ShellFolderFix - Manage folder window positions/size

[Yahya]

Hi Tweaker, and thanks for this useful app!

I noticed a couple of minor complaints in this forum about the (relative lack of) documentation, and wondered if I might be able to help out? (I've documented more than a few apps over the last 3 decades or more.)

Anyway, I've taken the liberty of expanding your "ReadMe.txt" file with some extra notes, and would be glad to share the results with you. Tell me where to email the file "ShellFolderFix ReadMe.txt" and I'll do so, or I could lob it into my temp folder on eSnips, or upload it using Windows Messenger, or ... you name it.

Again, thanks for sharing the app with us all!

Regards,
Yahya

 

[tweaker]

Hi, thank you kindly for the effort. If it's possible could you paste it into a PM to me? That should be quick and painless. (If you put the text inside [code][/code] tags it should retain formatting).

 

[graigk]

Run ShellFolderFix at Startup?

Does ShellFolderFix have to run at Startup or do the changes stick when run from dsekto icon?

 

[tweaker]

Not sure what you mean by the changes sticking. You can start it manually, it won't open folders from previous session (even if that option is enabled), but other than that it should work fine. Whatever folders you currently have open will "snap" into place, to their last recorded size/position by SFF, when you start it.

 

[Clyde54]

This is not working for me. Same as before. Windows settings are not remembered. Is there a specific setting that turns this feature on?

 

[tweaker]

Windows settings are not remembered. Is there a specific setting that turns this feature on?

Just to avoid misunderstandings, by "windows settings" do you mean their size and position (and only folder windows, no other apps)?

From time to time there have been users that thought that SFF will remember view settings or layout (like Detail View, List View, Preview Pane etc. etc.), and currently SFF does not affect those in any way.


edit: Noticed the "WV" in your system specs, are you running SFF in win7 or vista?

 

[Clyde54]

My system is win 7 64 bit. Ok it is remembering window size and position but I was hoping it would also remember the different options under Organize/Layout. But apparently not?

It just floors me that MS would remove such basic functionality as this.

 

[tweaker]

My system is win 7 64 bit. Ok it is remembering window size and position but I was hoping it would also remember the different options under Organize/Layout. But apparently not?

It just floors me that MS would remove such basic functionality as this.

I'm afraid it doesn't do anything more than size and position so far. I myself wish it could also remember view settings. The intent was (and is) that I'll see if I can find some "hack"/workaround to support view settings, but I haven't had any time yet (it's quite a time consuming process with a big chance of leading nowhere).

 

[Yahya]

Updating documentation

Hi, thank you kindly for the effort. If it's possible could you paste it into a PM to me? That should be quick and painless. (If you put the text inside tags it should retain formatting).

Well, I tried that, but apparently I don't have permission ... - yet? I'm devastated! However, since the file is plain text - just an edit of your own "ReadMe.txt"(*) - I'll include it below as "code" and you can just copy & paste it.

(*) Since you used hard carriage returns to create some indenting, I've left them in place. However, I've formatted my additions without inessential carriage returns, to make editing easier.

Just a warning to anybody else reading this: the readme text file below is not an official version, just a suggested edit for Tweaker to use.
​

ShellFolderFix ReadMe.txt
=========================

This file, "ShellFolderFix ReadMe.txt", is the plain text documentation describing a small utility for Windows 7, called ShellFolderFix.  I wrote it for my own use, to overcome an annoyance that made using Windows 7 unpleasant.  I have released it for anybody else to use if they wish.


Purpose and Functions
=====================

ShellFolderFix is an application for Windows 7 that manages shell folder windows, so that they remember size and position. Future versions may also manage per folder view modes and layout, but currently it does NOT. There is a slim chance that it also works on Windows Vista but that is neither tested, intended nor officially supported.


Availability
============

The latest version of ShellFolderFix is available from the official ShellFolderFix partner website, Windows 7 Forums, at:
    http://www.sevenforums.com

Follow instructions on the website to download ShellFolderFix.


Cost
====

- You can use any version of ShellFolderFix described in this file without charge.

- You may not sell ShellFolderFix.

- You may provide a complete copy of ShellFolderFix, including this documentation, on any website, provided only that the website is available to the public free of charge.

- You may provide a complete copy of ShellFolderFix, including this documentation, on any compilation disc, provided only that you do not charge more than a modest fee for materials and handling.

- If you choose to make ShellFolderFix available to others, you must prominently display the official partner website - described above under "Availability" - where the latest version of ShellFolderFix is available.


Which program should I use to install ShellFolderFix?
====================================================

There are three methods of installation, as follows:

For easy installation:
---------------------
Download and run "ShellFolderFixSetup.exe", which is a full installer program that automatically works out what kind of Windows 7 system you have, and installs the appropriate version of ShellFolderFix.


For any 32-bit Windows 7 system:
-------------------------------
Download "ShellFolderFix32.zip" and unzip it into a suitable folder (e.g. "Program Files\ShellFolderFix\") to install ShellFolderFix.


For any 64-bit Windows 7 system:
-------------------------------
Download "ShellFolderFix64.zip" and unzip it into a suitable folder (e.g. "Program Files\ShellFolderFix\") to install ShellFolderFix.


Using the program
=================

If you wish, you can pin the ShellFolderFix to the Start Menu.

First use
---------

The first time you run ShellFolderFix, you should set the Options to suit the way you like to work.  To understand what each option does, just hover the mouse cursor over the option and read the tooltip, i.e. the hint that pops up.  By default, the tooltip disappears after a short while.  You can change this behaviour by checking the "Extended tooltip display times" checkbox near the bottom of the Options window.


Commandline switches:
====================

/portable
    Will load and save configuration and all data files (database, workspaces etc.)
    to the same folder as the ShellFolderFix executable. Options will also be stored
    in a file instead of the Windows registry. This functionality is primarily intended
    when running from a portable device. The "Start automatically at logon" option will
    be disabled as it makes little sense when running from a portable device.
    Note that this isn't intended to be used with the installer-based version, as the
    installer will not delete any data files from the application folder should that be
    requested.


Limitations:
===========

- Handles a maximum of 200 open folder windows (A folder window is a regular folder
  as well as My Computer, Network Neighborhood, network folders etc.)

- Database size configurable from 300 to 10,000 folders


Known Issues:
============

- Does not restore special folders like My Computer, Network Neighborhood etc.,
  when restoring a workspace or at startup. This also applies to network computer
  root folders (ie. "\\somecomputer"), unless Windows folder option "Display the full
  path in the title bar" is enabled. Note that it works the same way for Aero even
  if the folder option says "Classic theme only".
  Will hopefully be solved in future versions.

- Save/Restore Desktop Icons will not properly restore multiple icons with same name.
  For example "desktop.ini", which may be visible when hidden files are displayed,
  will often show up twice on the desktop, once from the All Users desktop and once
  for the logged in user.

- When using the "Disable flashing folder window titles" option it can in some cases cause
  an auto-hiding taskbar to stay visible constantly after windows logon, until all open
  folders have been brought to front once. For some reason the taskbar thinks that the
  folders are still flashing and does not auto-hide until each folder has been brought
  into focus. This might only be the case if the Windows option "Restore previous folder
  windows at logon" is enabled.


Help
====

There is an active forum where you can ask questions about ShellFolderFix at the official ShellFolderFix partner website, Windows 7 Forums, at:
    http://www.sevenforums.com

Follow instructions on the website to access the ShellFolderFix forum.


Copyright and License:
=====================

Copyright (C) 2009-2010 Georg Fischer

This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied warranty.  In no event will the author be held liable for any damages arising from the use of this software.

Permission is granted to anyone to use this software and redistribute it freely, subject to the following restrictions:

1. The origin of this software must not be misrepresented; you must not
   claim that you wrote the original software.

2. This notice may not be removed or altered from any distribution.

3. This software may not be sold individually or as a part of a package.


Change log:
==========

v1.1.3
------
- fixed folder tracking bug with (some or many?) non-english Windows versions,
   which could cause some windows to open with wrong size/position
- fixed explorer deadlock bug that often happened when using "Open folder location"
   from the context menu
- fixed small (and rare) mis-positioning issue with desktop icon restore
- added confirmation dialogs for desktop icons save/restore, to reduce the risks
   of accidently picking the wrong one
- added option for temporarily enabling extended display times of help tooltips


v1.1.2
------
- fixed bug with recently used folder list not being restored across sessions even
   though "Keep recent folder across sessions" was enabled (this only happend when
   the database was at full capacity)
- added /portable commandline switch which loads/saves all configuration and data
   files in the same directory as the EXE file (Windows registry is not used)
- added window extact overlap prevention when multiple windows of the same folder is
   opened (avoids the windows ending up at the exact same position)
- fixed (rare?) bug that did not correctly identify search windows, which could result
   in incorrect behavior in some areas including "Update window for search result"
- some other smaller internal fixes


v1.1.1
------
- changed workspace saving to include "temp" folders when using "Temporarily use
   window as is"
- fixed minor issue with Aero window icons, when "Show window title icons" is enabled,
   resulted in a less crisp (wrongly scaled down) icon
- fixed incorrect workspace order across sessions (most recently restored workspace was
   no longer on top of list in next session)
- added workspace manager dialog (to delete and/or access more than 16 workspaces)
- added (manual) online version check functionality

v1.1.0
------
- added option to enable/disable restoring of open windows from previous session on
   start up (previous versions always restored windows)
- changed manual app start behavior, leaves already open and minimized windows as
   minimized

v1.0.9
------
- fixed serious bug in db mem handling, could cause issues when db is full (and oldest
   entries are discarded)
- fixed bug which (hopefully) was the cause of some windows occasionally not being
   saved in workspaces

v1.0.8
------
- added desktop icon save/restore, saves/restores positions (only) of desktop icons

v1.0.7
------
- fixed workspace loading bug, failed to correctly restore minimized windows (related
   to same bug partially fixed in v1.0.6)

v1.0.6
------
- fixed bug (introduced in v1.0.3) with restoring minimized windows on start up

