Change Default Target Folder For Windows Explorer

[Wolf K]

I have Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) installed.
I have created a Desktop shortcut for Windows Explorer. I have also
created a Quick-Launch shortcut for it.

I now would like to be able to either click on the Desktop shortcut or
the Quick-Launch icon and have Windows Explorer automatically open to:
C:\Temp\downloads\unzip
(this is just a few custom folders that I have created on my PC).

I right-clicked the Desktop shortcut, selected Properties, and inserted
the following in the Target box:
C:\Windows\explorer.exe C:\Temp\downloads\unzip

I right-clicked the Quick-Launch icon, right-clicked Windows Explorer,
selected Properties, and inserted the following in the Target box:
%windir%\explorer.exe c:\Temp\downloads\unzip

But they both don't work as they open to Computer instead! The funny
thing is that I have another desktop with the same OS (except that it is
32-bit) and the above commands work just fine...

Does anyone know what I need to do?

Thanks.

Here's a simpler way:

Open Explorer and navigate to the folder, rightclick-drag it onto the
desktop and Create Shortcut. Then drag the shortcut to the taskbar. You
will now have two shortcuts.

If you run out of room on the taskbar, create a folder and give it
suitable name, move the desired shortcuts into it. Now create a shortcut
for the folder, and drag it onto the taskbar.

If you don't like clutter, you can move the shortcuts folder from the
Desktop to anywhere you like. Open Explorer with the Folder tree view in
the lefthand pane, expand the tree, open Desktop in the right hand pane,
and rightclick-drag the shortcuts folder onto any folder, click Move.
Windows automatically updates a shortcut when you move the target.

I have a shortcuts folder on the Desktop, with several folders inside it
(Utilities, Media. Web, etc).

HTH
Wolf K.

 

[Rodney Pont]

Jack Daniel works fine.
Cures the hiccups but gives you a hell of a headache.

Holding your breath for 20 minutes cures the hiccups without the
headache

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

I finally figured out how to solve the problem...

Start -> Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Folder
Options. Under the General tab, in the Navigation Pane section, make
sure that the option "Automatically expand to current folder" is selected.

That was what was preventing Windows Explorer from opening the target
folder.

You can also reach Folder Options directly from the Tools menu in Explorer.

 

[Ed Cryer]

I finally figured out how to solve the problem...

Start -> Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Folder
Options. Under the General tab, in the Navigation Pane section, make
sure that the option "Automatically expand to current folder" is selected.

That was what was preventing Windows Explorer from opening the target
folder.

Ah, ah. Mine is unticked (and stays unticked when I select defaults).
BUT I have the navigation pane unticked too; I prefer it that way.

Nice one! It's little things like that which can cause one hell of a
problem and misunderstanding in group exchanges.

Ed

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Holding your breath for 20 minutes cures the hiccups without the
headache

Thanks, I'll give it a try...

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

It makes me a bit nervous when basic functionality turns up broken.
What other problems is this computer having? If none, I wonder what's
lurking that simply hasn't been discovered yet.

+1

I was starting to think along similar lines, although I had only gotten
as far as thinking that his Windows Explorer is broken - in some
mysterious way.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I finally figured out how to solve the problem...

Start -> Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Folder Options.
Under the General tab, in the Navigation Pane section, make sure that the
option "Automatically expand to current folder" is selected.

That was what was preventing Windows Explorer from opening the target folder.

Well, I just posted "broken in some mysterious way". Now I have to
change it to "broken by some weird design choice in Redmond"

Thanks for posting the solution - it might help any one of us some day.

 

[Char Jackson]

I finally figured out how to solve the problem...

Start -> Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Folder
Options. Under the General tab, in the Navigation Pane section, make
sure that the option "Automatically expand to current folder" is selected.

That was what was preventing Windows Explorer from opening the target
folder.

If you use the syntax that Microsoft recommends, the target folder
will be opened and displayed (in the right side of Windows Explorer)
regardless of the status of that "Auto expand..." setting. The only
difference is what gets displayed in the left column of Windows
Explorer.

With "Auto expand..." enabled, the left pane shows you sitting on
"Computer" but the right pane drills all the way down to the target
folder either way. At least, that's how it works on my systems.

Win 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit (x2)

I haven't tried the other suggested methods to see if they work the
same way, but I have a funny feeling that they do.

 

[Bill Bradshaw]

I like people that are persistent and pound on a problem until they
solve it. I am the same way which has resulted in many early morning
hours .

 

[Tecknomage]

Well, I just posted "broken in some mysterious way". Now I have to
change it to "broken by some weird design choice in Redmond"

Thanks for posting the solution - it might help any one of us some day.

I am not a Win7 user but have helped setup Win7 systems at work.

First, ANY "Home" Windows OS = crippled, always suggest "Pro" versions
(which is what we use at work, Win7 Pro and WinXP Pro).


NOTE: Menu Bars

You CAN enable the Menu Bar for Explorer or IE.

SEE:
"WINDOWS - Win7 Menu Bars"
http://magepages.blogspot.com/2011/12/windows-win7-menu-bars.html



--
=========== Tecknomage ===========
Computer Systems Specialist
ComputerHelpForum.org Staff Member
IT Technician
San Diego, CA

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

On Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:49:46 -0800, Gene E. Bloch

I am not a Win7 user but have helped setup Win7 systems at work.

First, ANY "Home" Windows OS = crippled, always suggest "Pro" versions
(which is what we use at work, Win7 Pro and WinXP Pro).

NOTE: Menu Bars

You CAN enable the Menu Bar for Explorer or IE.

SEE:
"WINDOWS - Win7 Menu Bars"
http://magepages.blogspot.com/2011/12/windows-win7-menu-bars.html

Why are you telling me this? I didn't ask for the info, and also, I
usually don't want the menu bar showing. I'm quite content to press Alt
on those rare occasions when I want a menu.

Well, OK, sometimes (once a month?) I will enable menus for a few
minutes when I am using them a lot for something I'm messing with.