TSGL: Windows Explorer vs. My Computer

[H Davis]

Joe,

Create a new shortcut and put the following in the target field:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,,

Note the 2 commas at the end. This should (at least it does for me with 
Windows XP) open a 2 panel window in Windows Explorer with the focus on 
My Computer on the left and all the drives listed on the right (on the 
left also).

You can extend this by adding a path to any folder after the 2nd comma. 
I think a space is optional after the 2nd comma.

E.G. %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,,C:\Documents and Settings\<your user 
name>My Documents\<some doc folder>

This will cause Windows Explorer to open with the focus on that folder 
in the left pane and the contents of that folder listed in the right 
pane. You don't even need the quote marks commonly required when the 
path contains spaces.

If you frequently open folders deep in the file structure, making 
several shortcuts to these folders will speed your work greatly. You can 
also put these shortcuts into a folder in the IE "Links" folder. This 
will cause a folder with all these shortcuts to appear in the IE links 
toolbar. Big deal, you say. But, you can also have the IE Links toolbar 
displayed in Windows Explorer. This puts a nearly infinite selection of 
shortcuts only a click or 2 away when you're in Windows Explorer. No 
need to get back to the desktop or click up through the start menu.

BTY, the other links in the Links toolbar that lead to web sites can be 
clicked and will open in the right pane of Windows Explorer. I haven't 
found this particularly useful ... but interesting.

HTH

H Davis



Joe Titone wrote:
> At 04:23 AM 9/30/2006, Don Penlington  wrote:
>   
>> Joe wrote:
>>     
>>> I usually invoke Windows Explorer (My Computer) by using <Windows
>>> key>+<E>.  This brings up a 2-paneled display with all the drives listed in
>>> both panels.
>>>
>>> A friend accesses it from the Start Menu either by clicking on Windows
>>> Explorer or going to Accessories.  In both cases the main focus is on My
>>> Documents as it is on my pc when I duplicate what he does..  He claims that
>>> it used to display with all the drives listed in both panels.  Once
>>> displayed I can change it to all dries in the left panel by expanding My
>>> Computer but I can't make it stick. Is there a way to make it show all
>>> drives initially?>>
>>>       
>> Joe---
>>
>> Start button, right click the Explorer shortcut/Properties/Shortcut tab, in
>> the line "Start in" select "My Computer".  Save and exit.
>>
>> It will open in whatever you choose to set in "Start in".
>>
>> It's a useful ploy to have 2 or more Explorer shortcuts, each opening in a
>> different location. You can, of course, rename each one as you wish. (eg
>> "ExpMyDocs", "ExpMyPix" etc).
>>
>> Don Penlington
>>     
>
> Unlike my friend, I don't have Windows Explorer on my Start menu.  His 
> appears on the right half, and I was able to make it appear on my pc on the 
> left half by pinning it.
>
> When I right-click and select Properties, there is no drop-down box in the 
> Start In field.  It currently says: "%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e," and starts 
> with the focus on My Documents.  It will not accept My Computer as an 
> entry.  It originally said something different, but I tried to use John 
> Od/G's suggestion in this field.
>
> John's suggestion worked (the one with the comma) so I can set a shortcut 
> on my friend's desktop.  However I'm still curious about Don's comment and 
> what I should enter to set the focus on the various drives.
>
>
> Joe Titone
> (from home)
> titone at usc.edu
> 360 944-8190 
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>   

-- 
H Davis   hdavis1 at gmail.com