Get Windows 7 Explorer Pane In Vista

[karan_star]

I am a Vista user. I seen a PC of my friend having Windows 7. I liked its explorer left pane which has new options like Libraries and Recent Places by default.

Is there any way to get like that pane in Vista as well ?

[Namchan]

Yes, there is a way you can do that. Try this steps:-

1. Go to Tools > Folder Options>View > Enable “Show hidden files”.

2. Click “Appy” and go back to “C” drive.

3. Navigate to C:\Users\Username\Links( where C is your Vista drive)

4. Add the shortcuts of the below folders to Links folder

• Favorite
• Desktop
• Recent Places ( This folder will not work actually.Just for the Widnows 7 look)
• Libraries
• Picture
• Downloads
• Music
• Pictures
• My computer
• Your drive
• Your drive

5. Download Windows 7 icon pack and extract the “Icons” folder to Desktop.

6. Browse the folder for the appropriate icon for your shortcuts. Use the above image to get the idea.

7. Right click on each of the shortcut item in the C:\Users\Username\Links folder >Properties>Customize.

8. Browse for the exact icon from the downloaded icon folder.

Remember that, you need to get the space between the folders (between, desktop & Libraries) to get the exact look.

[Steinbach]

To get the space between “My Computer” icon and Pictures follow the below steps:

1. Create a new folder in C:\Users\Username\Links folder.


2. Right click, select rename.


3. Press ~ key.


4. It will create a folder with ~ name.


5. Right click on the folder > Properties>customize> select the blank icon (look above image).

This will give you the exact look of Windows 7 left pane in Vista explorer. I know the procedure is bit time consuming and confusing. If you have any doubt please let me know in the form of comment.

[karan_star]

Thanks for sharing this useful info guys.. I'll try this steps to make my vista pane look like windows7...

Hope it works...