Shorcuts in task bar in Win 7

[John Price]

Hi

I want a shortcut in the taskbar to a particular folder within My
Documents. When I create the shortcut and try to drag it into the
taskbar, it will only let me append it to the Windows Explorer
shortcut. I can just righ-click on that icon and thyen select my
folder, but I want a direct icon in the taskbar, the way I had it
before in XP. Is there a way to do this?

Also, when the folder opens up, is there a way to have just the folder
contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane that shows
Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Many thanks

--

 

[John Price]

Hi

I want a shortcut in the taskbar to a particular folder within My
Documents. When I create the shortcut and try to drag it into the
taskbar, it will only let me append it to the Windows Explorer
shortcut. I can just righ-click on that icon and thyen select my
folder, but I want a direct icon in the taskbar, the way I had it
before in XP. Is there a way to do this?

Also, when the folder opens up, is there a way to have just the folder
contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane that shows
Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Many thanks

Actually I've sorted the first part, discovered through Google how to
create the taskbar shortcuts.

Still can't sort out losing the navigation pane - it is possible to get
rid of it through the organise menu, using the "Layout" option, but
that removes the pane for ALL folders. I just want to get rid of it on
these specic folder views.



--

 

[Char Jackson]

Actually I've sorted the first part, discovered through Google how to
create the taskbar shortcuts.

Still can't sort out losing the navigation pane - it is possible to get
rid of it through the organise menu, using the "Layout" option, but
that removes the pane for ALL folders. I just want to get rid of it on
these specic folder views.

If you do a Google search for "Windows Explorer switches" you land on
a bunch of hits that describe how to customize an Explorer shortcut,
including what you want to do.

Some example hits:

<http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...s/ad7242df-566a-4378-913c-920393f6e674?auth=1>
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130510>
<http://www.mydigitallife.info/comma...cts-or-folders-when-opening-windows-explorer/>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=windows explorer switches>

From the mydigitallife site:
<quote>

Explorer.exe Command Line Syntax

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe [/n][/e][,/root],X,[[/Select],Y]

X specifies the object, and optionally with sub-object Y. /e switch
shows the left Windows Explorer tree view navigation pane together
with the right pane in list view, while /n hides the left navigation
pane. When the /root parameter is present, Explorer.exe will explore
the root object (X) and objects belonging to X. On the other hand,
when the /root switch is not present, Explorer.exe explores the object
X, its children, and other Explorer objects as well. /Select switch
puts the focus on a file or folder.

For example:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
/N,%WinDir%\System32,/Select,%WinDir%\System32\Ping.exe

Command above will explore the \Windows\System32 folder and put the
focus on the ping.exe program.

Tip: Normally, there is no need to specify full path to explorer.exe,
which is stored in the Windows folder, obtainable through the
environment variable WinDir, as the path already been defined in PATH
environment variable, and will be search through accordingly. As such,
Explorer will suffice to run the Windows Explorer shell.

</quote>

From the above, it looks like you want to specify the /n argument to
hide the left navigation pane.

 

[John Price]

folder >> contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane
that shows >> Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Actually I've sorted the first part, discovered through Google how
to create the taskbar shortcuts.

Still can't sort out losing the navigation pane - it is possible to
get rid of it through the organise menu, using the "Layout" option,
but that removes the pane for ALL folders. I just want to get rid
of it on these specic folder views.

If you do a Google search for "Windows Explorer switches" you land on
a bunch of hits that describe how to customize an Explorer shortcut,
including what you want to do.

Some example hits:

<http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performanc
e/windows-7-explorerexe-command-line-switches/ad7242df-566a-4378-913c-
920393f6e674?auth=1> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130510>
<http://www.mydigitallife.info/command-line-switches-to-display-specia
l-objects-or-folders-when-opening-windows-explorer/>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=windows explorer switches>

From the mydigitallife site:
<quote>

Explorer.exe Command Line Syntax

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe [/n][/e][,/root],X,[[/Select],Y]

X specifies the object, and optionally with sub-object Y. /e switch
shows the left Windows Explorer tree view navigation pane together
with the right pane in list view, while /n hides the left navigation
pane. When the /root parameter is present, Explorer.exe will explore
the root object (X) and objects belonging to X. On the other hand,
when the /root switch is not present, Explorer.exe explores the object
X, its children, and other Explorer objects as well. /Select switch
puts the focus on a file or folder.

For example:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
/N,%WinDir%\System32,/Select,%WinDir%\System32\Ping.exe

Command above will explore the \Windows\System32 folder and put the
focus on the ping.exe program.

Tip: Normally, there is no need to specify full path to explorer.exe,
which is stored in the Windows folder, obtainable through the
environment variable WinDir, as the path already been defined in PATH
environment variable, and will be search through accordingly. As such,
Explorer will suffice to run the Windows Explorer shell.

</quote>

From the above, it looks like you want to specify the /n argument to
hide the left navigation pane.

Thanks for that, but still not getting there.

Have tried %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\myfolder

and it still opens with the navigation pane showing.

Some references suggest the n switch doesn't work in Win 7

--

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

John Price wrote:

Hi

I want a shortcut in the taskbar to a particular folder within My
Documents. When I create the shortcut and try to drag it into the
taskbar, it will only let me append it to the Windows Explorer
shortcut. I can just righ-click on that icon and thyen select my
folder, but I want a direct icon in the taskbar, the way I had it
before in XP. Is there a way to do this?

Also, when the folder opens up, is there a way to have just the

folder >> contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane
that shows >> Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Many thanks

Actually I've sorted the first part, discovered through Google how
to create the taskbar shortcuts.

Still can't sort out losing the navigation pane - it is possible to
get rid of it through the organise menu, using the "Layout" option,
but that removes the pane for ALL folders. I just want to get rid
of it on these specic folder views.

If you do a Google search for "Windows Explorer switches" you land on
a bunch of hits that describe how to customize an Explorer shortcut,
including what you want to do.

Some example hits:

<http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performanc
e/windows-7-explorerexe-command-line-switches/ad7242df-566a-4378-913c-
920393f6e674?auth=1> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130510>
<http://www.mydigitallife.info/command-line-switches-to-display-specia
l-objects-or-folders-when-opening-windows-explorer/>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=windows explorer switches>

From the mydigitallife site:
<quote>

Explorer.exe Command Line Syntax

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe [/n][/e][,/root],X,[[/Select],Y]

X specifies the object, and optionally with sub-object Y. /e switch
shows the left Windows Explorer tree view navigation pane together
with the right pane in list view, while /n hides the left navigation
pane. When the /root parameter is present, Explorer.exe will explore
the root object (X) and objects belonging to X. On the other hand,
when the /root switch is not present, Explorer.exe explores the object
X, its children, and other Explorer objects as well. /Select switch
puts the focus on a file or folder.

For example:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
/N,%WinDir%\System32,/Select,%WinDir%\System32\Ping.exe

Command above will explore the \Windows\System32 folder and put the
focus on the ping.exe program.

Tip: Normally, there is no need to specify full path to explorer.exe,
which is stored in the Windows folder, obtainable through the
environment variable WinDir, as the path already been defined in PATH
environment variable, and will be search through accordingly. As such,
Explorer will suffice to run the Windows Explorer shell.

</quote>

From the above, it looks like you want to specify the /n argument to
hide the left navigation pane.

Thanks for that, but still not getting there.

Have tried %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\myfolder

and it still opens with the navigation pane showing.

Some references suggest the n switch doesn't work in Win 7

Yes. I tried the suggested arguments and they failed for me as well, so
I looked at Char's links. The first one classifies /n as "redundant in
Windows 7".

I guess "redundant" is slang for "doesn't work", rather than "isn't
needed"..

 

[Char Jackson]

On Thu, 24 May 2012 08:06:50 -0500, "John Price"

John Price wrote:

Hi

I want a shortcut in the taskbar to a particular folder within My
Documents. When I create the shortcut and try to drag it into the
taskbar, it will only let me append it to the Windows Explorer
shortcut. I can just righ-click on that icon and thyen select my
folder, but I want a direct icon in the taskbar, the way I had it
before in XP. Is there a way to do this?

Also, when the folder opens up, is there a way to have just the
folder >> contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane
that shows >> Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Many thanks

Actually I've sorted the first part, discovered through Google how
to create the taskbar shortcuts.

