Sticky Folder in Explorer

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Lavin
  • Start date Start date
D

David Lavin

I remember their was a trick to have the folder pane automatically show up
when opening Windows Explorer in XP (i.e., without having to click on the
folder icon).

Anybody who could provide this information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
 
I remember their was a trick to have the folder pane automatically show up
when opening Windows Explorer in XP (i.e., without having to click on the
folder icon).

Anybody who could provide this information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Put the following line as the target in a shortcut:
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e

This will open Explorer with the focus on C:. The /e forces explorer view
(two panes).

If you add a comma to the end:
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e,
Explorer will open in the same manner with the focus on My Computer.
 
David,

Adding to Sharon's advice:

Open folders in Windows Explorer mode by default (i.e. with folder pane enabled):
http://www.winxptutor.com/folderpane.htm

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


I remember their was a trick to have the folder pane automatically show up
when opening Windows Explorer in XP (i.e., without having to click on the
folder icon).

Anybody who could provide this information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
 
Do you mean the left hand pane that shows the "tree" view of the
namespace, from Desktop downwards?

There are several ways to do that, in various contexts.

If all you want is to see Folders instead of the "common tasks" fluff
that XP dummies down for you by duhfault, you can turn off "Show
Common Tasks in Windows Explorer" somewhere in Options. I think
TweakUI has a setting for that as well.

If you want a two-pane Explorer to pop up by magic, then hold down the
Flag key and press E :-)

If you want the desktop "My Computer" icon to show the two-pane view
(in fact, if you want to always see the two-pane view in almost all
contexts) then go Options, File Types and set the default action for
Folder to Explore, rather than Open. Be careful with this, as XP may
be buggy and screw up, falling back to the Find (Search) action in
Drive and File Folder as the default instead.

I do all three of these steps, though I use a .REG to do the last
(i.e. set Explore as default action for Folder).
Put the following line as the target in a shortcut:
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e
Click to expand...
This will open Explorer with the focus on C:. The /e forces explorer view
(two panes).
Click to expand...
If you add a comma to the end:
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e,
Explorer will open in the same manner with the focus on My Computer.
Click to expand...

Interesting tips, those. Funny how "geeky" all of this is; you'd
think there'd be a Properties or Options thing to do this easier.


------------ ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
Click to expand...
Our senses are our UI to reality
 
Keep Shift while double-clicking on My Computer or any directory if you
navigate thru My Computer. As have said already, use Win+E instead.
 
David Lavin said:
I remember their was a trick to have the folder pane automatically show up
when opening Windows Explorer in XP (i.e., without having to click on the
folder icon).

Anybody who could provide this information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

In Windows Explorer on the toolbar, you will see the "folders" icon. Click
it so that folders appears and then close the program. From now on it will
always open that way.

If you are saying it doesn't, you may need to check your settings to save on
exit in registry or alter the bagMRU setting so your preferred settings are
always remembered.
 
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