Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target

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.




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)

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

   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:

%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)

%windir%\explorer.exe

(Windows 8)

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\File Explorer.lnk

• Computer

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

OR

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder

• My Documents

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}

• Documents Library

%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\Documents.library-ms

• Downloads

%UserProfile%\Downloads

• Recycle Bin

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E

• Network Neighborhood

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}

• Default Web Browser (ex: Internet Explorer)

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}

• Computer Search Results Folder

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{1F4DE370-D627-11D1-BA4F-00A0C91EEDBA}

• Network Search Results Folder

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{E17D4FC0-5564-11D1-83F2-00A0C90DC849}

• Web Folders

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{BDEADF00-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}

• Control Panel

(Opens in new process)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}

• Printers and Faxes

(Opens in new process)

%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)

%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)

%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)

%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)

%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)

%windir%\explorer.exe /n /Separate,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}

• User Profile (personal) Folder

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:Profile

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Change Default Open To Target of File Explorer Pinned to Taskbar in Windows 8.1
• How to Pin or Unpin a Program to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Restore the Default Libraries in Windows 7
• How to Pin Your User Files Folder to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Pin the Recycle Bin to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Pin the Control Panel to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Pin Computer to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• CLSID Key (GUID) List for Windows 7
• How to Use and See All Windows 7 Shell Commands

 

[t16skyhopper]

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

 

[Brink]

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

Shawn

 

[limneos]

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:

%windir%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

To Make Documents as Default Folder to Open by Windows Explorer upon Launching:

%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}

 

[Brink]

Limneos,

Thank you for the additional locations.

 

[Dragor1]

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

 

[garysgold]

Great info. Thanks guys.

 

[RoyalNoob3]

Thanks >.

 

[limneos]

Limneos,

Thank you for the additional locations.

My pleasure, Shawn.

 

[gendows]

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

 

[moinmoin]

It works also with shell-commands

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe shell:My Video
or
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe shell:System

 

[chibits]

Is it just me or does it take explorer much longer (about 5 sec) to load if you add the extensions. i tried adding "shell:MyComputerFolder" and "/e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" everytime i try to open explorer it takes 5 secs. Then i removed it again so it opens Libraries and it opened much faster... i am using windows 7 build 7057. it may because the new build because i upgraded from 7048 and didnt noticed this before

 

[Beginning]

Hmmm... Interesting, as I've been using this kinda setup for years. All the way back to Windows 98 days.. C:\ for XP and E:\ for Win7

 

[Brink]

Is it just me or does it take explorer much longer (about 5 sec) to load if you add the extensions. i tried adding "shell:MyComputerFolder" and "/e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" everytime i try to open explorer it takes 5 secs. Then i removed it again so it opens Libraries and it opened much faster... i am using windows 7 build 7057. it may because the new build because i upgraded from 7048 and didnt noticed this before

Hello Chibits, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I have not had any problems like that using:

%windir%\explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

You might give it a try to see how it works for you.

It seems that the new 7057 uses %windir% now instead of %SystemRoot%. They open the same folder, but the tutorial has been updated anyway.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[skyfly]

excellent post,i was wondering how to change its location to my computer
Im loving the new taskbar ,much better than vista quicklaunch !

hold on, whos Vista

(btw, great to see tutorials for win7, i loved the vista ones you done shawn
there a great hive of knowledge on the internet now)

 

[Brink]

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

Thank you,
Shawn

 

[thenext8seconds]

Grrrrrrrrr

I just did a clean install of 7057 x86, and this is what happens when I put "%windir%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" in the target box

Windows opens up a second taskbar icon and uses it instead of using the regular one. It only does this when I add that command for it to open to My Computer instead of Libraries.

 

[Brink]

Hello Thenext8seconds,

The command should be this below instead for Computer.

%windir%\explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Shawn

 

[thenext8seconds]

Hello Thenext8seconds,

The command should be this below instead for Computer.

%windir%\explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Shawn

still does the exact same thing....

 

[Brink]

As a test, try this below. It will remove and replace your current pinned Windows Explorer taskbar icon.

• Right click on the Windows Explorer icon on the taskbar and click on Unpin this program from the taskbar.
• Open the Start menu.
• Click on All Programs, Accessories, and right click on the Windows Explorer shortcut and click on Properties.
• Change the Target to: %windir%\explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
• Right click on the Windows Explorer shortcut in the Start menu, and click on Pin to Taskbar.

Hopefully it will now only open with the one icon on the taskbar for you now.