Focus is not on folders/files when explorer window opens

[Rave79x]

Hi,

In XP, if I opened up a folder, I could start typing and the folders/files list view would jump down according to the letters I typed in.

In Windows 7, this does not happen - the focus remains in the left panel (i.e. Favourites, Libraries, Homegroup etc).

Does anyone know if there is a fix to make the focus switch to folders/files when a folder opens?

TIA,

R.

 

[Imperfect1]

Are you referring to AutoComplete or Auto Suggest in Windows Explorer? Take a look at these tutorials:

WINDOWS EXPLORER – AUTO COMPLETE – FOR ADDRESS BAR
Windows Explorer AutoComplete - Turn On or Off

WINDOWS EXPLORER – AUTO SUGGEST – FOR ADDRESS BAR
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off

WINDOWS EXPLORER – AUTO COMPLETE – FOR SEARCH BOX
Recent ‘Search Box’ Suggestions - Enable or Disable

 

[Rave79x]

Are you referring to AutoComplete or Auto Suggest in Windows Explorer? Take a look at these tutorials:

WINDOWS EXPLORER – AUTO COMPLETE – FOR ADDRESS BAR
Windows Explorer AutoComplete - Turn On or Off

WINDOWS EXPLORER – AUTO SUGGEST – FOR ADDRESS BAR
Windows Explorer Auto Suggest - Turn On or Off

WINDOWS EXPLORER – AUTO COMPLETE – FOR SEARCH BOX
Recent ‘Search Box’ Suggestions - Enable or Disable

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

But no, I'm not referring to either.

I am talking about Windows Explorer. Like I say, in Windows XP, if you open any folder in Explorer, then start typing the folders/files list view would jump down according to the letters I typed in.

For example, let's pretend i open a folder that has 1000 sub folders within it: 001, 002, 003, 004 etc. Obviously, you couldn't see all those folders at once. So the moment the parent folder was opened, if I typed, say 788, the view would jump down and folder number "788" would be visible and highlighted.

For this to happen, the focus (Focus (computing) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) needs to be on the files/folder panel. This does not happen in Windows 7.

Can anyone help?

 

[CreepinJesus]

Odd - mine opens with focus on the main window like you want, but I'm not sure how to change what gets focussed first. But seeing as we have differing results, I guess that's good news: somewhere is a setting to change initial focus!

 

[Imperfect1]

Hmmmm, when I open a folder in Windows Explorer and do a search, I enter the letters in the Search Box, and all of the relevant files start displaying (not just the 'recent' ones, but all of them), just as you described. Perhaps you'd better take a look at this tutorial again: Recent ‘Search Box’ Suggestions - Enable or Disable

 

[Rave79x]

Odd - mine opens with focus on the main window like you want, but I'm not sure how to change what gets focussed first. But seeing as we have differing results, I guess that's good news: somewhere is a setting to change initial focus!

Thanks for replying. Does this happen when you click on a folder from the favourites panel on the left?

Just for reference, the focus remains within the left panel, after I click a favourites folder.

Hmmmm, when I open a folder in Windows Explorer and do a search, I enter the letters in the Search Box, and all of the relevant files start displaying (not just the 'recent' ones, but all of them), just as you described. Perhaps you'd better take a look at this tutorial again: Recent ‘Search Box’ Suggestions - Enable or Disable

Thanks for replying, but what I'm talking about does not relate to search. Search filters results from the folder (and sub folders). You'll have to re-read my second attempt at explaining to see what I mean.

 

[CreepinJesus]

Odd - mine opens with focus on the main window like you want, but I'm not sure how to change what gets focussed first. But seeing as we have differing results, I guess that's good news: somewhere is a setting to change initial focus!

Thanks for replying. Does this happen when you click on a folder from the favourites panel on the left?

Just for reference, the focus remains within the left panel, after I click a favourites folder.

When I click on a favourite, focus goes to the left panel where the favourites are.

 

[Rave79x]

OK thanks.

 

[SundRance]

What about making a shortcut to Explorer:

%windir%\explorer.exe C:\Users\ACCOUNT NAME\Documents\

Above is the pinned shortcut on my task bar. This opens Windows Explorer at Account Name\My Documents and the focus IS in the right hand pane.

You might try just running the comman in the Run box first. If it works, you can modify the shortcut you use to open Explorer.

 

[Rave79x]

Thanks. Indeed the focus is in the right window but am really hoping for a solution for the favourites links. I tried placing the link in the favourites list but Win7 doesn't allow it.

If anyone can think of anything, I will reply after my holiday (19th).

TIA,
R.

 

[SundRance]

I don't use favorites. If you HAVE a favorite that opens Windows Explorer, can you not select its properties and use the path as stated above?

I did away with favorites right after I updated to Windows 7. Didn't care for the feature.

Best Wishes and happy holidays.

 

[Rave79x]

I don't use favorites. If you HAVE a favorite that opens Windows Explorer, can you not select its properties and use the path as stated above?

I did away with favorites right after I updated to Windows 7. Didn't care for the feature.

Best Wishes and happy holidays.

Just to clarify, I'm talking about the Favourite folders displayed at the top of the left panel in Windows Explorer. I thought this was a new feature of Vista/7.

I used your method to create a link to one of my favourite folders. The link works fine from the desktop. I can also place it in the taskbar. But explorer displays "Cannot place in Favourites" when the item is hovering over the left panel.

 

[kado897]

Thanks. Indeed the focus is in the right window but am really hoping for a solution for the favourites links. I tried placing the link in the favourites list but Win7 doesn't allow it.

If anyone can think of anything, I will reply after my holiday (19th).

TIA,
R.

If you press Tab focus shifts to the right panel.

 

[Rave79x]

Thanks. Indeed the focus is in the right window but am really hoping for a solution for the favourites links. I tried placing the link in the favourites list but Win7 doesn't allow it.

If anyone can think of anything, I will reply after my holiday (19th).

TIA,
R.

If you press Tab focus shifts to the right panel.

OK thanks.

I still think this is a bug or a design flaw. If you've clicked a favourite, it's highly likely the action you want to take next is within the main folders panel.

 

[kado897]

Thanks. Indeed the focus is in the right window but am really hoping for a solution for the favourites links. I tried placing the link in the favourites list but Win7 doesn't allow it.

If anyone can think of anything, I will reply after my holiday (19th).

TIA,
R.

If you press Tab focus shifts to the right panel.

OK thanks.

I still think this is a bug or a design flaw. If you've clicked a favourite, it's highly likely the action you want to take next is within the main folders panel.

I agree.

 

[SundRance]

I also was talking abou the favorites in Windows Explorer. I DID NOT care for the feature and disabled it. while I still use Libraries - why I do not know - in Windows Explorer, I removed the favorites folders. I rarely use Libraries either and should probably just remove those too ...

Maybe that is why the focus loads in the right pane for me?

Farewell,
Rªnce