Stop My Documents from auto-expanding in Explorer!

[EagleOne]

XP Pro SP2+

Every time that I open a new instance of Explorer, the My Documents folder opens automatically no
matter what my previous settings were or are.

Specifically, I do not want My Documents folder to Expand Automatically Period! Ever!

(Sorry for the emotion, but I have yet to see an answer for this issue that works. My guess is that
MS has hard-coded this action. If not, then I need more than the typical answer which addresses the
"My Documents folder opening at boot" which is NOT my challenge)

Yes, I have been to Kelly's Corner and many other sites.

Also, as noted below, two settings do not survive the SECOND re-boot as the system is re-setting
them.

These actions occur with my two home computer systems plus the systems at the office.


Folder Options > View > Advanced Settings

[Yes] Apply to All Folders

[Yes] Remember each folder's view settings
[Yes] Restore previous folder windows at logon
(This one is being "second-boot" system-overridden back to No!)

Regedit settings

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Userinit"="C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
"PersistBrowsers"=dword:00000000
(This also is being "second-boot" system-overridden back to =dword:00000001)

Help! EagleOne

 

[Pennywise]

XP Pro SP2+

Every time that I open a new instance of Explorer, the My Documents folder opens automatically no
matter what my previous settings were or are.

Specifically, I do not want My Documents folder to Expand Automatically Period! Ever!

(Sorry for the emotion, but I have yet to see an answer for this issue that works. My guess is that
MS has hard-coded this action. If not, then I need more than the typical answer which addresses the
"My Documents folder opening at boot" which is NOT my challenge)

Make a short cut for Explorer, right click, properties, and in the
target put:
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
(C drive assumed)

This will display explorer the same way as WinKey+E

 

[alanglloyd]

XP Pro SP2+

Every time that I open a new instance of Explorer, the My Documents folder opens automatically no
matter what my previous settings were or are.

Specifically, I do not want My Documents folder to Expand Automatically Period! Ever!

<snip>

Shortcut > Target ...

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/root, E:\,"E:\AProject\LexaCom\Latest
Development"

This opens with the "E:\AProject\LexaCom\Latest Development" directory
as the root. Of course you can make it anything you wish.

The first /e specifies a two-pane form, the /root, E:\ specifies that
the E:\ folder will be the root of the view, and the
"E:\AProject\LexaCom\Latest Development" specifies the file or folder
that will be displayed in the Contents (RH) pane.

Alan Lloyd

 

[EagleOne]

Outstanding answers - both.

Best is that they work!

Thanks EagleOne

 

[Frank]

XP Pro SP2+

Every time that I open a new instance of Explorer, the My Documents folder opens automatically no
matter what my previous settings were or are.

Specifically, I do not want My Documents folder to Expand Automatically Period! Ever!

(Sorry for the emotion, but I have yet to see an answer for this issue that works. My guess is that
MS has hard-coded this action. If not, then I need more than the typical answer which addresses the
"My Documents folder opening at boot" which is NOT my challenge)

Yes, I have been to Kelly's Corner and many other sites.

Also, as noted below, two settings do not survive the SECOND re-boot as the system is re-setting
them.

These actions occur with my two home computer systems plus the systems at the office.

Right click Windows explorer shortcut>Properties>Start in > whatever you want