ShellFolderFix - Manage folder window positions/size

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  1. Posts : 194
    w7-64, w2k
       #1

    ShellFolderFix - Manage folder window positions/size


    This is an app to make win7 explorer folder windows remember their size and position. It has a couple of additional features too, and hopefully some more later on. It does NOT manage window size/positions of regular applications, if you want that, other apps like Window Manager do it. Allthough I haven't tried it, in theory it should work to run Window Manager simultaneously, if it's configured to ignore folder windows (found as "CabinetWClass"). I'd strongly recommend configuring WM to ignore them, or disable WM, before running ShellFolderFix, to avoid any potential "fighting" between the two apps.


    Packages available are non-installer versions (.zip) and a unified installer for both 32- and 64-bit systems (ShellFolderFixSetup.exe). When using the installer to upgrade from a previous version, it's good practice to exit any currently running ShellFolderFix before starting the installer, to reduce chances of needing a reboot.

    Mini-FAQ

    Q: Should I download the installer (ShellFolderFixSetup.exe) or an installer-less package (.zip)?
    A:
    If you're asking this question then the answer is, download the installer :). The installer-less versions are only intended for those that know how to use them and explicitly don't want an installer.
    -
    Q: Do I have to uninstall the old version first, when upgrading to a new one?
    A:
    No, just running the new installer should work fine. However it would be a good idea to exit ShellFolderFix if you have it running, before starting the installer. This increases the chances to avoid having to reboot after installation.
    -
    Q: My view layout and view mode settings are not properly restored for folders, is something wrong?
    A:
    No, it works as it should. Currently ShellFolderFix does not affect view layout/mode, even though I'd like to add support for it in future if possible. Only window position and size are affected/restored.
    .


    Upgrade strongly suggested for anyone using a version older than 1.0.9


    Current release 1.1.5:

    Changes:

    • added option to prompt user if currently open windows should be closed when restoring a workspace (the default behavior is to always close windows)
    • added option to maintain a "last used" workspace, a workspace that is saved each time the database is saved
    • added option to not save database (except windows restored on startup), iow folders are not remembered between sessions
    • added option to keep a ".BAK" files of the databases (db / workspace db / desktop icon db)
    • updated the small app icon, typically used as tray icon, to a more crisp one rather than the old blurry excessively downsized version
    • fixed bug where some windows occasionally ended up with small size in the top left corner of the desktop, after app startup if "Temporarily use window as is" was set

    ShellFolderFix Installer - ShellFolderFixSetup.zip (1.73 MB)


    Archives without installer:

    ShellFolderFix 64-bit - ShellFolderFix64.zip (1.13 MB)
    ShellFolderFix 32-bit - ShellFolderFix32.zip (927.8 KB)
    Last edited by tweaker; 30 Mar 2018 at 15:46. Reason: new version released
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  2. Posts : 4,282
    Windows 7 Ultimate Vista Ultimate x64
       #2

    Truly excellent work mate, I think you will wake thousands of people happy with this.
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  3. Posts : 137
    Vista (Hate Win 7)
       #3

    TY, its nearly 5am and I'm reluctantly on win 7 right now and its bores me to hell tbh LOL.

    I will try this later but right now an older build of "windowmanager" is doing its job correctly.

    This is not my final set up so I do not mind messing about with it.

    Edit : Ok brains kinda dead at 5am but whats does you App actually do if it does not sort the Folder Positions and I thought this was supposed to be instead of peeps buying "windowmanager" and possibly evetually doing a better job that it does as it does not do Content Layouts.

    I know its the 1st build but what exactly am I going to gain using it over "windowmanager" ?
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  4. Posts : 194
    w7-64, w2k
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Not sure what exactly you mean by "sort the Folder Positions"? It does keep track the folder positions and sizes, when it works as it should :) . If you're running the 32-bit version then perhaps that's the problem, as I haven't been able to try it. Or maybe if WM was running, it was interfering.

    I'd rather say what it does different than WM, instead of "better". Since it's also a matter of personal preference, what is better and what not. I'll try to list a couple of things (maybe WM can do some of them, I'm not familiar enough):

