Ask Leo! by Leo A. Notenboom

How can I get Windows Explorer to default to open on a directory of my choosing?

Search First! Then browse: Categories | Full Archive | By Date | Newsletter

Home » Windows » Windows Oddities

Summary: You can create a shortcut to open Windows Explorer on the directory of your choice.

How can I get Windows Explorer to default to open on a directory of my choosing?

•

Create a new shortcut to Windows Explorer and on that shortcut select Properties. The "Target:" field will be something like: "%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe". Simply change that to include the desired directory, like this: "%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe d:\directory". Now that shortcut will open Windows Explorer directly on "d:\directory".

•

Article C1984 - June 4, 2004

Was this article helpful? «Yes» «No»

Helpful? Get new articles weekly by email in my FREE newsletter!

Your Name:
Your Email:


Why Subscribe?

Recent Comments
26 Comments

to open windows explorer on "My Computer", with the C drive highlighted in the right pane, you need:

C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\

Posted by: justme at January 19, 2009 10:36 AM

Thanks Leo. Your Windows XP and Vista tips are invaluable, and self explanatory. Your website is the ONLY web site I use for hints, tips and great ideas. Keep up the good, open source work!

Posted by: Bouaeland at February 20, 2009 10:47 AM

How can i set a Default folder in Windows search?

Posted by: NAV at May 26, 2009 10:38 PM

Hello!!
Windows 7(Vista) opens by default "Libraries folder" when Explorer starts.
PLEASE - How to change it for example to jump to c: instead of "Libraries folder" IN REGISTRY?
I want to use it so:
I will assign keyboard key to start Explorer.exe.
So I can use it in two ways:
1. if Explorer.exe hangs(I will kill it) and click X button to start it.
2. if Explorer.exe running - I will use that X button just to open Folder window.

Why I ask about registry changing? - Because "explorer.exe c:" - not works with p.1. (if explorer not running - it Not opens system Tray) but opens folders(Libraries) window.
and "explorer.exe" open system tray BUT not opens folder c:

Posted by: Alex at August 25, 2009 5:13 PM

Have a look at Bob Cerelli's Explorer Tips ...
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/explorer_tips.htm

Posted by: Harry Audus at January 27, 2010 3:52 AM
See all 26 comments...

Post a comment on "How can I get Windows Explorer to default to open on a directory of my choosing?":






(Email Address will not be published.)

Remember Me?

By popular demand...
my tip jar
Cuppa Joe
Buy Leo a Latte!

(you may use HTML tags for style)

RSS feed Subscribe to the RSS Feed specifically for comments on this article.

Before commenting, please...

  • Read the article at the top of this page. If your comment shows you didn't, it'll be deleted and ignored.

  • Comment only on this article. Use the Google search box at the top of the page if you have a question about something else.

  • Don't include personal information in the comment. No email addresses. No phone numbers. No physical addresses.

  • Don't spam. Excessive links to unrelated sites within a comment or across multiple comments will cause all such comments to be removed.

  • Don't ask me to recover lost passwords or hacked accounts. I can't, and those comments will be deleted.

  • I can't respond to every comment. And I can't vouch for the accuracy of others who do.

Please wait. Your comment is being processed ...




Question? Ask Leo!

http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_get_windows_explorer_to_default_to_open_on_a_directory_of_my_choosing.html

Copyright © 2003-2010 Puget Sound Software, LLC and Leo A. Notenboom
Ask Leo! is a registered trademark ® of Puget Sound Software, LLC
Terms, Conditions & Privacy
Product Reviews, Recommendations and Affiliate Links Disclosure