Windows Explorer taskbar shortcut problems

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  1. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 pro x64
       #1

    Windows Explorer taskbar shortcut problems


    When I first installed Windows 7 last March, I followed one of the threads here to make the Windows explorer taskbar shortcut open to the Computer. Recently the shortcut stopped working so I made a new one and went through the process to edit it to open on the Computer, only I found that the Windows Explorer shortcut cannot be edited anymore, any change makes it stop working, is this something which has been changed in a recent update or has something become corrupted on my os?

    For instance if I do this and click apply and OK, the shortcut will no longer work:

    Open Start menu > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer. Right click & select Properties.
    In the Target box you will see : %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
    Copy paste and change it to: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}




    I'm stumped

      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,533
    Windows 7 Professional x64 Service Pack 1
       #2

    Vortechs said:
    When I first installed Windows 7 last March, I followed one of the threads here to make the Windows explorer taskbar shortcut open to the Computer. Recently the shortcut stopped working so I made a new one and went through the process to edit it to open on the Computer, only I found that the Windows Explorer shortcut cannot be edited anymore, any change makes it stop working, is this something which has been changed in a recent update or has something become corrupted on my os?

    For instance if I do this and click apply and OK, the shortcut will no longer work:

    Open Start menu > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer. Right click & select Properties.
    In the Target box you will see : %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
    Copy paste and change it to: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}



    I'm stumped

    Try system restoring to a time before the shortcut stopped working: System Restore
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Yeah, I would have done that but I've done a ton of work on this os since it started and I really dont want to install all that software again and set it all up.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    Hello Vortechs, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    It looks like you are using the wrong path for the targret. It should be either one below to open the "Computer" window. The tutorial below can give you more details on this if you like. :)

    Computer - Pin to Taskbar


    %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder

    OR

    %windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder

    OR

    %windir%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}


    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for taking the time to answer my post Shawn. I tried all 3 that you've suggested there with no luck and I also downloaded the Computer shortcut and unblocked it, it doesn't work either... If I edit the downloaded shortcut from: %windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder to: %windir%\explorer.exe then it opens to Libraries... could something be wrong with the path to Computer? Also my computer wont allow me to pin the Computer shortcut to the taskbar, it displays a little red no entry sign.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    Yeah, %windir%\explorer.exe is the default Windows Explorer path. If you open the Start Menu, and click on the Computer button on the dark right side, does it open to the "Computer" window in Windows Explorer?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Yes it does, and when I re-add the Computer shortcut back on the desktop it also works.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #8

    Hmm, ok. As a test, see if the below may work.
    • unpin all "Windows Explorer" and "Computer" shortcuts
    • Create a new "Computer" shortcut on your desktop and verify that it works
    • Next, right click on the new "Computer" shortcut on the desktop, and click on "Pin to taskbar".
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I tried making a new shortcut to:
    %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
    but I am unable to make a new desktop shortcut for Computer that works. I can only go to "personalize" - "change desktop icons" and re-add "Computer" that way (which of course you cannot edit because it's not a shortcut, right clicking on it and clicking properties only opens: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\System )

    If I make a shortcut of the Computer desktop icon and right click on it there is no pin to taskbar in the menu and if I attempt to drag it to the taskbar it says "Pin to Explorer?" Which creates a new Windows Explorer icon that opens Libraries...

    I looked back though Firefox History and found the original thread I followed, I tried it again but it does not work, also trying to change it to Documents doesn't work either:

    Trick to Open Computer or Documents as Default Instead of Libraries Folder with Windows Explorer on Windows 7 « My Digital Life
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #10

    As a test, you could see if using the tutorial below will restore the "Pin to taskbar" and "Pin to Start Menu" items in the context menu. Afterwards, see if the shortcut will work properly and if you are able to pin it again. :)

    Pin to Taskbar and Pin to Start Menu Missing from Context Menu Fix
      My Computer


 
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