Configuring Win Explorer to eliminate fluff

[Guest]

One of my big peeves with WinXP is what was done to Windows Explorer(as
opposed to Win98). When I open Windows Explorer I do NOT want to see:
1. A My Documents folder
2. A My Documents folder that is opened

I DO want to see:
1. A tree showing:
All drives (NOT OPENED), by letter. In my case it look like (with NO
directories opened):

My Computer
Floppy Drive (A
Local Disk (C
DVD/CD-RW Drive (D

How do I get Explorer back to the point where it just shows the drive tree
directory data without all of the “Desktopâ€, and “My Documents†cluttering it
up and shown by default (and out of tree order!)? I cannot seem to find a way
to clean it up, even with the Tweak program. Please, help me end years of
frustration. This is such an easy and configurable thing, I cannot believe
that it cannot be done.

 

[Guest]

simply use the windows key + e to enter explorer

 

[Heirloom]

DW,
No need for a "peeve." You simply need to change the Target: path in
the Properties of Windows Explorer. See the following:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/quicktips/qt/exploredefault.htm
http://www.toejumper.net/speed5/winex5.htm
Heirloom, old and opens in C:\

 

[Guest]

Thanks. Thanks a whole lot! That gets me much of what I have long wanted. Two
questions:

1. Is there a way to stop the display of My Documents as an item under the
desktop or anywhere else EXCEPT in its proper tree position? It is out of
order, irritating and I do not use it, preferring to create a new My Docs
folder directly under C: drive. (I have no use for the WinXP programmed
default bias toward networks/multiple users. While useful in some cases and a
handy pre-set for networks/multiple users, I don't want my data buried that
deep.)

2. Can I get Win Explorer to open to the Win+e screen with a short cut? I
prefer that to hot-keys when possible.

 

[Guest]

YEAH, baby!!! NOW we're talkin! Thanks a lot!
DW

 

[Wesley Vogel]

hide a file or folder
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_hide_file.mspx

This will create a shortcut to C: with the Folders Pane showing.
Right click the Desktop | New | Shortcut |
Type or copy and paste this in the box:

%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:

Click Next | Click Finish

Or change the Target of your existing shortcut to
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:
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Or create a shortcut to explorer.exe with this as the
Target: %windir%\explorer.scf

-----
Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314853

HOW TO: Customize the Windows Explorer Views in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307856

HOW TO: Have Windows Explorer Default to the %SystemRoot% Drive When Started
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=257518

HOW TO: Change Windows Explorer Default View to My Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221878

-----

You can also assign a shortcut key to that shortcut.

Right click the shortcut | Properties | Shortcut tab |
[[With the cursor in the Shortcut key box, select the keyboard key you
want to use in combination with CTRL+ALT. Shortcut keys automatically start
with CTRL+ALT. The Shortcut key box will display None until you select the
key and then the box will display Ctrl+Alt+the key you selected. You cannot
use the ESC, ENTER, TAB, SPACEBAR, PRINT SCREEN, SHIFT, or BACKSPACE keys.

Note
Once you assign a shortcut key combination for a specific program, you will
not be able to use that key combination with other programs.]]

I use Ctrl + Alt + E.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In