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How do I change which folder/location Windows Explorer opens to when I run it by pressing Windows-E? I'd like for it to open in My Documents instead of at the root of Computer.

I've found references for explorer.exe command line options, but I don't know how to apply those options to Windows-E.

Michael Hampton
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boflynn
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1 Answers1

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It's a change in the Windows registry:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command

change the value to (example):

%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /separate,/e,C:\Program Files

You can use "%HOMEPATH%\My Documents" for your home path ("My documents").

Be careful when you change registry entries!

Here are some other options for explorer.exe:

Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP

/n                Opens a new single-pane window for the default
                  selection. This is usually the root of the drive that
                  Windows is installed on. If the window is already
                  open, a duplicate opens.

/e                Opens Windows Explorer in its default view.

/root, <object>   Opens a window view of the specified object.

/select, <object> Opens a window view with the specified folder, file,
                  or program selected.
splattne
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  • I can't get this to work on Win7. Do you write the string to the Default value, i.e.: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command] "DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" @="%SystemRoot%\\Explorer.exe /separate,/e,C:\\Program Files" I tried this, then rebooted, but no luck. Thanks for any help, Stefan! –  Dec 13 '10 at 19:31
  • I had the same problem and just renamed that entry to DelegateExecute.delete But I set the Default to %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\ This fixed it! – CA Martin Jan 26 '13 at 16:35