Shortcuts to Window Explorer no longer works

[Dave]

I'm using Win XP Pro and I've set Windows Explorer to the double panel
view (Folders, Folders & Files) as my default view. I have a number
of shortcuts on my Desktop and in Quick Launch that open Windows
Explorer to different folders in my directory ("Favorites" is one of
them, others are just folders). They have worked well in the past.

For some reason I recently lost my URL Internet Shortcut file
association and restored it with Don Knox's "URL file association
fix." Now, however, the Windows Explorer shortcuts I have on my
Desktop no longer work -- an "Open With" window comes up. I've used
"Browse" to point it to explorer.exe but when a directory comes up,
the left Folder Panel is missing. I've created some test shortcuts
and these, too, don't work.

NOTE: Other shortcuts for starting programs or viewing documents are
working correctly.

Is there anyway to fix these shortcuts so that both panels come up
like they used to?

Do shortcuts have a file extension, and if so, what is it?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Dave,

Right-click on the shortcut and click Properties. Check the "Target" path, and make sure that it's pointing to the correct folder.

Try:

"C:\somefolder\Download"

instead of

explorer "C:\somefolder\Download"

Does it work? If not, we may have to inspect the .lnk file type and "directory" associations.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I'm using Win XP Pro and I've set Windows Explorer to the double panel
view (Folders, Folders & Files) as my default view. I have a number
of shortcuts on my Desktop and in Quick Launch that open Windows
Explorer to different folders in my directory ("Favorites" is one of
them, others are just folders). They have worked well in the past.

For some reason I recently lost my URL Internet Shortcut file
association and restored it with Don Knox's "URL file association
fix." Now, however, the Windows Explorer shortcuts I have on my
Desktop no longer work -- an "Open With" window comes up. I've used
"Browse" to point it to explorer.exe but when a directory comes up,
the left Folder Panel is missing. I've created some test shortcuts
and these, too, don't work.

NOTE: Other shortcuts for starting programs or viewing documents are
working correctly.

Is there anyway to fix these shortcuts so that both panels come up
like they used to?

Do shortcuts have a file extension, and if so, what is it?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Dave]

Ramesh,

I appreciate your reply. I checked the links and the Target does not
include the word "explorer." They all are like this:

"D:\Download (D)" ... a folder on my D: drive where I save all my
downloads, etc.

"C:\Documents and Settings\my user name\Favorites"

Originally I created these shortcuts by the right-click / Send to ...
Desktop option. Also I checked my file types and cannot find a .lnk
file type in the list. As for the "directory" associations I'm not
sure how check this.

In case this helps, this is a home computer and I am the only user.

Dave

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi Dave,

Visit the link provided below, download and apply the file type association fixes for the following items:

"folder"
"directory"
..lnk

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,

I appreciate your reply. I checked the links and the Target does not
include the word "explorer." They all are like this:

"D:\Download (D)" ... a folder on my D: drive where I save all my
downloads, etc.

"C:\Documents and Settings\my user name\Favorites"

Originally I created these shortcuts by the right-click / Send to ...
Desktop option. Also I checked my file types and cannot find a .lnk
file type in the list. As for the "directory" associations I'm not
sure how check this.

In case this helps, this is a home computer and I am the only user.

Dave

 

[Dave]

Ramesh,

Thank you! That solved the problem.

I really appreciate your help.

Dave

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Dave!

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,

Thank you! That solved the problem.

I really appreciate your help.

Dave