How to get folder tree in applications left pane

[Doug]

Following the advice I found on this group I was able to set Windows
Explorer to show the folder tree in the left pane.

But can anyone tell me how to get the folder tree to appear when I want to
open a file from an application program? Most of these use a dialog box that
has in the left pane a choice of "My Recent Documents," "Desktop," etc? The
folder tree is much more efficient in selecting files buried in
subdirectories, but I can't figure out how to get applications programs to
do that. Any help would be appreciated.

On a different topic, is there a way to restrict a search to a folder on a
drive? Whenever I do a search, I only have a choice of the drive, but I
can't (easily) restrict the search to a folder on the drive.

Best wishes,

Doug

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Doug, the answer to your first question is no. When you see that dialog,
its because that's the standard Common Dialog control for MS development
environments (Visual C, Visual Basic). The Folder pane is not part of it.
However, if there are other locations that you frequently use, you can
change the "Common Places" pane of this dialog, to use other drives/folders.
Download and install TweakUI for Windows XP,
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp. Its in the Common
Dialogs, Places bar setting.

For the second question, this could probably be done with a VB Script, or
other utility to act as a front end. You may also want to check out Agent
Ransack from www.agentransack.com A good number of users are using it to
overcome some of XP's search limitations.

 

[Bob Gibson]

1st question, if I understand it correctly: With many programs, MS-Word,
WordPerfect, etc., selecting File>Open (Ctrl-O), the Look in box allows
you to browse to any drive and folder. Selecting Tools>Options or
Settings, you can designate which drive and folder to use as default
document storage. My programs all default to partition F:\appropriate
folder. I use that partition for data only. It makes for quick and
easy backups. My C: drive is OS only. It makes for seldom needed,
faster defrags, and no noticeable speed reduction opening files.

Bob


| Following the advice I found on this group I was able to set Windows
| Explorer to show the folder tree in the left pane.
|
| But can anyone tell me how to get the folder tree to appear when I
want to
| open a file from an application program? Most of these use a dialog
box that
| has in the left pane a choice of "My Recent Documents," "Desktop,"
etc? The
| folder tree is much more efficient in selecting files buried in
| subdirectories, but I can't figure out how to get applications
programs to
| do that. Any help would be appreciated.
|
| On a different topic, is there a way to restrict a search to a folder
on a
| drive? Whenever I do a search, I only have a choice of the drive, but
I
| can't (easily) restrict the search to a folder on the drive.
|
| Best wishes,
|
| Doug
|
|

 

[Maureen Goldman]

On a different topic, is there a way to restrict a search to a folder on a
drive? Whenever I do a search, I only have a choice of the drive, but I
can't (easily) restrict the search to a folder on the drive.

Right-click the folder, choose search.

Or go into Search and type a line like
c:\tips\*.reg
to find any .reg files in c:\tips

Depending on the type of search being done, I've been using a
downloaded utility, File Finder, as my primary finder (find.zip,
approx. 90K). Very fast. Each has different strengths and limitations.
I find XP more fiddly with regard to locating things, but it's also
easier to deal with the results. Also, XP will look into cab and zip
files.
http://www.shellfront.org/utils/

 

[Doug]

THANKS! For all of the information and advice. This is a really great group!

Best wishes,

Doug