Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target

Renaldordam · 02 Feb 2011

@Brink : I found that disabling the Libraries function breaks the 'Open Windows Explorer' option when you right click on the Start Menu. By default, when you 'Open Windows Explorer' it takes you to 'Libraries', and I presume now that its been removed, it has no where to go.(Because of a Disable Libraries regeistry file.)

Is there a way to point that command ('Open Windows Explorer') to open 'Computer' or '?:\' instead?

So if you right click on the Start Menu button itself, you'll have two options, one of which is 'Open Windows Explorer'. This normally works fine, and opens Explorer to the 'Libraries' location. But therein lies the problem!

After running the script to disable the Libraries, when you right click on the Start Menu (the orb itself, on the task bar), and select 'Open Windows Explorer', nothing happens. I guess this is because its trying to go to a location that no longer exists. I assume that action is hard coded to go to a specific location (probably a GUID path).

Can you confirm this? Is there a way around this? Can it be pointed to a different location or GUID?

Brink · 02 Feb 2011

Hello Renaldordam, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What script did you use to disable the Libraries? Could you post back a link to it? I'll look at it to see what it may have done.

For now, you could use the tutorial on the first page of this thread to change the default target location of the default Windows Explorer taskbar icon to open to Computer with the path below.

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

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

Renaldordam · 03 Feb 2011

I added the .reg files as a attachment.

I only used the "Only Remove Libraries Icon from Windows 7 Explorer" registry file.

After using that .reg file, you right click on the Start Menu button itself, you'll have two options, one of which is 'Open Windows Explorer'. This normally works fine, and opens Explorer to the 'Libraries' location.

But like I said, this isnt working anymore :)

Brink · 03 Feb 2011

Those REG files you attached are a horrible way to remove Libraries. There's just no need to remove them like that in the registry. Chopping them out like that in the registry can cause all sorts of unknown issues. That is most likely why the "Open Windows Explorer" does not work anymore for you. You might use the "Restore Default Settings" REG file that you attached to hopefully undo the chop job that first REG file did.

Afterwards, if you still wanted to remove Libraries, use the method below instead. It only turns Libraries off to not be displayed instead of chopping them out in the registry. Plus, it's a lot easier to turn Libraries back on if you should want them back later.

Libraries Folder - Add or Remove from Navigation Pane

Renaldordam · 04 Feb 2011

Shawn,

Thanks and I restored everything with the REG file.

I also followed the method you desribed on the last post and that works great also!

But when opening Windows Explorer with a Right Mouse click on START, it still opens the Libraries folder.

You got any solution for this?

Brink · 04 Feb 2011

You're most welcome Renaldordam. I'm happy to hear that you got everything restored and the other method worked for you instead.

Unfortunately the Start Menu context menu location in the registry has remained elusive so far. Hopefully I'll be able to find it one day to be able to include in the REG file. I'll post an update here when this may ever happen though.

sistah · 03 Mar 2011

I used to have %windir%\explorer.exe /n,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} as a target but a few days ago I uninstall a program which I don't remember
and ever since I click on the windows explorer on taskbar and nothing happens.
To be specific, it's just highlighted as normal and a few seconds later it just
un-highlighted like I closed it.

I had this problem again months ago but as far as I remember,
(I guess my memory is like a golfish)
I tried a few times to re-enter the path and it worked.

Now I'm confused..

The only target that it seems to cooperate is the default (Libraries)

Brink · 03 Mar 2011

Hello Sistah, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Have you already tried the alternative target below to see if it will open directly to Computer for you instead?

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder

Hope this helps,
Shawn

sistah · 03 Mar 2011

Brink said:

Hello Sistah, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Have you already tried the alternative target below to see if it will open directly to Computer for you instead?

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thank you for the reply!
Yes I already did,
also I tried the recycle bin,
control panel and my documents.
But still nothing

Brink · 04 Mar 2011

Sistah,

Is the "Start in" field empty?

If you create a new shortcut on your desktop, and use those targets, do they work then? If so, you could pin it to the taskbar, delete the shortcut on the desktop, and use it instead.