Windows Explorer Opening options?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Malcolm H
  • Start date Start date
M

Malcolm H

When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
 
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
 
Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

..
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
 
Why not create a shortcut, using the syntax you've seen, and then use
that shortcut to open Explorer? Works every time for me.
 
[Malcolm H] wrote-:
When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'
Click to expand...


1 Start > Run > regedit
2 Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\shell\
3 Create a new key:
open
-if you dont want to overwrite the default open item, name it something else and
set the default value of shell key to the name of the key.
4 Create a new key under open:
command
5 Set the default value of command to:
explorer.exe /e,

Good Luck, Ayush.
 
Ayush said:
[Malcolm H] wrote-:
When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder
tree instead of the 'Common Tasks'
Click to expand...


1 Start > Run > regedit
2 Go to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\shell\
3 Create a new key:
open
-if you dont want to overwrite the default open item, name it something
else and set the default value of shell key to the name of the key.
4 Create a new key under open:
command
5 Set the default value of command to:
explorer.exe /e,

Good Luck, Ayush.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that Ayush. I got as far as instruction your #3 and created a
new key. By default it was named New Key #1. I can find no reference to
'open' so did not know how to proceed.

The contents of New Key #1 were Name: default, Type REG_SZ, Data: (value not
set)

Please can you expand your instructions beyond #3 more explicitly

Thanks

Malcolm H
 
Hi Malcolm,

You can create a desktop shortcut with required parameters.

Example: explorer /e,

The above command/shortcut opens My Computer window with the folder pane enabled.

--
Regards,

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


Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

..
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
 
Thank you again Ramesh. The shortcut works OK and is a lot simpler than
messing around with the registry.

Malcolm H


Hi Malcolm,

You can create a desktop shortcut with required parameters.

Example: explorer /e,

The above command/shortcut opens My Computer window with the folder pane
enabled.

--
Regards,

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


Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

..
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
 
Hi Ramesh

What I would really like to achieve with a shortcut is an Explorer two pane
display with 'My Computer' selected in the left hand pane.

I have tried the following target in the shortcut but it doesn't work.

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, /root, \My Computer

Please can you help me with the syntax?

Many thanks

Malcolm H
 
Malcolm H:
Try this & see if this is what you're looking for...

Right-click on your Explorer shortcut icon and select Properties.
In the "Target" text box, enter the following: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.scf

See if that's what you want.
Anna

Malcolm H said:
Hi Ramesh

What I would really like to achieve with a shortcut is an Explorer two
pane display with 'My Computer' selected in the left hand pane.

I have tried the following target in the shortcut but it doesn't work.

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, /root, \My Computer

Please can you help me with the syntax?

Many thanks

Malcolm H


Malcolm H said:
Thank you again Ramesh. The shortcut works OK and is a lot simpler than
messing around with the registry.

Malcolm H


Hi Malcolm,

You can create a desktop shortcut with required parameters.

Example: explorer /e,

The above command/shortcut opens My Computer window with the folder pane
enabled.

--
Regards,

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


Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer
my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder
tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

.
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two
panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to
display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Malcolm,

Works fine here. See if this works for you.

explorer.exe /e, ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Where {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} is the unique identifier for "My Computer" namespace object.

--
Regards,

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


Hi Ramesh

What I would really like to achieve with a shortcut is an Explorer two pane
display with 'My Computer' selected in the left hand pane.

I have tried the following target in the shortcut but it doesn't work.

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, /root, \My Computer

Please can you help me with the syntax?

Many thanks

Malcolm H


Malcolm H said:
Thank you again Ramesh. The shortcut works OK and is a lot simpler than
messing around with the registry.

Malcolm H


Hi Malcolm,

You can create a desktop shortcut with required parameters.

Example: explorer /e,

The above command/shortcut opens My Computer window with the folder pane
enabled.

--
Regards,

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


Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer
my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

.
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two
panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to
display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
Click to expand...
 
Thank you Anna - but the target you suggest selects the c: drive - not 'My
Computer'.
Malcolm

Anna said:
Malcolm H:
Try this & see if this is what you're looking for...

Right-click on your Explorer shortcut icon and select Properties.
In the "Target" text box, enter the following: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.scf

See if that's what you want.
Anna

Malcolm H said:
Hi Ramesh

What I would really like to achieve with a shortcut is an Explorer two
pane display with 'My Computer' selected in the left hand pane.

I have tried the following target in the shortcut but it doesn't work.

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, /root, \My Computer

Please can you help me with the syntax?

Many thanks

Malcolm H


Malcolm H said:
Thank you again Ramesh. The shortcut works OK and is a lot simpler than
messing around with the registry.

Malcolm H


Hi Malcolm,

You can create a desktop shortcut with required parameters.

Example: explorer /e,

The above command/shortcut opens My Computer window with the folder pane
enabled.

--
Regards,

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


Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer
my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder
tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

.
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two
panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to
display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the
annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Bueno! - thank you Rakesh, that is exactly what I wanted to achieve.

I could never have worked this out for myself! How can one determine unique
identifiers for other namespace objects?

Malcolm


Malcolm,

Works fine here. See if this works for you.

explorer.exe /e, ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Where {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} is the unique identifier for
"My Computer" namespace object.

--
Regards,

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


Hi Ramesh

What I would really like to achieve with a shortcut is an Explorer two pane
display with 'My Computer' selected in the left hand pane.

I have tried the following target in the shortcut but it doesn't work.

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, /root, \My Computer

Please can you help me with the syntax?

