Windows explorer view

How do I change the settings of Windows Explorer so that the My Documents folder is also minimized instead of expanded when I open Windows Explorer?

 

Are you saying you want the default folder of explorer to be something other than 'my documents'?

You could create a new shortcut or batchfile that does this:

Code:

explorer.exe /n,/e,c:\

 

Perhaps this will help you also.

 

Upon review, that link I posted leaves some to be desired for clarity and completeness. Here's what it perhaps should have said:

Open a Notepad session and type (or copy/paste) the following script into it:

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,1

[Taskbar]
Command=Explorer

When finished click "save As" and type c:\windows\explorer.scf

Then go to the C:\windows\explore.scf file and right click it. Select "Send To" and Desktop (create shortcut). That will place a shortcut on your Desktop that will open Explorer without any folder being opened. You can move that to the Quick Launch area or wherever you would like it.

There. Somewhere between the first meager explanation and my over zealous one, you'll no doubt be able to get what you want.

EDIT: Btw, don't be concerned that when you look for the Explorer.scf file that you created, it will be shown as merely Explorer (no file extension). The scf extension is what is called a "Super Hidden" extension and you can't normally see those even with your view set to show all files and extensions. If you're interested in pursuing that issue further, look here.

 

What I mean is when I open windows explorer from its icon it opens something like this,
Desktop
-My Documents
+My Music
+My Videos
+My Pictures
etc
etc
+My Computer
+My Network Places

I would like the My Documents folder to also be "closed" like the icon for My Computer is.

Is there a way to do this?

 

brew01

How about winkey+e ? Opens My Computer with My Documents not expanded.

 

Thanks Bill, that works. I know I read somewhere that you can "program" the windows explorer icon to open all expanded or all closed but I can't find where. I'll keep looking, its not a big deal, just asthetics, but when I know I can change something and can't remember how, it gets to be a mission.

 

JoeHobart gave you the target line for the Shortcut so that it would behave as you had requested.

Then I gave you an alternate way to accomplish it.

Now I'll give you all the information I have to do even more than you requested. To wit:

Create a new shortcut on your Desktop.

Then type or paste the following line into the target/command line:

For Win95 and NT:
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e,/root,,/select,C:\

For Win98 (select and open not available)
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e,/root,c:\


When you use this shortcut to access Windows Explorer, it will open up with all tree branches collapsed. You can even drag and drop this shortcut on the START button and have access to it when the Desktop may be obscured.

You may change the word "select" to "open" and it will start with the drive opened.

You may also change the drive specified after the "select" or "open" command and have it select or open any drive you choose. In addition, you can add further path information to include a directory or further subdirectories.

You can create any number of these shortcuts, even change their icons, and have a way to quickly access your favorite files, with a single click.

Example= %windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e,/root,f:\backup will open the Explorer screen to an opened Backup folder on the F: drive.

Perhaps you don't understand how to apply this to the "Icon" as you are calling it. It's actually a Shortcut and you need to right click on it and select "properties" and change the target command line to the values to one of the values that match how you want it to open. Voila!

Post back if you need further guidance.

 

Will these settings work with xp?

 

I compiled that list before XP was born however if you use the Win98 line, it'll work as you need.

Which Shortcut are you working with? I mean where is it located? Right click it and select properties and tell me what it says in the target line. Then you can copy/paste the target line C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e,/root,c:\ in there instead of what you now have and you should be good to go.

 

the shortcut is located here
C:\Documents and Settings\Valerie\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

then I have a copy of it on my quick launch bar, which I can just recreate from the new one once I make it.

 

I see. Yes, that sounds like a plan. You may choose to alter either of those or both, as you prefer.

Here is some more info that is relevant to what the switches do for that command line. Don't let it confuse you though since you already have all the info you need to accomplish your original goal. I include it for further study after you get to where you're going.

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE {/n},{/e},{options},{folder}

/n, - Opens a new single pane Explorer window
/e, "“ Opens a 2 pane view of the selected folder
options- lets you choose between /root and /select
/root, "“ Used with folder. Chooses the designated folder as the starting point(root) of the folder tree. (Ordinarily, \DESKTOP is the root)
/select, "“ Highlights the designated folder and displays the contents of the parent folder in the right pane.
folder "“ designates the folder path

Note that there is a space between EXPLORER.EXE and {/n}, but no spaces elsewhere.
Each comma belongs to the preceeding element. Curly braces mean an item is optional- for example, you can include /n, and omit the the others. Spend a little time and experiment and you will understand how the parameters work. The following are some examples:

To present a SINGLE PANE view of C:\WINDOWS, use this command (don’t forget the mentioned space):

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n, C:\WINDOWS (for Win98)

C:\WINNT\EXPLORER.EXE /n, C:\WINNT (for Win2k)

To present a DUAL PANE view with an open, highlighted \WINDOWS folder as the top folder in the left pane, use:

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /e,C:\WINDOWS (for Win98)

OR

C:\WINNT\EXPLORER.EXE /e, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\START MENU\PROGRAMS… (for Win2k)

To present a DUAL PANE VIEW WITH C: \WINDOWS, as the top folder in the left pane, use:

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /e,/root,C:\WINDOWS (for Win98)

C:\WINNT\EXPLORER.EXE /e, /root,C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS (for Win2K)

You can leave these shortcuts on the desk top however, this is not always a convenient place to access them. If you have WIN 98, I suggest you gather them in a folder.
(Right click on the DESKTOP, choose NEW FOLDER and rename it say… Explorer Views).
Drag your newly created shortcuts in the Explorer Views folder and then drag the Explorer Views folder to the TASK BAR next to the START button. Now you have a kind of "Quick Launch" Explorer view folder.

As I stated before, this stuff predates XP so you'll have to decide how or if it's applicable to your needs. This is a tricky area that can get real confusing as you drill further into it.

 

Thanks all, for all the info