How to make Explorer open differently

pintree3 · 10 Apr 2013

Every time we open Explorer, whether it be from C: drive or another drive what you end up on the left column is Libraries being opened and showing its sub folders (Documents, Music, etc.) and also the folder of your computer (which has a name you gave it when you installed windows). Below it are sub-folders, 'AppData, Application Data, Contacts, Cookies, etc.).
This showing of sub-folders bothers me in a few ways -1- the list is endless -2- some of the folders you can't even access ("Location is not available" message pops up) -3- I never use most of those sub-folders and most importantly of all -4- what I want is below this long list of sub-folders which forces me to scroll down.
My questions are these -1- How can I stop explorer opening itself with all of these sub-folders showing (just show its main folder and not its subs) -2- Can I safely 100% delete some of these folders since I never but never use them for ex, my Libraries

Brink · 10 Apr 2013

Hello pintree,

You could uncheck the Automatically expand to current folder box in Folder Options in the tutorial below to stop explorer from auto expanding them as you navigate.

Navigation Pane - Automatically expand to current folder

Normally, the folder window will open how it was last closed. You could closed the expanded areas in the navigation pane and close the window, and it should still be closed the next you open it.

You do not want to delete the folders in the navigation pane since that would actually delete the real folders. If you like, you could do either one of the tutorials below to help.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn