Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target

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    Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target

    Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target

    How to Change the Windows 7 Pinned Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon Open To Target
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Change the Windows 7 Pinned Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon Open To Target


       Information
    This will show you how to change the Windows 7 pinned Windows Explorer taskbar icon from the default Open To the Libraries window target to Open To the Computer window target or other possible locations that are available to choose from instead when you click on the Windows Explorer icon on the taskbar.
       Note
    Special thanks to Chappy (aka: Dave) for pointing this out to me, and to Limneos for the additional locations.
       Warning
    By design in Windows, these shortcuts will open a new window in a new process (explorer.exe) each time you use the shortcut. When you close the opened window from the shortcut, the extra explorer.exe process will close with it as well a few moments afterwards.

    EXAMPLE: Windows Explorer icon pinned to the taskbar
    EXAMPLE: Opens to Libraries (default) or Computer
    NOTE: You can also select from the other available options below.
    Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target-libraries.jpg

    Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target-computer.jpg
    Here's How:
    1. Right click on the pinned Windows Explorer taskbar icon, then right click on Windows Explorer in the Jump List and click on Properties. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target-unpin.jpg
    2. In the Shortcut tab, make sure that the field box to the right of Start in is empty.

    3. In the Shortcut tab and to the right of Target, type or copy the path (code) for the location below that you want the Windows Explorer icon to open to instead, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)

    NOTE: You can do this for any item that you know it's {CLSID} registry entry for. You can also specify a specific folder e.g. :
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\somefolder
    Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target-target_properties.jpg
       Note
    Using the Explorer.exe Command Line Syntax/:



    %windir%\explorer.exe [/n][/e][,/root],X,[[/Select],Y]
    • X - Secifies the object, and optionally with sub-object Y.
    • /e - Uses Windows Explorer view. Shows the left Windows Explorer tree view in the navigation pane together with the right pane in list view.
    • /n - Opens in a new window.
    • /root - Will have Explorer.exe explore the root object X and objects belonging to X. On the other hand, when the /root switch is not present, Explorer.exe explores the object X, its children, and other Explorer objects as well.
    • /Select - Puts the focus on a file or folder. The parent folder is opened and the specified object is selected.
    • /Separate - Opens in a separate process.
    For example:

    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,/Select,%WinDir%\system32\calc.exe
    The command above will explore the C:\Windows\System32 folder and put the focus on the calc.exe (calculator) program.
       Tip
    If you want the navigation pane to exand open to the item in Windows 8, then you will need to turn on "Expand to Current Folder" in the navigation pane.



    • Windows Explorer (default) (opens to Libraries)

    (Windows 7)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe
    (Windows 8)
    Code:
    %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\File Explorer.lnk
    • Computer

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
    OR
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder
    • My Documents

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
    • Documents Library

    Code:
    %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\Documents.library-ms
    • Downloads

    Code:
    %UserProfile%\Downloads
    • Recycle Bin

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E
    • Network Neighborhood

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
    • Default Web Browser (ex: Internet Explorer)

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}
    • Computer Search Results Folder

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{1F4DE370-D627-11D1-BA4F-00A0C91EEDBA}
    • Network Search Results Folder

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{E17D4FC0-5564-11D1-83F2-00A0C90DC849}
    • Web Folders

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{BDEADF00-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}
    • Control Panel

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
    • Printers and Faxes

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
    • Scanners and Cameras

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{E211B736-43FD-11D1-9EFB-0000F8757FCD}
    • Fonts

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524152}
    • Network Connections or My Network Place

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}
    • Administrative Tools

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}
    • Tasks Scheduler

    (Opens in new process)
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
    • User Profile (personal) Folder

    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe shell:Profile
    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 2
    XP 64 , Vista 64 , W7 64 tripple boot
       #1

    Thanks, I was struggling with this to get it, I've been using it that way since W 98
    as I see this is excellent for opening 1 window alone but when u have the necessity to open many windows at the time, this is not exactly a shortcut . . .
    I open the folder containing the item I want to copy for instance, then I have to go to desktop or start menu to open an other window, to paste in, or I have to close the first window to open an other without having to right click the pin and open an other window, so the use of pins isn't exactly a very big advantage even if just more beautiful
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    You're welcome t16skyhopper, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,009
    Windows 7 RC 7100 32bit/64bit
       #3

    Libraries Taskbar Icon- Change Default Opening Location


       Note
    By default, Windows Explorer in Windows 7 opens the Libraries location. Following this tutorial you will find how you can change this location to "My Computer" or other possible locations that are available to choose from


    HERE'S HOW:

    1. Right-click the Libraries icon on the taskbar.
    2. Right-click Windows Explorer icon (usually third from bottom on the list)
    and select "Properties".

    3. In the Target text box under Shortcut tab, change the value to one of the following to open either Documents or Computer by default:

    To Make Computer as Default Folder to Open by Windows Explorer upon Launching:
    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
    To Make Documents as Default Folder to Open by Windows Explorer upon Launching:

    Code:
    %windir%\explorer.exe /n,::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
    4. Click OK and you're done.

       Note
    You can do this for any item that you know it's {CLSID}. You can also specify a specific folder e.g. : %windir%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\somefolder


    Limneos



    More available locations:

    Recycle Bin
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
    Network Neighborhood
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
    Default Web Browser or Navigator (IE, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome)
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}
    Computer Search Results Folder
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{1F4DE370-D627-11D1-BA4F-00A0C91EEDBA}
    Network Search Results Folder
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{E17D4FC0-5564-11D1-83F2-00A0C90DC849}
    Web Folders
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{BDEADF00-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}
    Control Panel
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
    Printers and Faxes
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
    Scanners and Cameras
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{E211B736-43FD-11D1-9EFB-0000F8757FCD}
    Fonts
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524152}
    Network Connections or My Network Place
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}
    Administrative Tools
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}
    Tasks Scheduler
    %windir%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target-test.jpg   Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target-test2.jpg  
    Last edited by Brink; 15 Oct 2009 at 21:39. Reason: changed %systemroot% to %windir%
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Limneos,

    Thank you for the additional locations. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 140
    Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit) dual boot with Fedora KDE
       #5

    Thanks works gr8! Actually wanted it this way for 1 click My computer access from anywhere! Very useful for copy/cut paste operations!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,141
    Vista Ult 64 bit Seven Ult RTM x64
       #6

    Great info. Thanks guys.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 19
    Dualboot (Vista Home Premium 32b + Windows 7 Ultimate 32b)
       #7

    Thanks :)>.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,009
    Windows 7 RC 7100 32bit/64bit
       #8

    Brink said:
    Limneos,

    Thank you for the additional locations. :)
    My pleasure, Shawn.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
       #9

    great

    and if u want to change the icon

    Shift + R Click on the Explorer icon
    and click on Properties then in the Customize tab choose Change icon button


    and for more icons type
    %SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll

    in the location bar
      My Computer


 
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