Still can't sort out losing the navigation pane - it is possible to
get rid of it through the organise menu, using the "Layout" option,
but that removes the pane for ALL folders. I just want to get rid
of it on these specic folder views.

If you do a Google search for "Windows Explorer switches" you land on
a bunch of hits that describe how to customize an Explorer shortcut,
including what you want to do.

Some example hits:

<http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performanc
e/windows-7-explorerexe-command-line-switches/ad7242df-566a-4378-913c-
920393f6e674?auth=1> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130510>
<http://www.mydigitallife.info/command-line-switches-to-display-specia
l-objects-or-folders-when-opening-windows-explorer/>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=windows explorer switches>

From the mydigitallife site:
<quote>

Explorer.exe Command Line Syntax

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe [/n][/e][,/root],X,[[/Select],Y]

X specifies the object, and optionally with sub-object Y. /e switch
shows the left Windows Explorer tree view navigation pane together
with the right pane in list view, while /n hides the left navigation
pane. When the /root parameter is present, Explorer.exe will explore
the root object (X) and objects belonging to X. On the other hand,
when the /root switch is not present, Explorer.exe explores the object
X, its children, and other Explorer objects as well. /Select switch
puts the focus on a file or folder.

For example:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
/N,%WinDir%\System32,/Select,%WinDir%\System32\Ping.exe

Command above will explore the \Windows\System32 folder and put the
focus on the ping.exe program.

Tip: Normally, there is no need to specify full path to explorer.exe,
which is stored in the Windows folder, obtainable through the
environment variable WinDir, as the path already been defined in PATH
environment variable, and will be search through accordingly. As such,
Explorer will suffice to run the Windows Explorer shell.

</quote>

From the above, it looks like you want to specify the /n argument to
hide the left navigation pane.

Thanks for that, but still not getting there.

Have tried %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\myfolder

and it still opens with the navigation pane showing.

Some references suggest the n switch doesn't work in Win 7

Yes. I tried the suggested arguments and they failed for me as well, so
I looked at Char's links. The first one classifies /n as "redundant in
Windows 7".

I guess "redundant" is slang for "doesn't work", rather than "isn't
needed"..

Well, drat and double drat. Mea culpa, I posted what I had been using
in XP for lots of years, and I'm using some of the options to get what
I want in Win 7, but I hadn't actually tried to launch an Explorer
view sans the nav pane. That's what I get for assuming it would work.

Personally, I never want an Explorer view without the nav pane, so
this limitation had never smacked me in the face. Until now...

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Well, drat and double drat. Mea culpa, I posted what I had been using
in XP for lots of years, and I'm using some of the options to get what
I want in Win 7, but I hadn't actually tried to launch an Explorer
view sans the nav pane. That's what I get for assuming it would work.

Personally, I never want an Explorer view without the nav pane, so
this limitation had never smacked me in the face. Until now...

Obviously Microsoft has caught on to you, and is punishing you for your
sins.

And I bet I would have made the same mistake...

 

[...winston]

In Win7, to easiest method to achieve your objective is to add the Quick
Launch
Toolbar
- doing so will provide the ability to do both options (Folder on the QL
toolbar and the ability to configure the shortcuts with command line
switches (i.e. no navigation pane) noted in the links provided by others in
this thread.

--
....winston
msft mvp mail


"John Price" wrote in message

Hi

I want a shortcut in the taskbar to a particular folder within My
Documents. When I create the shortcut and try to drag it into the
taskbar, it will only let me append it to the Windows Explorer
shortcut. I can just righ-click on that icon and thyen select my
folder, but I want a direct icon in the taskbar, the way I had it
before in XP. Is there a way to do this?

Also, when the folder opens up, is there a way to have just the folder
contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane that shows
Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Many thanks

--

 

[KCB]

John Price wrote:

Hi

I want a shortcut in the taskbar to a particular folder within My
Documents. When I create the shortcut and try to drag it into the
taskbar, it will only let me append it to the Windows Explorer
shortcut. I can just righ-click on that icon and thyen select my
folder, but I want a direct icon in the taskbar, the way I had it
before in XP. Is there a way to do this?

