Adjusting Explorer default folder display - how?

[david.f.jenkins]

I've seen elsehere how to keep Explorer from starting with Documents
and Settings expanded, when starting it from the /Programs/Acccessories
menu or a desktop shortcut, and that all works just fine. However, my
habit is to start Explorer by right-clicking the Start button and
choosing Explorer from there.

1) Is there a way to force Explorer (when started from Start) to keep
Documents and Settings unexpanded?

2) Where are all the command line switches for Explorer documented?

Thanks.

 

[david.f.jenkins]

I forgot a question 3: How do I set List/Details as the default
display format for Explorer?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

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


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[david.f.jenkins]

Hi Wes:

Thanks for quick response. The material in the KB items works fine as
far as Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Explorer is concerned. But
it still doesn't affect the way Explorer behaves when it's started from
a right-click on the Start button in the taskbar. Or do I need to
reboot to get that to happen?

Also, how can I get Explorer to default to the Details view?

Thanks!

 

[Wesley Vogel]

David,

Read the commands again. It isn't Explorer, it's Explore. No second r.

You aren't opening Windows Explorer per se from right clicking the Start
button. You are opening the Start Menu.

Right click the Start button | Explore All Users

This opens %allusersprofile%\Start Menu

Right click the Start button | Explore

This opens %homepath%\Start Menu

The Open command opens a folder with no tree view.

The Explore command opens a folder with the tree view.

XP forgets your folder view settings
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/folderviews.htm

Your view settings or customizations for a folder are lost or incorrect
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813711

Folder Views - Keep Settings
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_f.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[david.f.jenkins]

What am I missing here, Wes?

I WANT to open up with tree view, but I DON'T want the Documents and
Setings folder in the tree view to be expanded. This works OK when I
start from Start->Programs->Accessories->Windows Explorer by changing
the target for that shortcut, but not when I start by right-clicking
Start and then clicking Explore (you're right - no ending 'r' there...)

I'm following your instructions above, but don't seem to be led
anyplace where I can register my requirements. Sorry to be so dense,
but I'm just not getting it...

 

[david.f.jenkins]

Ok - I think I see what you're saying. However, I'd rather
Start->Explore didn't open the Start Menu [folder] (which I guess is
what's forcing an expansion of the Documents and Settings folder?).
Assuming there's no way to modify the behavior of Start->Explore, I
guess I'll have to create my own shortcut and place it on the Quick
Launch portion of the Taskbar to get close to what I want to do -
right?

Surely I'm not the only guy in the world that has this requirement, am
I?

 

[Keith Miller]

Right-clicking the start button and selecting 'Explore' is the same as Right-clicking a folder and selecting 'Explore'. If you right-click 'MyFolder' and select 'Explore', you would expect explorer to open to MyFolder, right? When you right-click the Start button, it's the same as right-clicking the "C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Start Menu" folder, so that's what you're going to see.

So if you want to right-click the start button and explore something other than the start menu folder, you need to add a context menu item for 'File Folder' with a name like 'Explore C:' (or whatever you want. You can do that through 'Folder Options' -> 'File Types' tab -> hi-lite 'File Folder' -> click 'Advanced' -> click 'New...' -> name your action whatever you want and put the 'explorer.exe /e....' command line for 'Application used to perform this action:'. Then 'OK' your way out.

You'll now have your custom explore option not only on the start button, but all file folders.

To make list/details the default, configure a folder view the way you want & then use 'Tools -> Folder Options -> View -> 'Apply to All Folders'. Normally, this action also wipes out previously saved views. If you want to keep those AND set a new default, export the following two registry keys before using 'Apply to All Folders', then restore them afterwards

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]

Good Luck,
Keith

 

[david.f.jenkins]

Thanks, Keith (and you, too, Wes) for making things a lot clearer.

I had already discovered the global change to make list/details the
default, but would have never stumbled on the registry changes on my
own. Never.

Rather than creating the custom Start button menu item, I've gone ahead
and placed a shortcut to Explorer (with an appropriately specified
target) on the Quick Launch bar (pad?) - saves me a keystroke.

All is now well - thanks again.