Configure shortcut to explorer

[Jack Sheet]

I have a shortcut to a folder located on my desktop, that launches Windows
Explorer when I doubleclick on it.

The default view of the folder is a single window showing the contents of
the folder. I would prefer it to show a vertical-split-pane window with the
right half showing the contents of the active folder and the left half
showing a list of folders, as is the default if I just launch Explorer from
the program list rather than as a shortcut to a folder.

I can ackieve the desired view by doubleclicking the shortcut then
View/Explorer Bar/Folders from the menu, immediately after doubleclicking on
the shortcut each time, but I would rather it opened in that view by
default. How do I do that?

Also (separate question) how do I set the default directory to which
Explorer points when opening Explorer program (othewise than via a
shortcut)?

Thanks

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Jack

FWIW the target in my shortcut is C:\WINDOWS\explorer.scf.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Right click the shortcut on the Desktop and select Properties. In the Target Line, copy/paste the following command.

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, C:\my folder

Change "C:\my folder" to the location of the folder in the shortcut. Be sure to include the 2 spaces and the comma.

For your second question, use the same command in the shortcut to Windows Explorer, substituting the location path.

 

[Jack Sheet]

Thanks to all who responded. great

Right click the shortcut on the Desktop and select Properties. In the Target
Line, copy/paste the following command.

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, C:\my folder

Change "C:\my folder" to the location of the folder in the shortcut. Be sure
to include the 2 spaces and the comma.

For your second question, use the same command in the shortcut to Windows
Explorer, substituting the location path.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Rod

The right click gives you 3 ways to open Windows Explorer, however, these links are specific to the Start Menu folder in a couple of different locations.

The best option for accessing Windows Explorer is to go to Start/All Programs/Accessories. Right click the Windows Explorer item and select "Pin to Start Menu" from the menu. This will place the WE shortcut on the Start Menu. You can right click this shortcut and use the previously mentioned commands to customize the way WE opens.

You can also simply press the WinKey+E on the keyboard to open Windows Explorer. The keyboard shortcut will inherit the command line in the WE shortcut.

 

[Guest]

Thank you - that worked.

Rod

The right click gives you 3 ways to open Windows Explorer, however, these links are specific to the Start Menu folder in a couple of different locations.

The best option for accessing Windows Explorer is to go to Start/All Programs/Accessories. Right click the Windows Explorer item and select "Pin to Start Menu" from the menu. This will place the WE shortcut on the Start Menu. You can right click this shortcut and use the previously mentioned commands to customize the way WE opens.

You can also simply press the WinKey+E on the keyboard to open Windows Explorer. The keyboard shortcut will inherit the command line in the WE shortcut.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Rod

Another option is to drag a Desktop icon to the Quick Launch tray.


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rod

The right click gives you 3 ways to open Windows Explorer, however, these
links are specific to the Start Menu folder in a couple of different
locations.

The best option for accessing Windows Explorer is to go to Start/All
Programs/Accessories. Right click the Windows Explorer item and select "Pin
to Start Menu" from the menu. This will place the WE shortcut on the Start
Menu. You can right click this shortcut and use the previously mentioned
commands to customize the way WE opens.

You can also simply press the WinKey+E on the keyboard to open Windows
Explorer. The keyboard shortcut will inherit the command line in the WE
shortcut.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Great, glad we got the problem sorted. Enjoy.