Also, when the folder opens up, is there a way to have just the

folder >> contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane
that shows >> Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Many thanks

Actually I've sorted the first part, discovered through Google how
to create the taskbar shortcuts.

Still can't sort out losing the navigation pane - it is possible to
get rid of it through the organise menu, using the "Layout" option,
but that removes the pane for ALL folders. I just want to get rid
of it on these specic folder views.

If you do a Google search for "Windows Explorer switches" you land on
a bunch of hits that describe how to customize an Explorer shortcut,
including what you want to do.

Some example hits:

<http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performanc
e/windows-7-explorerexe-command-line-switches/ad7242df-566a-4378-913c-
920393f6e674?auth=1> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130510>
<http://www.mydigitallife.info/command-line-switches-to-display-specia
l-objects-or-folders-when-opening-windows-explorer/>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=windows explorer switches>

From the mydigitallife site:
<quote>

Explorer.exe Command Line Syntax

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe [/n][/e][,/root],X,[[/Select],Y]

X specifies the object, and optionally with sub-object Y. /e switch
shows the left Windows Explorer tree view navigation pane together
with the right pane in list view, while /n hides the left navigation
pane. When the /root parameter is present, Explorer.exe will explore
the root object (X) and objects belonging to X. On the other hand,
when the /root switch is not present, Explorer.exe explores the object
X, its children, and other Explorer objects as well. /Select switch
puts the focus on a file or folder.

For example:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe
/N,%WinDir%\System32,/Select,%WinDir%\System32\Ping.exe

Command above will explore the \Windows\System32 folder and put the
focus on the ping.exe program.

Tip: Normally, there is no need to specify full path to explorer.exe,
which is stored in the Windows folder, obtainable through the
environment variable WinDir, as the path already been defined in PATH
environment variable, and will be search through accordingly. As such,
Explorer will suffice to run the Windows Explorer shell.

</quote>

From the above, it looks like you want to specify the /n argument to
hide the left navigation pane.

Thanks for that, but still not getting there.

Have tried %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, c:\myfolder

and it still opens with the navigation pane showing.

Some references suggest the n switch doesn't work in Win 7

Maybe this will work for you ( I haven't tried it):
http://www.door2windows.com/windows...me-items-in-windows-explorer-navigation-pane/

 

[John Price]

In Win7, to easiest method to achieve your objective is to add the
Quick Launch
Toolbar
- doing so will provide the ability to do both options (Folder on the
QL toolbar and the ability to configure the shortcuts with command
line switches (i.e. no navigation pane) noted in the links provided
by others in this thread.

Thanks Winston - I found out how to get a shorcut to the folder onto
the taskbar here
http://arcanecode.com/2010/04/29/add-shortcut-to-folder-in-taskbar-in-wi
ndows-7-the-right-way/

This approach also lets you use switches, but it looks as though the /n
switch just doesn't work in Win 7.

--

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

Thanks Winston - I found out how to get a shorcut to the folder onto
the taskbar here
http://arcanecode.com/2010/04/29/add-shortcut-to-folder-in-taskbar-in-wi
ndows-7-the-right-way/
http://arcanecode.com/2010/04/29/add-shortcut-to-folder-in-taskbar-in-windows-7-the-right-way/

This approach also lets you use switches, but it looks as though the
/n switch just doesn't work in Win 7.

I discovered that while trying to come up with a solution for the OP.
Originally, a window without the navigation pane was the default. (I had
discovered the trick of using shortcuts some time ago. It also allows
using a custom icon.)

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

On Thu, 24 May 2012 11:15:00 -0700, "Gene E. Bloch"


Well, drat and double drat. Mea culpa, I posted what I had been using
in XP for lots of years, and I'm using some of the options to get what
I want in Win 7, but I hadn't actually tried to launch an Explorer
view sans the nav pane. That's what I get for assuming it would work.

Personally, I never want an Explorer view without the nav pane, so
this limitation had never smacked me in the face. Until now...

Me neither. (I particularly don't like the nanny left pane option that
is clearly the underlying default, in XP at least - what you get if you
"open" rather than "explore" a folder [which is the only option in some
situations].)

