Doesn't Win7 have autoscroll on "Select folder" boxes?

Nick2 · 06 Jul 2010

Hi,

I've got this very annoying problem.

Let's take ApexDC++, for example. When selecting more than one file and clicking Download to=> Browse, it doesn't autoscroll to the "Downloads" folder like it did in XP. I've attached 2 pictures to understand what I'm trying to say.

The first one(Capture1) shows the window that would appear in Win7, no autoscroll to the Downloads folder, and the second one(Capture2) shows how it would appear in WinXP, with autoscroll to the Downloads folder. This is important when downloading many files into different subfolders located in Downloads folder. It takes less time when you have the Downloads folder right in your face.

For example, I like to download pictures, and many of them have the same name, so I'd have to download them in different subfolders. Now I have to scroll myself everytime.

This problem isn't related to ApexDC++, it is caused by Win7, other software behave like this, too.
DoubleKiller and probably any other software where you'd have to browse to an implicit folder would behave like this.

And, of course, these things don't happen in WinXP.

Is it an option in Win7, or is it a bug?
Does anyone know how to fix this?

Regards,
Nick

MilesAhead · 06 Jul 2010

Hmmmm, never noticed that. It is kind of funky. As a programmer I always hated the "browse for folder" dialog. The way to do it would be to subclass the File Open Dialog, but MS deliberately sealed it so we can't just add onto it and use it. Go figure.

Anyway, for a work-around. Even though the selected folder is out of view, if it has subfolders, hitting the right arrow key will open them under the selected folder and move the focus there. Easier than scrolling down.

Nick2 · 06 Jul 2010

I've discovered that if you go to "Visual Effects" menu and change any option around there and then apply it, the autoscroll for the "Select Folder" box will work, but only a single time. For every change that you do in "Visual Effects" menu, the autoscroll will work one time.

)

For example, I've selected/deselected "Slide open combo boxes" and "Show translucent selection rectangle".

MileAhead, thank you for your reply. I've tried your hint, but it did not work. The focus is on the OK/Cancel buttons and the right arrow moved the selection rectangle to the Cancel button.

MilesAhead · 06 Jul 2010

All I can tell you is I have a test program that opens BrowseForFolder Dialog. I ran it in Vista64 then I ran it in Windows Seven 32 bit. It looked just like your screen shots.

I just ran it again and it worked for me. Maybe you are clicking on the dialog with the mouse? I hit the right arrow key before doing anything else as soon as the dialog comes up. It put the highlight on the default folder and brought it into view in the box.

edit: I didn't try it on a folder with no subfolders. It may act differently. You'll have to experiment and see what does what when.

The program I use is an AutoIt3 script which uses its own wrapper function to call BrowseForFolder Dialog of Windows. It's always possible that whatever was used to program your application used a different setting or something.

It's only 3 lines of AutoIt3 script. If you want to try it yourself here it is. Note that
you should change "C:\download" to a folder that actually exists on your system.
Also if you don't have AutoIt3 installed on your system it's free and you can get
it here:

http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/downloads.shtml

Code:

$folderPath = FileSelectFolder("Press Right Arrow Key before doing anything else!", "", 6, "C:\download")
If @error Then Exit
MsgBox(0,"Test",$folderPath)

Vermaele · 10 Jul 2010

I thought I was the only one with this terrible Win7 flaw behaviour,
every time I have some choose folder window open, the default selected folder is simply out of view. (As Nick2's first screenshot)

Is this a know bug in Win7, or can it be fixed with some reg- or file editing please ?