How to Designate View in Windows Explorer?

Hikermann · 28 Jan 2015

How can I set the view in Windows Explorer to be the same every time, regardless of what files I've been working on? All my files are on my D:\ drive, but when I open Explorer, it trots off to somewhere in the C:\ drive; I've attempted to set the "default view" (as I understand it is to be done), but that makes no difference. I want it to always open to D:\, showing the files there. Is that possible, or (typically) does Microsoft insist on Doing What's Best For Me and I just have to put up with it?

Many thanks. Appreciated.

Berkey · 28 Jan 2015

If I understand this correctly, all you need to do is right click on the explorer tab in the taskbar (assuming you have it pinned there) and then right clik on the windows exploer option again. Then change the Target from %windir%\explorer.exe to D: and every time you click on it it should open right to D

Hikermann · 28 Jan 2015

Thanks! I'd prefer to have D:\ in the expanded version (left panel), but looking around where you directed I can't find that that would be possible ... so looks like I'll have to settle for D:\ being the default, with the files on that drive showing up in right panel.

Again, thanks.

Berkey · 28 Jan 2015

Also, if you want the expanded tree of your D drive to be shown automatically in the left navigation pane, you can also highlight the D drive, then click on Organize and tick the "automatically expand current folder"

Slartybart · 29 Jan 2015

There are a few places you can launch explorer
Each one has a default starting point

Explorer on Taskbar targets Libraries if it is exposed in the left navigation pane, otherwise it targets Computer

Desktop icons if exposed:
Computer - targets Computer
User Icon - targets your profile

You can always set up a shortcut with a target of D:\ - but placing that on the taskbar makes it a jumplist

This tutorial explains the finer details:
Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target