Window Explorer Startup Options

  • Thread starter Thread starter jimbo
  • Start date Start date
J

jimbo

Is there a way to change the way Windows Explorer "looks" when it
starts? Specifically, I would like to start with my choice of which
folders are expanded and which are compressed. Foe example, I would
like to see My Documents compressed but My Computer expanded.

Thanks and regards, jimbo
 
explorer.exe /e,

Opens MyComputer expanded in the left pane.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Newsgroup FAQs:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=129972
-------------------------------------------


Is there a way to change the way Windows Explorer "looks" when it
starts? Specifically, I would like to start with my choice of which
folders are expanded and which are compressed. Foe example, I would
like to see My Documents compressed but My Computer expanded.

Thanks and regards, jimbo
 
Greetings --

Basically, all you need do is modify the target field of your
Windows Explorer shortcut to point where you want it. In you case,
"%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e ,c:\" (without the quotes) would do the
trick.

Command-Line Switches for Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q130510

WinNT Explorer Command-Line Options
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q152/4/57.asp


Bruce Chambers

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Help us help you:



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having both at once. -- RAH
 
If we right click on the C: Drive (after opening My Computer), do we
place these command lines in the open space under the General tab for
the C: Drive?

I am more interested in having it compacted vs. open.

Steve
 
Steve,

Once you are in MyComputer, click the "Folders" tool at the top. It opens the folder bar at the left with MyComputer expanded. If you want it as a context menu option, add a Registry key as follows:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\Explorer\command
Default = explorer /e,

BTW, the context menu will appear only for Drives, and not for folders.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Newsgroup FAQs:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=129972
-------------------------------------------


If we right click on the C: Drive (after opening My Computer), do we
place these command lines in the open space under the General tab for
the C: Drive?

I am more interested in having it compacted vs. open.

Steve
 
Ramesh,

That reg key does not exist; I get to "Drive" and there is no "explorer"
under the "shell" value.

Instead I created a shortcut on my desktop using the command line and it
works fine.

Thanks.

Steve
 
"Explorer" is the key you need to create. I just given it for sample. The one already present there is the "find" key.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Newsgroup FAQs:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=129972
-------------------------------------------


Ramesh,

That reg key does not exist; I get to "Drive" and there is no "explorer"
under the "shell" value.

Instead I created a shortcut on my desktop using the command line and it
works fine.

Thanks.

Steve
 
Steve;
Right click a blank area of the Desktop | New | Shortcut | Paste %windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:
into the box | Next | Name for shortcut: WINDOWS EXPLORER | Finish.
This should give you the good looking icon also.
%windir% is the same as C:\WINDOWS or whatever drive windows is on.
 
Steve;
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:
Opens C: expanded.
Whether you use %windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c: as a shortcut or paste it into the Run box. i.e.
Start | Run | %windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c: | OK
 
Thanks to all who suggested /e, c:\, it did work, but now what would
the command be to have all folders and drives display collapsed? Sorry
to be so dense, but these commands are confusing to me.

Thanks and regards, jimbo
 
If it exists, remove the %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% from the Shortcuts "Start
In:" path.
 
Thanks to all who suggested /e, c:\, it did work, but now what would
the command be to have all folders and drives display collapsed? Sorry
to be so dense, but these commands are confusing to me.

Thanks and regards, jimbo
Click to expand...

Not sure if I'm understanding what you're after.

Try turning off "Simple Folder View" in Folder Options> View. Using it,
automatically expands the selected folder. Disabling it will require you to
click the folder twice to expand.

Or use %windir%\explorer.exe /e,
which will open a two paned explorer window with the focus on "My
Computer." Select whatever drive or folder that you want from there.
 
\explorer.exe /e, starts with My Computer expanded. That is, all of
the hard drives, CD, Control Panel, Shared Documents and <my name's>
Documents are listed. (Not expanded, but in the list.) Is there an
option or command that would not have ANY items in the list expanded?
The list shown at WinExplorer startup would show lines for: Desktop,
My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places and Recycle Bin, and with
no expansion of any of these main items. And I want the two panel view
that the /e command gives.

Thanks and regards, jimbo
 
\explorer.exe /e, starts with My Computer expanded. That is, all of
the hard drives, CD, Control Panel, Shared Documents and <my name's>
Documents are listed. (Not expanded, but in the list.) Is there an
option or command that would not have ANY items in the list expanded?
The list shown at WinExplorer startup would show lines for: Desktop,
My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places and Recycle Bin, and with
no expansion of any of these main items. And I want the two panel view
that the /e command gives.

Thanks and regards, jimbo
Click to expand...

No. Something will always be expanded with the 2 pane view (press left
arrow key to collapse and go from there?). My Computer is as high as you
can get in the heirarchy. I take that back, even if you adjusted to the
"Desktop" at the very top - you would still have desktop expanded.

Other suggestions:

--You could just use My Computer. Single pane view. Select what you want
with a double click. Then click the Folders button in the toolbar to invoke
the 2 pane view.

--Take a look at the "Desktop" toolbar. Right click the taskbar and select
Toolbars> Desktop. Adjust size the toolbar to a small size so that it shows
"Desktop" and a chevron to access the toolbar items. Even if not displayed
on the desktop, you will get flyout menus for My Documents, My Computer,
Network Places and others.

It looks like we can get you "close" to what you want but that's about it.
Hope that you find a customization that you like.
 
Thanks to all who replied. Here is what I have found to date that
satisfies me.

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,/select,

Opens two pane window with Desktop selected and nothing expanded in
the left pane. Desktop icons are displayed in the right pane. This is
what I thought I wanted but it turns out that I like the second option
better.

%SystemRoot%explorer.exe /e,

Opens two pane window with My Computer selected and expanded in the
left pane. The icons for the expanded items are displayed in the right
pane.

Thanks and regards, jimbo
 
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