Many thanks

Malcolm H


Malcolm H said:
Thank you again Ramesh. The shortcut works OK and is a lot simpler than
messing around with the registry.

Malcolm H


Hi Malcolm,

You can create a desktop shortcut with required parameters.

Example: explorer /e,

The above command/shortcut opens My Computer window with the folder pane
enabled.

--
Regards,

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


Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer
my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

.
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two
panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to
display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
Click to expand...
 
Malcolm said:
Bueno! - thank you Rakesh, that is exactly what I wanted to achieve.

I could never have worked this out for myself! How can one determine
unique identifiers for other namespace objects?

Malcolm


Malcolm,

Works fine here. See if this works for you.

explorer.exe /e, ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Where {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} is the unique identifier
for "My Computer" namespace object.
Click to expand...

Hi Malcolm H,

Here is some more (not a complete list)

Administrative Tools "::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}"
Briefcase "::{85BBD92O-42A0-1O69-A2E4-08002B30309D}"
Control Panel "::{21EC2O2O-3AEA-1O69-A2DD-08002b30309d}"
Fonts "::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524152}"
History "::{FF393560-C2A7-11CF-BFF4-444553540000}"
Inbox "::{00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
Microsoft Network "::{00028B00-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
My Computer "::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"
My Documents "::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}"
My Network Places "::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}"
Network Computers "::{1f4de370-d627-11d1-ba4f-00a0c91eedba}"
Network Connections "::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}"
Printers and Faxes "::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}"
Programs Folder "::{7be9d83c-a729-4d97-b5a7-1b7313c39e0a}"
Recycle Bin "::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}"
Scanners and Cameras "::{E211B736-43FD-11D1-9EFB-0000F8757FCD}"
Scheduled Tasks "::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}"
Start Menu Folder "::{48e7caab-b918-4e58-a94d-505519c795dc}"
Temporary Internet Files "::{7BD29E00-76C1-11CF-9DD0-00A0C9034933}"
Web Folders "::{BDEADF00-C265-11d0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}"
 
WTC said:
Hi Malcolm H,

Here is some more (not a complete list)

Administrative Tools "::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}"
Briefcase "::{85BBD92O-42A0-1O69-A2E4-08002B30309D}"
Control Panel "::{21EC2O2O-3AEA-1O69-A2DD-08002b30309d}"
Fonts "::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524152}"
History "::{FF393560-C2A7-11CF-BFF4-444553540000}"
Inbox "::{00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
Microsoft Network "::{00028B00-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
My Computer "::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"
My Documents "::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}"
My Network Places "::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}"
Network Computers "::{1f4de370-d627-11d1-ba4f-00a0c91eedba}"
Network Connections "::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}"
Printers and Faxes "::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}"
Programs Folder "::{7be9d83c-a729-4d97-b5a7-1b7313c39e0a}"
Recycle Bin "::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}"
Scanners and Cameras "::{E211B736-43FD-11D1-9EFB-0000F8757FCD}"
Scheduled Tasks "::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}"
Start Menu Folder "::{48e7caab-b918-4e58-a94d-505519c795dc}"
Temporary Internet Files "::{7BD29E00-76C1-11CF-9DD0-00A0C9034933}"
Web Folders "::{BDEADF00-C265-11d0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}"
Click to expand...

Thank you for those William. Will put them in my archive of useful
information

Malcolm H
 
You're welcome. I see that William already supplied the info you needed.

--
Regards,

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


Bueno! - thank you Rakesh, that is exactly what I wanted to achieve.

I could never have worked this out for myself! How can one determine unique
identifiers for other namespace objects?

Malcolm


Malcolm,

Works fine here. See if this works for you.

explorer.exe /e, ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Where {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} is the unique identifier for
"My Computer" namespace object.

--
Regards,

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


Hi Ramesh

What I would really like to achieve with a shortcut is an Explorer two pane
display with 'My Computer' selected in the left hand pane.

I have tried the following target in the shortcut but it doesn't work.

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, /root, \My Computer

Please can you help me with the syntax?

Many thanks

Malcolm H


Malcolm H said:
Thank you again Ramesh. The shortcut works OK and is a lot simpler than
messing around with the registry.

Malcolm H


Hi Malcolm,

You can create a desktop shortcut with required parameters.

Example: explorer /e,

The above command/shortcut opens My Computer window with the folder pane
enabled.

--
Regards,

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


Thank you Ramesh. I had already seen this article but it does NOT answer
my
question, nor does it state how it is applied. I do not wish to use a
command line.

When launched (e.g. by clicking 'My Computer') I want Windows Explorer
always to appear with two panes with the left pane showing the folder tree
instead of the 'Common Tasks'

Malcolm H

.
Hi Malcolm,

Yes. See this article.

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314853

--
Regards,

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


When opening Windows Explorer the default behaviour is to display two
panes
with the left pane displaying 'System Tasks' etc on a blue background.

I almost never want this view so have to click the 'Folders' icon to
display
the folders tree in the left pane.

Is there any way of changing the default behaviour to remove the annoying
need to click the 'Folders' icon every time I wish to browse files?
Click to expand...
 
[Malcolm H] wrote-:
Please can you expand your instructions beyond #3 more explicitly
Click to expand...

Open the key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\shell\

Create a new key change the name from "New Key" to "open"
Right click the open key and select New > Key and set the name to command
Select command key and right side change the data of Default key to:
explorer.exe /e,


After doing this, the default My Computer (on desktop and start menu) will open in
explorer view.


Good Luck, Ayush.
 
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