Solved Change default directory when opening explorer?

[akrchstn]

Is there a way to change the directory that automatically opens when opening explorer? Instead of having libraries come up I want to have my home folder.

 

[Brink]

Hello Akrchstn,

Yes, the tutorial below can help show you how to.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2863-windows-explorer-taskbar-icon-change-open-target.html

 

[Ch@n]

a small additional info. In the properties shortcut tab, there are 2 text boxes. One reads Target and the other Starts in. In my case, target was displaying the path to my explorer.exe and starts in shows c:\windows.

As per the above tutorial, I changed the target location to computer path. Clicked apply, and checked. Libraries open again. Checked the shortcut tab, but some how the new target location was not saved. Tried again and now, removed the text box for starts in and clicked on apply and check.

Voila!!! Computer opens up.

Juz my 2 cents!!!

 

[captainjy]

I use %windir%\explorer.exe /e, /root, C, and have for years. This will show you all physical, mapped, removable, and other drives on your computer when launching.

 

[AsokAsus]

All of these solutions result in an extra instance of the explorer.exe process each time the modified shortcut is used, and they accumulate until you logoff.

A simpler and better solution is simply to replace all of the "Windows Explorer.lnk" shortcuts throughout the system with an ordinary folder shortcut named "Windows Explorer.lnk" that points to whatever folder you've chosen.

Here's a little procedure that does this for Windows 7 and 8, where the replacement shortcut points to the %USERPROFILE% folder. The standard admonition should you try this is to first make a restore point as a precaution.

http://reliancepc.com/menu/tips/Downloads/ReplaceDefaultExplorerShortcuts.zip

Once unzipped, you can use 7zip to look inside the resulting .exe (which is a 7z SFX) and see what it does and that nothing nefarious is inside.

 

[AceMagoo]

Or....

All of these solutions result in an extra instance of the explorer.exe process each time the modified shortcut is used, and they accumulate until you logoff.

A simpler and better solution is simply to replace all of the "Windows Explorer.lnk" shortcuts throughout the system with an ordinary folder shortcut named "Windows Explorer.lnk" that points to whatever folder you've chosen.

Here's a little procedure that does this for Windows 7 and 8, where the replacement shortcut points to the %USERPROFILE% folder. The standard admonition should you try this is to first make a restore point as a precaution.

http://reliancepc.com/menu/tips/Downloads/ReplaceDefaultExplorerShortcuts.zip

Once unzipped, you can use 7zip to look inside the resulting .exe (which is a 7z SFX) and see what it does and that nothing nefarious is inside.

What you said appears seems to be true and the explorer processes really build up, I noticed that when I pointed a VM to Computer. I downloaded the link and tried it out and it works well. But then realized I had also tweeked my computer itself and never noticed more than the normal two processes running. I like setting up Favorites but want the real estate taken by the Navigation pane, so that is what I made my default using the technique mentioned by the others. I pointed to “%UserProfile%\Links” as my target and it does not create extra processes (guess because they are only shortcuts or is it UserProfile??). My method just displays shortcuts and displays none of the stats (size, type, date, etc) but can be more versatile, explorer can be altered/added to just by opening the folder/drive you want displayed and in the Navigation pane (Organize ==> Layout ==> Navigation pane) right click Favorites and choose “Add current location to Favorites” or by placing directly in the “Links” folder. Even Snap-ins, anything you can create/copy a shortcut for, just place it into User\YourUserName\Links (which is the folder that explorer will really be first opening to) will then be displayed in explorer when it is opened. They can be quickly removed by deleting from the folder or by right clicking Favorites and choosing “Remove”. You can basically create your own “GOD Mode” to fit your needs, drives, computer, folders, applications, documents, Snap-ins, Iso's, connections, recycle bin. If you're busy working with something for a short time, create a shortcut in the folder (you're already in the folder when you open Explorer and have to navigate anyways – right click ==> New ==> Shourtcut, navigate to what you want...) and just delete it when your done.


In case I lost someone:


Right click “Explorer”, Choose “Properties”, change “Target” in “Shortcut” tab to: %UserProfile%\Links.


Add/Remove links by right clicking “Favorites” in the Navigation pane or by creating/copying shortcuts into the links folder.