Open Windows Explorer to a specific folder

I know this is not a new question, but I've been unable to find the
answer to my very specific request, as follows:

When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I
would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing. Every
one of the many solutions I've found on the Web either:

1) have you create a shortcut and click on it, or
2) have you modify the properties of the
Start/Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer shortcut which already exists.

Either one of those I can do. That's not what I want. What I want to do
is right-click on Start, select Explore, left click and Windows Explorer
opens to a folder of my choosing.
If this is not possible, please let me know so that I'll stop looking. :-)

Thanks in advance,
Carl

Carl used his keyboard to write :
> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I would
> like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing.

I'm not sure how to change the Explore-item itself, but you can add
another entry to the menu - put the text between the dashed lines below
into a .reg file and execute:

-------------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder]
@="Explore F:"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder\co mmand]
@="explorer.exe /e,f:\\"

-------------------------------------------

--
/klaus

In message <OOYCmJnJKHA.1376@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl>, Klaus Jorgensen
<kj@address.invalid> writes:
>Carl used his keyboard to write :
>> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click,
>>I would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing.
>
>I'm not sure how to change the Explore-item itself, but you can add
>another entry to the menu - put the text between the dashed lines below
>into a .reg file and execute:
>
>-------------------------------------------
>Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>
>[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder]
>@="Explore F:"
>
>[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder\co mmand]
>@="explorer.exe /e,f:\\"
>
>-------------------------------------------
>
Ingenious! And useful to know. (I'm assuming this _does_ add to the
right-click-on-Start menu which the OP asked about.)

Others may also have forgotten that Windows-key-plus-E opens Explorer at
the root, rather than the awkward place (C:\Docs ...\me\Start Menu) that
right-click explore does open. (Why there was chosen has always baffled
me. No, actually, I can see it's just a special case of the right-click
explore option available anywhere - but I've always found it an
un-useful place to start, so generally explore from Win-E.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

All's well that ends.

"Klaus Jorgensen" wrote:

> Carl used his keyboard to write :
> > When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I would
> > like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing.
>
> I'm not sure how to change the Explore-item itself, but you can add
> another entry to the menu - put the text between the dashed lines below
> into a .reg file and execute:
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder]
> @="Explore F:"
>
> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder\co mmand]
> @="explorer.exe /e,f:\\"
>
> -------------------------------------------
>
> --
> /klaus
>
> Please be more specific. Where do I enter the folder name I want to be the new default in your text string?

Is there another solution?
>

After serious thinking mystified wrote :
> "Klaus Jorgensen" wrote:
>> Carl used his keyboard to write :
>>> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I
>>> would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing.
>>
>> I'm not sure how to change the Explore-item itself, but you can add
>> another entry to the menu - put the text between the dashed lines below
>> into a .reg file and execute:
>>
>> -------------------------------------------
>> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>>
>> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder]
>> @="Explore F:"
>>
>> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder\co mmand]
>> @="explorer.exe /e,f:\\"
>>
>> -------------------------------------------
>>
> Please be more specific. Where do I enter the folder name I want to be the
> new default in your text string?

The text in the first quotation marks is what will be displayed in the
start button menu, and the text in the second quotation marks is the
program to be executed when clicking the menu, in this case the Windows
Explorer executable with /e,f:\ as an argument (means; open Windows
Explorer with expanded folder view of drive f:\). Also, a single
backslash in registry keys must be prefixed by another backslash, hence
the double backslash in my example.

--
/klaus

Carl wrote:
>
> I know this is not a new question, but I've been unable to find the
> answer to my very specific request, as follows:
>
> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I
> would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing. Every
> one of the many solutions I've found on the Web either:
>
> 1) have you create a shortcut and click on it, or
> 2) have you modify the properties of the
> Start/Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer shortcut which already exists.
>
> Either one of those I can do. That's not what I want. What I want to do
> is right-click on Start, select Explore, left click and Windows Explorer
> opens to a folder of my choosing.
> If this is not possible, please let me know so that I'll stop looking. :-)
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Carl


How odd. I thought I was the only one who wanted to be able to right
click and open explorer to a certain folder. But, unable to find
a solution, I settled for creating a shortcut on my desktop with the
following properties:

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, d:\downloads

It opens explorer only to the D drive with the downloads folder
opened. All other folders remain closed.

Hope that helps.

"Klaus Jorgensen" wrote:

> After serious thinking mystified wrote :
> > "Klaus Jorgensen" wrote:
> >> Carl used his keyboard to write :
> >>> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I
> >>> would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing.
> >>
> >> I'm not sure how to change the Explore-item itself, but you can add
> >> another entry to the menu - put the text between the dashed lines below
> >> into a .reg file and execute:
> >>
> >> -------------------------------------------
> >> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
> >>
> >> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder]
> >> @="Explore F:"
> >>
> >> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder\co mmand]
> >> @="explorer.exe /e,f:\\"
> >>
> >> -------------------------------------------
> >>
> > Please be more specific. Where do I enter the folder name I want to be the
> > new default in your text string?
>
> The text in the first quotation marks is what will be displayed in the
> start button menu, and the text in the second quotation marks is the
> program to be executed when clicking the menu, in this case the Windows
> Explorer executable with /e,f:\ as an argument (means; open Windows
> Explorer with expanded folder view of drive f:\). Also, a single
> backslash in registry keys must be prefixed by another backslash, hence
> the double backslash in my example.
>
> --
> /klaus

Klaus,
I apologize for my density. I do not know reg edit well.

