Windows 7: Customize left column of Windows-Explorer

Hi!
Is it possible to alter the behavior of the left column (with the favorites and the file tree) of the Windows-Explorer? One thing that changed from Vista to Windows 7 is that the favorites are no longer fixed, which is a major annoyance. Another thing that bothers me is the fact that Windows-Explorer still shows my user folder opened, although I don't use that at all (I got my personal files on another partition, as is right and proper). Therefore I have to scroll all the time to see either my favorites or some other folder.
Thanks.

Hello Fennomenal,

Normally, Windows Explorer will open the same way that you had the folders closed or expanded in the navigation pane as when it was last closed.

You might also see if these may help customize the navigation pane to how you like:

• Navigation Pane - Show All Folders
• Navigation Pane - Automatically expand to current folder
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove "Computer"
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove "Control Panel"
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove "Favorites"
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove "Homegroup"
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove "Libraries" Folder
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove "Network"
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove "Recycle Bin"
• Navigation Pane - Add or Remove your "User Folder"

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks for your response. I closed the folders and they stay closed. It didn't occur to me because they were opened by default in the first place. Is there maybe some great tweaking / customizing tool for Win 7's Windows Explorer, especially in terms of appearance?

You're welcome.

Depending on what you are wanting, there are certainly many 3rd party customization programs to change the appearance, but that's a discussion for a new thread since it's a different topic.