    - correctly restores minimized/maximized states of folders when you log in (/ start windows)
    - workspaces, allows you to save "presets" of your open folders (can be useful if you work on different projects and are used to have a set of folders open specifically for each project), or just restore a common folder setup in case windows messes it up
    - tracks folders by folder name, and not window title. Which makes functionality completely independent of the windows setting to display full path in window title or not
    - is able to track folder changes when navigating to different folders inside a single window. This feature also allows you to have search results display with a different window size/pos. Nice if you have smaller folder windows but want to automatically see search results in a big window, without it affecting the original folder's settings. (There are configuration options for how you want these things to work).
    - costs you 0
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  5. Posts : 15
    windws 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    Hey tweaker. Nice app I love it. I tried the installer and at the moment it seems to work as intended.
    Though if I could suggest something to add to it's functionality to make it more like xp's default behavior.
    As you might of noticed windows7 has a very primitive window size remembering that only works for 2 folders max.
    When I resize a window with your app running in the background, it helps windows7 remember the size and position of that window forever and that is cool but when I open a new window that hasn't been resized using your app, that new window is going to have the same size as the previous one that I resized.
    In xp the windows that weren't resized manually before, always opened up in a standard default medium size and they didn't retain the size of the previous resized windows.
    For example I open a folder with a few icons in it and I resize that window to a very small size and next if I open a folder with lots of icons in it, it's going to be very small if I didn't previously resized it with your app running. Is there anything that can be done to disable windows 7's native window size remembering and only use the one provided by your app?
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  6. Posts : 137
    Vista (Hate Win 7)
       #6

    tweaker, look at my post.

    It was 5am and I stated I had not ran it yet.

    I am on 64bit but going by your initial description and my brain not working at 5am it looks like it will not help me.

    "windowmanager" does help 99% anyhow.

    I may be misinterpreting your description though.
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  7. Posts : 137
    Vista (Hate Win 7)
       #7

    @ MrDeviance, AFAICS Win 7 only knows 1 Folder Size.

    That's the whole issue for me.

    Brand new install of Win 7 will open all windows Medium (as you put it), ok I then open "My Comp" and drag it edge to edge of my Monitor (not using Maximise Button), and then close it.

    It will reopen that size now forever but I now open Recycle Bin (first time ever) and its the same size as "My Comp".

    Ok I resize the Recycle Bin back down to a more Medium size and close it as its not needed any larger.

    Reopen Recycle Bin its still the Medium size but when I open "My Comp" it is now also Medium size.

    Is this not the same issue you have with Win 7 ?

    P.S I know IE (WM if imported) WMP and a few more Apps will not count as folders so be fine either way.
    Last edited by helmutcheese; 22 Nov 2009 at 10:03. Reason: Typo
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  8. Posts : 194
    w7-64, w2k
    Thread Starter
       #8

    MrDeviance said:
    In xp the windows that weren't resized manually before, always opened up in a standard default medium size and they didn't retain the size of the previous resized windows.
    For example I open a folder with a few icons in it and I resize that window to a very small size and next if I open a folder with lots of icons in it, it's going to be very small if I didn't previously resized it with your app running. Is there anything that can be done to disable windows 7's native window size remembering and only use the one provided by your app?
    I agree, if you take a quick peek in the readme you'll notice it's the first point under Known Issues, and that'll add that feature ASAP :) In fact I nearly did before this release, but then I decided to just get the first version out, because I was already a day later than promised.

    helmutcheese said:
    tweaker, look at my post.

    It was 5am and I stated I had not ran it yet.

    I am on 64bit but going by your initial description and my brain not working at 5am it looks like it will not help me.

    "windowmanager" does help 99% anyhow.

    I may be misinterpreting your description though.
    No problem. I answered at 6am but if WM does everything you need then great. This is more intended for those where WM leaves you with a feeling of "this is pretty good, but I wish it would...", ie. if you want any of the features that WM doesn't have. I think the most signifficant being that this one can update a single window as you navigate to a new location (or list search results), whereas I think WM will only affect the window when it's opened and then never touch it again.

    As I mentioned in the other thread I'll also continue looking into more advanced stuff like remembering view settings, but I can't guarantee success on that.
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  9. Posts : 137
    Vista (Hate Win 7)
       #9

    I basically want it back the old way.

    I know "windowsmanager" has limitations as I have read all the info on the website and inc "read me".

    I'm pretty sure if you want to have a new sized window, "windowmanager" needs your input into its GUI for that specific window (cannot remember as its been months).

    BTW when I put "WM" I mean Window Mail (imported back into Win 7).

    The explanation you gave to MrDeviance answers my question, due to what he asks and your reply.

    Seems like your next build will cater for my needs. :)
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  10. Posts : 51
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #10

    Great job! So far, it works well. However, it doesn't remember "snapped" positions. If you figure that out, my problems would be no more.

    I'm not complaining, it works as long as I manually set positions, but it would be handy:)

    Thanks!
    Last edited by jemcgarvey; 22 Nov 2009 at 20:45. Reason: It doesn't work with snapped positions, but it does if you drag windows out manually.
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