How to make W7's "Windows Explorer" more like WinXP ?

Hi

Sorry, but I do *hate* the Windows7 "Windows Explorer".

How can I get it to look more like it did in WindowsXP?

e.g. When I am showing any given folder in the right hand column, I want it to show me where a I *VISUALLY* in the left hand column.
i.e. I what to see the full folder structrure in the left hand column !

Also I want the "vertical lines" back in the left hand column that you used to get in WindowsXP when you UN-ticked "Display simple folder view in Explorer's Folders list". Is there an equivalent option in Windows7?

Also when I use keystrokes (e.g. Up; Down; Left; Right cursor control keys) to navigate Windows Explorer in Windows7 the bl**dy thing jumps around in unexpected ways & it's hard to see what's going on.

How can I make it all more like WinXP? (!)

With thanks


Ship

1. Open any folder
2. Click Organize (at the top keft)
3. Click Folder and Search Options
4. And try those 2 options:

5. Close all folders
6. Open My computer and try to navigate

Now that is strange - I hatedIB the old explorer and really like this new one. I do miss the Alt-ArrowUp shortcut though. I don't think there's any way of doing what you want without using a third-party explorer replacement. These definitely exist, and a search should turn up plenty (whether all of them will work with W7 is another question, but you should be lucky; try Windows Explorer Replacement – Free Commander)

jav said:

1. Open any folder
2. Click Organize (at the top keft)
3. Click Folder and Search Options
4. And try those 2 options:

5. Close all folders
6. Open My computer and try to navigate

Ah - thanks Jav - that's certainly a good start. :)

Mind you although slightly better than before, using cursor arrows to navigate the highlighted (i.e. current) folder does still leap around up and down the screen somewhat.

Also How can I get the vertical lines back though in the Folders window?
(i.e. a non- "simple view") :/

Ship

shiphen said:

Ah - thanks Jav - that's certainly a good start. :)

Mind you although slightly better than before, using cursor arrows to navigate the highlighted (i.e. current) folder does still leap around up and down the screen somewhat.

Also How can I get the vertical lines back though in the Folders window?
(i.e. a non- "simple view") :/

Ship

What do you mean by vertical lines?

(sorry, forgot XP a bit )

AvatarOfTheShip said:

...try Windows Explorer Replacement – Free Commander)

Thanks - but only if I really have to!

shiphen said:

Also I want the "vertical lines" back in the left hand column that you used to get in WindowsXP when you UN-ticked "Display simple folder view in Explorer's Folders list". Is there an equivalent option in Windows7?

The latest version of Classic Shell can do that: ANN: Classic Shell 0.9.8 -now with skinnable start menu

Check out the screenshots here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/
The last screenshot shows the different ways the navigation pane can look.

surfasb said:

I'm curious what these vertical lines are myself..

Is it a grid or something?

Look at the first screenshot in the attached image.

Okay I have installed Classic Shell... and yes I have (eventually) managed to get the vertical lines back into the Folders View. However I do find it disappointing that there isn't such functionality built into Win7 itself. Afterall I dont want to have to reverse build the whole of Win7 bit by bit!
Worse, I am clearly losing a lot of other new Win7 functionality by installing Class Shell at the same time... To be fair, half the point of my getting Win7 is to become familiar with the new interface that everyone else will be using (eventually).

Anyhow thanks :)