Can I search for the same string that (I assume) contains XPs default value
"start menu" and replace it with "my documents"?

To use your example above
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explorefolder\co mmand]@="explorer.exe
/e,f:my documents\\"

Thank you -mystified

In message <5295462F-0EF5-4AFD-B5A9-5C1EF209C929@microsoft.com>,
mystified <mystified@discussions.microsoft.com> writes:
[]
>I apologize for my density. I do not know reg edit well.
>
>Can I search for the same string that (I assume) contains XPs default value
>"start menu" and replace it with "my documents"?

I see how you're thinking, but I suspect that isn't actually in the
registry anywhere (at least not for that reason): the fact that it opens
at C:\Documents and Settings\you\Start menu is simply because that's
where you are when you invoke it. The Start button is, really, just that
folder/directory; it just happens to be presented as a button. If, for
example, you go Start, Programs, Games, and _right_-click on Games, and
select Explore, you'll see something similar.
[]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

The man who is denied the opportunity of taking decisions of importance begins
to regard as important the decisions he is allowed to take. -C. Northcote
Parkinson, author and historian (1909-1993)

Carl wrote:
:: I know this is not a new question, but I've been unable to find the
:: answer to my very specific request, as follows:
::
:: When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click,
:: I would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing.
:: Every
:: one of the many solutions I've found on the Web either:
::
:: 1) have you create a shortcut and click on it, or
:: 2) have you modify the properties of the
:: Start/Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer shortcut which already
:: exists.
::
:: Either one of those I can do. That's not what I want. What I want to
:: do
:: is right-click on Start, select Explore, left click and Windows
:: Explorer opens to a folder of my choosing.
:: If this is not possible, please let me know so that I'll stop
:: looking. :-)
::
:: Thanks in advance,
:: Carl


Perhaps something useful here:

HOW TO: Customize the Windows Explorer Views in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307856

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=314853
--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2010 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties
or guarantees and doesn't give any rights.

> "Carl" <nospam@all.thanks> wrote in message
> news:uBN3d3mJKHA.1376@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> I know this is not a new question, but I've been unable to find the answer
> to my very specific request, as follows:
>
> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I
> would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing. Every one
> of the many solutions I've found on the Web either:
>
> 1) have you create a shortcut and click on it, or
> 2) have you modify the properties of the
> Start/Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer shortcut which already exists.
>
> Either one of those I can do. That's not what I want. What I want to do is
> right-click on Start, select Explore, left click and Windows Explorer
> opens to a folder of my choosing.
> If this is not possible, please let me know so that I'll stop looking.
> :-)
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Carl

Hi Carl,

It is not possible. The options on the Start Menu button are for opening the
Start Menu folder itself, either the Start Menu folder under All Users, or
the Start Menu folder under the current user.

(You're welcome. :)
--Richard

On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 07:04:28 -0400, "Richard" <richard@avbtab.org>
wrote:

>> "Carl" <nospam@all.thanks> wrote in message
>> news:uBN3d3mJKHA.1376@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> I know this is not a new question, but I've been unable to find the answer
>> to my very specific request, as follows:
>>
>> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left click, I
>> would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my choosing. Every one
>> of the many solutions I've found on the Web either:
>>
>> 1) have you create a shortcut and click on it, or
>> 2) have you modify the properties of the
>> Start/Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer shortcut which already exists.
>>
>> Either one of those I can do. That's not what I want. What I want to do is
>> right-click on Start, select Explore, left click and Windows Explorer
>> opens to a folder of my choosing.
>> If this is not possible, please let me know so that I'll stop looking.
>> :-)
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Carl


Go to properties for Windows Explorer and make the target say

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, "c:\"

in order to have WE open to c:\.

Modify this to your needs.

I hope this is what you are asking.

Duke

jw@eldorado.com wrote:
> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 07:04:28 -0400, "Richard" <richard@avbtab.org>
> wrote:
>
>>> "Carl" <nospam@all.thanks> wrote in message
>>> news:uBN3d3mJKHA.1376@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> I know this is not a new question, but I've been unable to find the
>>> answer to my very specific request, as follows:
>>>
>>> When I right click on the Start menu, select Explore and left
>>> click, I would like Windows Explorer to open to a folder of my
>>> choosing. Every one of the many solutions I've found on the Web
>>> either:
>>>
>>> 1) have you create a shortcut and click on it, or
>>> 2) have you modify the properties of the
>>> Start/Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer shortcut which already
>>> exists.
>>>
>>> Either one of those I can do. That's not what I want. What I want
>>> to do is right-click on Start, select Explore, left click and
>>> Windows Explorer opens to a folder of my choosing.
>>> If this is not possible, please let me know so that I'll stop
>>> looking. :-)
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Carl
>
>
> Go to properties for Windows Explorer and make the target say
>
> %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, "c:\"
>
> in order to have WE open to c:\.
>
> Modify this to your needs.
>
> I hope this is what you are asking.
>
> Duke

Well, that's the right answer but to an entirely different question!

On Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:18:52 +0100, "Olórin"
<incanus@erkljrjre890aeraekj4na.com> wrote:

>Well, that's the right answer but to an entirely different question!
>

That's what I get for trying to help.
Momma didn't teach me to read very well.
I think you have your answer now.
Sorry about that.

Duke