Open and
cancel the dialog once, the last open directory is reset to "C:\Program
Files\Windows Media Player"

To set the "OpenDir" to your preferred location everytime you launch WMP,
you may use this script:

-----------------Cut here-------------------------------------
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
StartDir = "F:\Album"
WshShell.RegWrite _
"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Settings\OpenDir",StartDir,"REG_SZ"
WshShell.Run "wmplayer", 1,True
Set WshShell = Nothing

-----------------Cut here--------------------------------------

Copy the above contents to Notepad, and save as wmp.vbs. Double-click
wmp.vbs to launch Windows Media Player. You may place the VBS in your Quick
Launch folder for each access.

FYI: The "StartDir" is set to "F:\Album". Modify the path accordingly.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I tried changing the 'start in' box for WMP so it'd go to a different
> directory, but it keeps defaulting to c:\program files\windows media
> player
>

Ramesh, MS-MVP wrote:
> WMP stores the last opened directory (only if you open a file and
play it)
> in a registry value named "OpenDir". But, if you click File - Open
and
> cancel the dialog once, the last open directory is reset to
"C:\Program
> Files\Windows Media Player"

thanks, that works. As soon as I opened/played a song from the folder I
wanted instead of clicking cancel, it set the directory for the next
time WMP opened. So, that works, I don't need to do the registry thing.

'interestingly' it seems that the 'start in' option on the WMP icon has
no effect.

You're welcome.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> Ramesh, MS-MVP wrote:
>> WMP stores the last opened directory (only if you open a file and
> play it)
>> in a registry value named "OpenDir". But, if you click File - Open
> and
>> cancel the dialog once, the last open directory is reset to
> "C:\Program
>> Files\Windows Media Player"
>
> thanks, that works. As soon as I opened/played a song from the folder I
> wanted instead of clicking cancel, it set the directory for the next
> time WMP opened. So, that works, I don't need to do the registry thing.
>
> 'interestingly' it seems that the 'start in' option on the WMP icon has
> no effect.
>