Nav. Pane view: Help Please!

Citizen Joe · Feb 3, 2008

Hello, I've been searching and I can't find what I'm looking for:When I open Windows Explorer it defaults to a view of some deeply buried folder (actually, it's the startup folder) that I have NO interest in at all. I would really like to be able to change that, but I sure can't figure out how!!What I would like is is for the Documents folder to be open, with Computer open below it. Simple. Nothing else.Many thanks for your help.Hugh in Winnipeg

Brink · Feb 3, 2008

Hi Citizen Joe,
Welcome to Vista Forums. :party:

This will show you how to change the default Windows Explorer shortcut open location to open where you want it to instead.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/71306-windows-explorer-default-opening.html

Shawn

Citizen Joe · Feb 3, 2008

Hello Shawn and thank you for the very quick response!!

It doesn't seem to work, though. I followed the instructions and I even re-booted the machine. I know that there has to be a simple answer, but this really is very frustrating!!

I did learn some new things, though, from your tip: There's an "open file location" button that looked promising, but I couldn't figure out how to get it to do anything; AND the "start in" line might be useful, but again, not;

in the General Tab, the location is listed as: C:\Users\Hugh\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories.

This is what I want to change, but how??

Cheers,
Hugh

Brink · Feb 3, 2008

Hugh,

What folder path do you want the Windows Explorer shortcut to open to? I'll post what you should type in the Target location field.

Citizen Joe · Feb 3, 2008

Hi Shawn,

I'd like it to look like the attachment. (I hope you can see it!)

Thanks again,
HUgh

Citizen Joe · Feb 3, 2008

Or something like that, anyway. Really I guess I'd like the Documents folder open with the other stuff below it.

Thanks,
Hugh

Brink · Feb 3, 2008

Ok Hugh,

Copy: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /root, c:\

into the Target location field and click OK. It will open it like Example A. I believe this is what you want. If not, just let me know.

Shawn

Citizen Joe · Feb 3, 2008

So, Shawn,

I made the change, as shown in "change.jpg", but it doesn't change anything, as shown in "explore2.jpg".

I'm sure I must be missing something really simple.....

Cheers,
Hugh

Brink · Feb 3, 2008

Hugh,

Which shortcut are you clicking on to open Windows Explorer? Just so I know we are both thinking the same one.

Citizen Joe · Feb 3, 2008

Well, I've been doing it 2 ways. At first: start, all programs, accessories, right click on Windows Explorer and select Properties. Now that I've done it so many times, it's in the Start Menu... ! I don't want to get rid of the Navigation Pane, I jsut want it to open as shown in my first attachment: "explore.jpg."

Cheers,
Hugh

Brink · Feb 3, 2008

Ok, we're thinking the same one then. When you copy:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\

into the Target field, did you clear it first to make sure it was empty? Make sure that the Start in field is empty to.

Citizen Joe · Feb 3, 2008

I did. I tried it again just now with the same results.
I don't need to re-boot each time, do I?

Cheers,
Hugh

Brink · Feb 3, 2008

LOL, no. A reboot is not needed for this at all.

I would recommend to delete that shortcut and create a new one from the source and put that one where the old one was, then do this to change it's open location.

1. Delete the shortcut.
2. Go to C:\Windows\explorer.exe
3. Right click on explorer.exe and click Send To -> Desktop (create shortcut)
4. Rename the new shortcut Windows Explorer. (on Desktop)
5. Right click on the new Windows Explorer (on Desktop) and click Cut.
6. Open the Start Menu and click All Programs
7. Right click on the Accessories folder and click Open.
8. Right click on a empty space in the window that opened and click Paste.

You should have the default Windows Explorer shortcut now. See if you can change the Target to:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\

Citizen Joe · Feb 4, 2008

OK, I think I just realized something important. When following your steps, above, WITHOUT changing the target from: C:\Windows\explorer.exe to: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /root, c:\ , I get what I want - more or less. However, I realize that I habitually open Windows Explorer but right clicking on the Start orb and selecting Explore!! Then I get what I don't want!!

Hmmm....

H

Citizen Joe · Feb 4, 2008

Yup, this is it, exactly! How exciting. So each time I was making a change, it WAS working, but NOt on the shortcut I was using to open Windows Explorer. So now I've tried to change the one that I always use and can't do that. Any ideas??

Here's to progress!

Hugh

Brink · Feb 4, 2008

Ok,

Try: C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n, c:\

to see if it gets you closer to what you wanted.

The Explore from the Start button, is to open the Start menu folder for your account only. Where the Open/Explore All Users is for the Start menu folder that is shared by all user accounts. You cannot change these.

Brink · Feb 4, 2008

To make the Windows Explorer shortcut easier to use. Right click on it and click Pin to Start Menu. It will be right there when you open the Start menu then.

Citizen Joe · Feb 4, 2008

Actually, it's perfect like this: C:\Windows\explorer.exe
So, in fact, the Explore from the start button doesn't do what I want at all? How odd. I guess it's time to teach an old do a new trick- how to explore from something else. Too bad. I like the right click business because it's SO FAST!

Thanks very much for all your help, though. It's really nice to discover someone who's willing to make an effort!

Cheers,
Hugh

Citizen Joe · Feb 4, 2008

Brink said:
To make the Windows Explorer shortcut easier to use. Right click on it and click Pin to Start Menu. It will be right there when you open the Start menu then.

Excellent thought! I've done it.

Thanks,
Hugh

Brink · Feb 4, 2008

Your welcome Hugh. I'm glad that it is opening to where you want it now.

Cheers,
Shawn

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