How to make Windows Explorer default to split pane view?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jorey Bump
  • Start date Start date
J

Jorey Bump

When I open a Windows Explorer window, it shows directories in the righthand
side, and a "helpful" menu of tasks on the left. To switch to a split pane
view that enables me to drag files to other directories on the system, I
have to click on the Folders option at the top of the window. Is there any
way to make this the default when opening Windows Explorer?

I've tried Tools -> Folder Options... -> General -> Tasks -> Use Windows
classic folders, which disables the lefthand menu, but still forces me to
click on the Folders option to get a split pane. Applying the current
folder settings to all folders has no effect.
 
Jorey,

"Explorer.exe /e" - opens Explorer with folder pane enabled
"Explorer.exe /n" - opens My computer view.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


When I open a Windows Explorer window, it shows directories in the righthand
side, and a "helpful" menu of tasks on the left. To switch to a split pane
view that enables me to drag files to other directories on the system, I
have to click on the Folders option at the top of the window. Is there any
way to make this the default when opening Windows Explorer?

I've tried Tools -> Folder Options... -> General -> Tasks -> Use Windows
classic folders, which disables the lefthand menu, but still forces me to
click on the Folders option to get a split pane. Applying the current
folder settings to all folders has no effect.
 
Jorey Bump said:
When I open a Windows Explorer window, it shows directories in the righthand
side, and a "helpful" menu of tasks on the left. To switch to a split pane
view that enables me to drag files to other directories on the system, I
have to click on the Folders option at the top of the window. Is there any
way to make this the default when opening Windows Explorer?

I've tried Tools -> Folder Options... -> General -> Tasks -> Use Windows
classic folders, which disables the lefthand menu, but still forces me to
click on the Folders option to get a split pane. Applying the current
folder settings to all folders has no effect.
Click to expand...

Then try the View menu in W Explorer>explorer bar>select folders.
HTH?
 
Ramesh said:
Jorey,

"Explorer.exe /e" - opens Explorer with folder pane enabled
"Explorer.exe /n" - opens My computer view.
Click to expand...

You are correct. My mistake was simply dragging the My Documents icon to my
toolbar, instead of creating a shortcut from scratch. Here are the
properties of my shortcut:

Target: C:\\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n,/e,"C:\Documents and Settings\me\My
Documents"

Icon file: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mydocs.dll
 
explorer.exe /e,"C:\Documents and Settings" would also work fine.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


Jorey,

"Explorer.exe /e" - opens Explorer with folder pane enabled
"Explorer.exe /n" - opens My computer view.
Click to expand...

You are correct. My mistake was simply dragging the My Documents icon to my
toolbar, instead of creating a shortcut from scratch. Here are the
properties of my shortcut:

Target: C:\\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n,/e,"C:\Documents and Settings\me\My
Documents"

Icon file: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mydocs.dll
 
Ramesh said:
explorer.exe /e,"C:\Documents and Settings" would also work fine.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... Not on my system. After I hit the Apply button, Windows formalizes
the path to C:\\WINDOWS\explorer.exe. I also need to specify the complete
path to get to my user's "My Documents" folder.

If you're referring to the /n flag, you're right, that isn't necessary (what
exactly does it do?).
 
If an there is an open window to a folder
explorer foldername will swithch to that window
 
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