Windows Explorer Default Opening

Information

This will show you how to set Windows Explorer to open to another location other than the default C:\Users\(your username)\Documents folder location. For more information on this, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB130510

NOTE

This doesn't change the location for Computer in the Start Menu. You could also just create a shortcut from the Windows Explorer EXE location (%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe or C:\Windows\explorer.exe) and use it. Just right click on the exe file and click on Send To and Desktop (create shortcut), then move the shortcut to where you like.

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Default.jpg

NOTE

To restore the default location setting, type %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe in the Target area. (See step 5 below)

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Click on All Programs. (At bottom)
3. Click on the Accessories folder to expand it.
4. Right click Windows Explorer and click Properties.
NOTE: If you do not have this shortcut for Explorer here, then you can create a new shortcut from: C:\Windows\explorer.exe.

5. In Target: area, type %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe [/n,] [options] [folder path] (See screenshots below)

NOTE

See the Example sections below. /n = Opens a new Windows Explorer window. OPTIONS: /root = Has only the selected folder and it's subfolders at the top in the folder tree. /select = Has the folder's parent folder selected in the folder tree.

EXAMPLE A:
To Open to the C:\ Drive

A) You would type %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\ in the Target area. (See screenshots below)

Drive_Target.jpgDrive.jpg

EXAMPLE B:
To Open to the C:\ Drive as the Root in the Folder Tree

B) You would type %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /root, c:\ in the Target area. (See screenshots below)

Root_Drive_Target.jpgRoot_Drive.jpg

EXAMPLE C:
To Open to a Specific Folder (Ex: Downloads Folder)

C) You would type: (See screenshots below)
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /root, c:\ /select, c:\Users\(your username)\Downloads in the Target area.
NOTE: Instead of using the path c:\Users\(your username)\Downloads, you can use the full path of the folder you want to have opened instead after %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /root,.

Folder_Target.jpgFolder_Select.jpg

EXAMPLE D:
To Open the Same as Computer (Start menu)

D) You would type %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\, /select in the Target area. (See screenshots below)

Computer_Target.jpgComputer.jpg

6. Click OK in Properties to apply.

7. To make using the Windows Explorer shortcut easier to use, you might Pin it to the Start Menu.
NOTE: For how, see: How to Pin a Program to the Start Menu in Vista