v1.0.5
------
- fixed minor bug with reading recently used folder size from registry
- added option to enable a workaround for window redraw issues when using the
   Basic theme (or non-transparent Aero)

v1.0.4
------
- hotfix for 32-bit version (all previous version failed to init due to incorrect
   32-bit dll symbol)

v1.0.3
------
- added recently used folder list functionality
- added more error handling and messages when app initialization fails
- fixed bug where opening a folder, that was previously minimized, opened
   it in minimized state (should only happen on windows startup)

v1.0.2
------
- added options to enable window title text and/or icon, when using Aero theme
- fixed so tray icon should correctly re-appear after an explorer restart/crash

v1.0.1
------
- added default settings functionality, when opening folders not yet in the database
- fixed handling of snapped windows
- added minimize all folders option to tray context menu
- fixed bug with update of dialog controls after pressing cancel

v1.0.0
------
First working release.


Last update
===========

This documentation file, "ShellFolderFix ReadMe.txt", was last updated on 3 September 2010.  The author is Georg Fischer.  This documentation file is Copyright (C) 2009-2010 Georg Fischer.

Hope you find this useful!

 

[tweaker]

Thanks, I've saved the text (in case you wanted to remove it from the post again). I'll have a look when I get a little free time (hopefully sometime during the next days).

 

[somewon1]

window jumps when changing folders in explorer

This is a nice little app to remedy a nasty surprise from Microsoft (I'm assuming there is some technical reason for the lack of folder memory - if not, ... well, I'll keep this PG ).

One problem I have run into (which has led to me maximizing all explorer windows) is that my explorer windows will remember their size, but when I switch between folders/libraries the window will occasionally jump a couple of millimeters and stay there until I change to another folder. The top border of the window does not move, but the rest of the window, from about 3 or 4 mils down from the top to the bottom will be offset, with the offset visible on the right side - the close button stays in place but immediately below it the window is shifted a few mils to the left.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is there a fix/workaround?

Thanks,
SW

 

[tweaker]

Has anyone else noticed this? Is there a fix/workaround?

I'm not sure I understood correctly, but it sounds a lot like the redraw bug. If I did understand correctly you are using the Basic Aero theme (the non-transparent one), in which case you can go into SFF options and check the "Enable Basic theme redraw fix". That solved the issue at least in my tests.

 

[Nemai04]

Experience update

Just thought I would comment a couple of things after while of ShellFolderFix use: It works most of the time, but regularly the Computer window which I like to keep open on the desktop corner (to see disks) will end up in odd places, huge sometimes, and seems to happen a lot more on 7 than Vista. It would be perfect as far as I am concerned if that could be addressed.

 

[Fawkrin]

You probably need to be more specific. I have used SFF on W7x64 for about 4 months now, not a single buggy issue.

 

[tweaker]

but regularly the Computer window which I like to keep open on the desktop corner (to see disks) will end up in odd places, huge sometimes, and seems to happen a lot more on 7 than Vista.

Does this happen on startup/logon or when you manually open Computer during normal usage (like double clicking on the icon)?

 

[retiredfields]

This is a great app. One request. It would be nice to be able to suspend saving window locations as you exit them. I like to move windows around, as I am using them, but not save their new positions. Rather, I like to have them revert to their saved default locations. I have not found a way to disable the automatic save functionality. An on-off switch, in the right click menu, would be great.

Ken

 

[tweaker]

I have not found a way to disable the automatic save functionality. An on-off switch, in the right click menu, would be great.

You mean completely disable it for all windows by an option in the SFF tray icon context menu? That seems like it wouldn't be too hard to add.

Lately I've also been thinking of adding (as an option) the ability to prevent saving when a window is closed by holding down shift while closing. That would not prevent saving when navigating to a new location within the same window though, so I haven't decided yet.

 

[retiredfields]

Yes sir, that is exactly what I mean. Then you can set up window locations, where you like them, and they will always open at that location, even if they have been moved in the previous session.

Your idea is also great. Hold the shift key for one particular window or right click and disable saving location for all windows.

Thanks

Ken

 

[Nemai04]

Computer Window

tweaker: Yeah, the Computer window which I normally keep open in a small window in the upper right hand corner (to see loaded disks), will regularly be large way off in the middle of the screen on startup, even if I left it in place at shut down. I understand if this happens after playing a game or something that changes the display resolution, the windows will be out of place, but that is not what happens when the Computer window opens in odd places at startup. *This may not have been noticed before because most people don't keep the Computer window open like that continually.

 

[KenRD]

Enhancement

I have been using your tool for a few weeks now and it is great. I typically have a few Explorer windows open, each rooted to a different folder and/or drive and like to keep them organized at specific locations.

I have a suggestion for an enhancement or possibly a bug fix. Say you have two Explorer windows open, one configured to be on the top left of the screen the other on the bottom right. If I use the one on the bottom right and navigate to the folder the one on the top left is configured for, the one on the bottom right moves to the top left. It would be nice to be able to keep them where they are regardless of which folder you are currently viewing.

Again, thanks for a great tool

I am running Windows 7 Professional X64.

Ken