How to open Explorer.exe at “My Computer” from startup menu (Switches?)

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Hello…

I used to know this but have forgotten how. I have Explorer.exe opened by the startup menu when XP starts. It opens at “My Documents”, but I would prefer that it open at “My computer”. Also needs to start in dual-pane view.

Would someone please help jar my memory? Thanks.

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To change the default startup folder for Windows Explorer:

1.Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then right-click Windows Explorer.
2.On the menu that appears, click Properties.
3.In the Target box, append the “/root” command-line switch to the “%SystemRoot%Explorer.exe” command, using the startup location that you want. For example, if you want Windows Explorer to start at the root of drive C, edit the command to the following:
%SystemRoot%Explorer.exe /root, C:
4.Click OK.

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Thanks…

The target in the box you cited is:

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

It currently opens like this: (I have “collapsed” folders’ text)

Desktop

+ My Documents

+ My Computer

+ My Network Places

So far so good. But rather than at the root of any drive, I want it to open with “My computer” at the top of the list, rather than at “My Documents”.

Thanks

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You can extend this line to navigate to the folder you wish to open: %SystemRoot%Explorer.exe /root, C:

or use the alternative suggestion if it is , in fact, for XP. Unfortunately, I do not have a working config so I don’t remember the actual navigation structure. That is why I stopped at C:

Good luck

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sO FAR I COULD NOT MAKE IT WORK. i THINK I HAVE IT IN AN OLD MAXPC MAGAZINE. I’LL POST IT HERE IF I CAN LOCATE IT.
THANKS!

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P.P.

Perhaps this is the information you are looking for?
34537-Explorer-Shortcuts
HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Try “C:Windowsexplorer.exe ,” (without the quotes). Explorer is expecting something after the “,” and since there’s nothing there, it defaults to opening at “Computer”.

This is from the Geoff Chappell site, which contains this tidbit:

”As an amusement, note that
explorer ,

is a convenient, if undocumented (and possibly unintended), shorthand for opening the Computer object (previously called My Computer). This works because the comma delimits an empty path. When this ends up with the SHELL32 function SHParseDisplayName as an empty pszDisplayName argument, it is interpreted as referring to the Computer object.”

I have this Explorer shortcut pinned to my taskbar, since I use Explorer so much.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Thanks, still no dice. I tried the “comma” trick owith the XP default location [c:windowssyStem32explorer.exe,] No go.

Made a copy of explorer.exe in the root of c: with the comma [c:explorer.exe,] Same deal.

I can place the “commatized” explorer.exe command anywhere and all is fine and after i click OK as the final step there is no sign of trouble. But when I try to launch it, I get path related errors.

I am logged on as administrator.

I will make another commatized copy and get a print scrren snap so I can post the error message(s).

Right after this posting is done, I am going to “yachtzee” the briefcase with the old MaxPC mags stored in it, and look for the hack. I’m almost certain it is a registry edit.

I know this is not a really big deal, but getting the answer bugs me and now I am sworn to the quest.

Thanks again, Rich P.

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Tried it once more with the copy on c [c:explorer.exe,]

Gee Whiz, now it rears its ugly head with a new twist, the dialog box asking what program to open it with, LOL!

Perhaps my desktop and OS are so old they are suffering dementia. Wait, no, they are EXHIBITING dementia. It’s me who is suffering from it.

Hey, uh, …..what was that I said?

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P.P.

Let’s give this one more try:

Code:

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

[*]Click the Select All button on the above.
[*]Press Ctrl+C
[*]Goto the Desktop
[*]Right-Click and select New -> Shortcut
34613-MyComputerSC
[*]Press Ctrl+V
[*]Click Next
[*]Type a name into the box like My Computer
[*]Click Finish.

You should now have a shortcut 34614-MyComputerIcon on your desktop that will take you directly to the My Computer listing you desire.
34615-MyComputerWindow
HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I had to bring my Dell Latitude D800 out of hibernation to jog my memory. I had forgotten that XP needs the “/n” switch.

It’s “C:WindowsExplorer.exe /n ,”

Note that there is a space in front of the “/n” and also a space in front of the “,”. It still works the same; it’s expecting a path statement, but there’s not one, so it defaults to “My Computer”.

34617-My-Comptuer

— edit — I posted this from my D800 booted into XP.

— edit (again) —

If you use “C:Windowsexplorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

you’ll get this:

34618-Computer

The only difference between this one and RG’s is the “/e” switch, which is actually from Windows 2000 Professional, not XP; but it works.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Use the “/e” switch.

If you use “C:Windowsexplorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

you’ll get this:

34618-Computer

The only difference between this one and RG’s is the “/e” switch, which is actually from Windows 2000 Professional, not XP; but it works. [/SIZE][/FONT]

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Thanks to all who helped me out here.

I will no doubt be asking questions in the future, I hope to hear from you again… Regards, Rich P.

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QUOTE:

P.P.

Let’s give this one more try:

BINGO! Well, almost. That (Thanks very much) worked A-OK, except it is in single-pane view. Now what for dual-pane?

Thanks again! Rich P.

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