Default folder on opening Explorer

[Guest]

When I right-click Start and then click Explore, it opens Explorer by default
to the "c:\documents and settings\start menu" folder. I don't want that.

Is there a way I can change it so the default folder that it opens to is one
of my choosing?

 

[WTC]

When I right-click Start and then click Explore, it opens Explorer by
default
to the "c:\documents and settings\start menu" folder. I don't want that.

Is there a way I can change it so the default folder that it opens to is
one
of my choosing?

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

 

[Wesley Vogel]

No there isn't. You have no choice.

You aren't opening Windows Explorer from the Start button. You are opening
the %homepath%\Start Menu folder.

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.
-----

Place a shortcut to Windows Explorer on your Desktop.

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

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

Next | Rename it to WINDOWS EXPLORER or what ever you want | Finish
-----

Or modify the shortcut anyway you like...

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

-----

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

 

[Kelly]

Sure: Right click Windows Explorer/Properties and type this into the Target
path:

To have C: open (No folders)
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\

To have My Computer
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n

To have C: open expanded - Examples
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,f:\Limited Documents

To have C: open and My Documents
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

For it to open to My Documents:
explorer /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents or
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

To have My Documents open only (No folders)
Explorer /root, c:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents
Explorer /root, c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Kelly's Computer

If you wish to have Explorer open at My Documents on another drive, you
would use:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, f:\My Documents

To have another Drive letter assigned to opening: D for example
C:\Windows\Explorer.exe /e, d:\

d:\ can be modified for any folder/sub-folder you like. As in:
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /e,d:\My Stuff

The /e switch tells Windows Explorer to open in the two pane explorer mode
and the c:\ tells it to open in folder C:\. If you omit the /e switch,
Windows Explorer opens in a single pane view.


Command Line Switches Examples for Windows Explorer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#comline

Command-Line Switches for Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q130/5/10.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];307856


--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

I really appreciate all the help.

Based on the advice first posted by WTC, I copied the Windows Explorer
shortcut that's under Accessories to the QuickLaunch toolbar, and then in the
Properties of that I put:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\Data

(Data is a folder I created that I use regularly.)

I assume the /n and /e switches are advisable since the link WTC provided
indicated that they are (not that I really understand the ramifications
either way, and now with the examples the rest of you have shown I don't know
how useful they really are).

Is where I'm at as good as I'm going to get, or is there anything I'm missing?

Note that it's a business system that will soon be at the core of some
serious business growth, so I need it working optimally.

Thanks again!

Jay

Sure: Right click Windows Explorer/Properties and type this into the Target
path:

To have C: open (No folders)
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\

To have My Computer
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n

To have C: open expanded - Examples
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,f:\Limited Documents

To have C: open and My Documents
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

For it to open to My Documents:
explorer /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents or
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

To have My Documents open only (No folders)
Explorer /root, c:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents
Explorer /root, c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Kelly's Computer

If you wish to have Explorer open at My Documents on another drive, you
would use:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, f:\My Documents

To have another Drive letter assigned to opening: D for example
C:\Windows\Explorer.exe /e, d:\

d:\ can be modified for any folder/sub-folder you like. As in:
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /e,d:\My Stuff

The /e switch tells Windows Explorer to open in the two pane explorer mode
and the c:\ tells it to open in folder C:\. If you omit the /e switch,
Windows Explorer opens in a single pane view.


Command Line Switches Examples for Windows Explorer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#comline

Command-Line Switches for Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q130/5/10.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];307856


--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

When I right-click Start and then click Explore, it opens Explorer by
default
to the "c:\documents and settings\start menu" folder. I don't want that.

Is there a way I can change it so the default folder that it opens to is
one
of my choosing?

 

[Darrell S]

All those methods work but I've found the easiest way for me is to open
Explorer at the level I want. Right click on the top folder, choose Copy.
On my desktop, right click and choose Paste Shortcut. Now anytime I click
on that shortcut it opens Explorer at the exact level I want. And, since
it's a shortcut, you can rename it to whatever clues you in on what it's
for. I have shortcuts that open Explorer at the My Computer level with all
drives immediately below, one that opens at the C: level, and one opens in
My Music.

--

Darrell R. Schmidt
B-58 Hustler History: http://members.cox.net/dschmidt1/
-

I really appreciate all the help.

Based on the advice first posted by WTC, I copied the Windows Explorer
shortcut that's under Accessories to the QuickLaunch toolbar, and then in
the
Properties of that I put:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\Data

(Data is a folder I created that I use regularly.)

I assume the /n and /e switches are advisable since the link WTC provided
indicated that they are (not that I really understand the ramifications
either way, and now with the examples the rest of you have shown I don't
know
how useful they really are).

Is where I'm at as good as I'm going to get, or is there anything I'm
missing?

Note that it's a business system that will soon be at the core of some
serious business growth, so I need it working optimally.

Thanks again!

Jay

Sure: Right click Windows Explorer/Properties and type this into the
Target
path:

To have C: open (No folders)
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\

To have My Computer
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n

To have C: open expanded - Examples
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,f:\Limited Documents

To have C: open and My Documents
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

For it to open to My Documents:
explorer /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents or
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

To have My Documents open only (No folders)
Explorer /root, c:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents
Explorer /root, c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Kelly's Computer

If you wish to have Explorer open at My Documents on another drive, you
would use:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, f:\My Documents

To have another Drive letter assigned to opening: D for example
C:\Windows\Explorer.exe /e, d:\

d:\ can be modified for any folder/sub-folder you like. As in:
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /e,d:\My Stuff

The /e switch tells Windows Explorer to open in the two pane explorer
mode
and the c:\ tells it to open in folder C:\. If you omit the /e switch,
Windows Explorer opens in a single pane view.


Command Line Switches Examples for Windows Explorer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#comline

Command-Line Switches for Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q130/5/10.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];307856


--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

When I right-click Start and then click Explore, it opens Explorer by
default
to the "c:\documents and settings\start menu" folder. I don't want
that.

Is there a way I can change it so the default folder that it opens to
is
one
of my choosing?