Vista Tutorial - windows explorer behaviou question

My question is regarding the opening and subsequent view of Windows
Explorer.
I generally open explorer by right click on Start then Explore.
It always opens at the start menu on the explorer tree and I have to close
down the long list of files and get to a view I can go to where I want to
get to.
Is there a way to open it perhaps in a non-expanded hierarchical view ?
Also, how can I get the default view in details view to always align the
columns to 'size all columns to fit' view? I am always forced to right click
on the top and select this view.

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-keevill-