If you drag the mullion fully to the left, does it (I suppose I mean
"the system") remember that next time you open it?

 

[Char Jackson]

If you drag the mullion fully to the left, does it (I suppose I mean
"the system") remember that next time you open it?

I believe Win 7 remembers the size, position, and layout of the last
WE window that you close, but I could be wrong.

That might be the first time someone used the word mullion in this
newsgroup.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I believe Win 7 remembers the size, position, and layout of the last
WE window that you close, but I could be wrong.

That might be the first time someone used the word mullion in this
newsgroup.

Now that it's been introduced, expect to see it in mullions of posts in
the future.

 

[Ken Blake]

I believe Win 7 remembers the size, position, and layout of the last
WE window that you close, but I could be wrong.

That might be the first time someone used the word mullion in this
newsgroup.

No, it's been used a mullion times before! <vbg>

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

I believe Win 7 remembers the size, position, and layout of the last
WE window that you close, but I could be wrong.

That might be the first time someone used the word mullion in this
newsgroup.

I wondered if anyone would comment! I think it's a valid usage, though,
nonne?
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"... four Oscars, and two further nominations ... On these criteria, he's
Britain's most successful film director." Powell or Pressburger? no; Richard
Attenborough? no; Nick Park!

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

On Thu, 24 May 2012 11:15:00 -0700, "Gene E. Bloch"


Well, drat and double drat. Mea culpa, I posted what I had been
using in XP for lots of years, and I'm using some of the options to
get what I want in Win 7, but I hadn't actually tried to launch an
Explorer view sans the nav pane. That's what I get for assuming it
would work.

Personally, I never want an Explorer view without the nav pane, so
this limitation had never smacked me in the face. Until now...

Me neither. (I particularly don't like the nanny left pane option
that is clearly the underlying default, in XP at least - what you get
if you "open" rather than "explore" a folder [which is the only
option in some situations].)

If you drag the mullion fully to the left, does it (I suppose I mean
"the system") remember that next time you open it?

Windows remembers the position, but the mullion cannot be dragged fully
to the left. Neither can the divider.

A narrow navigation pane will always remain.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Hi

I want a shortcut in the taskbar to a particular folder within My
Documents. When I create the shortcut and try to drag it into the
taskbar, it will only let me append it to the Windows Explorer
shortcut. I can just righ-click on that icon and thyen select my
folder, but I want a direct icon in the taskbar, the way I had it
before in XP. Is there a way to do this?

Also, when the folder opens up, is there a way to have just the folder
contents showing within WE, i.e. without the left hand pane that shows
Favourites, Desktop, Computer etc?

Many thanks

After reading the posts in this thread (including my own), I decided on
an experiment.

1. I configured Explorer to open without the navigation pane.

2. I made a shortcut with this command line:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe "c:\Programs (Other)"

2. I mad a second shortcut with this command line:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe "c:\Programs /e, (Other)"

The first shortcut consistently opens Explorer without the navigation
pane and the second one consistently opens Explorer with it.

I haven't figured out a good way to have both shortcuts on the task bar,
however. Right now, the first shortcut is on the taskbar, and the second
resides on the desktop.

 

[Char Jackson]

I wondered if anyone would comment! I think it's a valid usage, though,
nonne?

I don't think it applies to computer software, but you got the point
across.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

After reading the posts in this thread (including my own), I decided
on an experiment.

1. I configured Explorer to open without the navigation pane.

2. I made a shortcut with this command line:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe "c:\Programs (Other)"

2. I mad a second shortcut with this command line:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe "c:\Programs /e, (Other)"

The first shortcut consistently opens Explorer without the navigation
pane and the second one consistently opens Explorer with it.

I haven't figured out a good way to have both shortcuts on the task
bar, however. Right now, the first shortcut is on the taskbar, and
the second resides on the desktop.

I played with your two shortcuts and discovered a problem. While
"Type 1" will open Explorer with a navigation pane, if I then use the
navigation tree to navigate, Explorer opens without the navigation pane
at the new location. That is also true if you go up one level.

I don't have any trouble pinning both shortcuts to the taskbar, but I
don't understand your target "c:\Programs (Other)." The shortcuts open
the My Documents library.