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  4. Quick Tip: Windows Explorer, best shortcut ever!!!

Quick Tip: Windows Explorer, best shortcut ever!!!

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  • R raddevus

    At work they have Windows Explorer set to automatically traverse to a place that I rarely, if ever, need to access. Why?!? It kind of drove me crazy, because I'd open Windows Explorer then click multiple drives & folders to finally end up in my UserProfile, because 99% of the time I needed to be there to save some data. Life-Changing Shortcut I don't think I'm overstating this. :rolleyes: Anyways, one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time was simply 1. Create a shortcut that opens File Explorer directly into my %UserProfile% directory -- that's c:\users\\ 2. Add the following Target: C:\windows\explorer.exe %userprofile% 3. Add a shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + Right (arrow) to immediately run the shortcut. Here's a snapshot of what the shortcut looks like[^]. Now, any time I want File Explorer I just Ctrl+Shift+Right(arrow) and it opens up. Shortcut Seems Faster Also, I've discovered that for some reason this copy of File Explorer seems to open faster than if you click the one on the TaskBar (Maybe because this one doesn't have to hit the network since it is going directly to a specific path???) I've been using this for months now it has provided many benefits: 1. Less folder clicking 2. Less screaming, "Why am I automatically navigated to this @#&%@#!!! network folder!!" 3. I used to be bald and all my hair grew back. 4. Previously I was 5'2" and now I'm 6'4" tall 5. A bag of money fell out of the sky and landed next to me. 6. Various other benefits which are too good to mention here. :rolleyes:

    M Offline
    M Offline
    Mircea Neacsu
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    Have you tried Win + R, . ? In other words just type "." in the Windows run dialog. It is one key longer than your shortcut but there is no setup involved.

    Mircea

    R 2 Replies Last reply
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    • M Mircea Neacsu

      Have you tried Win + R, . ? In other words just type "." in the Windows run dialog. It is one key longer than your shortcut but there is no setup involved.

      Mircea

      R Offline
      R Offline
      raddevus
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      That is very interesting and I just tried it. However, that takes me to the preset location that the network admins force on us that we rarely use. Actually, it does take us to %UserProfile% but it is the network one instead of the local drive one. That's very interesting. This may be related to the way the the admins set up SpecialFolders. Thanks for the tip. :thumbsup:

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      • R raddevus

        That is very interesting and I just tried it. However, that takes me to the preset location that the network admins force on us that we rarely use. Actually, it does take us to %UserProfile% but it is the network one instead of the local drive one. That's very interesting. This may be related to the way the the admins set up SpecialFolders. Thanks for the tip. :thumbsup:

        M Offline
        M Offline
        Mircea Neacsu
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        raddevus wrote:

        related to the way the the admins set up SpecialFolders

        That's why I never let any admin touch my machine. Needless to say, there has never been any love lost between me and admins. Luckily, I was the one writing the good code so they kind of needed me ;P

        Mircea

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • M Mircea Neacsu

          Have you tried Win + R, . ? In other words just type "." in the Windows run dialog. It is one key longer than your shortcut but there is no setup involved.

          Mircea

          R Offline
          R Offline
          raddevus
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          I just discovered that the path is named %HomeShare% That's basically like %MyDocuments% but we don't use MyDocuments for whatever reason. The point is that %HomeShare% takes me off box to the network share by default and my shortcut helps me to get to the actual local C:\users\ directory. very interesting.

          1 Reply Last reply
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          • R raddevus

            At work they have Windows Explorer set to automatically traverse to a place that I rarely, if ever, need to access. Why?!? It kind of drove me crazy, because I'd open Windows Explorer then click multiple drives & folders to finally end up in my UserProfile, because 99% of the time I needed to be there to save some data. Life-Changing Shortcut I don't think I'm overstating this. :rolleyes: Anyways, one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time was simply 1. Create a shortcut that opens File Explorer directly into my %UserProfile% directory -- that's c:\users\\ 2. Add the following Target: C:\windows\explorer.exe %userprofile% 3. Add a shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + Right (arrow) to immediately run the shortcut. Here's a snapshot of what the shortcut looks like[^]. Now, any time I want File Explorer I just Ctrl+Shift+Right(arrow) and it opens up. Shortcut Seems Faster Also, I've discovered that for some reason this copy of File Explorer seems to open faster than if you click the one on the TaskBar (Maybe because this one doesn't have to hit the network since it is going directly to a specific path???) I've been using this for months now it has provided many benefits: 1. Less folder clicking 2. Less screaming, "Why am I automatically navigated to this @#&%@#!!! network folder!!" 3. I used to be bald and all my hair grew back. 4. Previously I was 5'2" and now I'm 6'4" tall 5. A bag of money fell out of the sky and landed next to me. 6. Various other benefits which are too good to mention here. :rolleyes:

            P Offline
            P Offline
            PIEBALDconsult
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            In my Quick Launch I have a shortcut to "This PC", which I prefer, I can get where I want from there. Also a shortcut to open a browser to "about:blank" because I never want to see the corporate website. Ever.

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            • P PIEBALDconsult

              In my Quick Launch I have a shortcut to "This PC", which I prefer, I can get where I want from there. Also a shortcut to open a browser to "about:blank" because I never want to see the corporate website. Ever.

              R Offline
              R Offline
              raddevus
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              Those are two good ones. :thumbsup: I like using QuickLaunch for quick access to commonly used apps too. :thumbsup: It's a nice feature that I don't think a lot of people know about.

              P 1 Reply Last reply
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              • R raddevus

                Those are two good ones. :thumbsup: I like using QuickLaunch for quick access to commonly used apps too. :thumbsup: It's a nice feature that I don't think a lot of people know about.

                P Offline
                P Offline
                PIEBALDconsult
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                I think when Win 7 (or 10?) came out, people were saying that the Quick Launch was completely gone, but it isn't. I also have shortcuts for starting Word and Excel empty -- no open document.

                P S 2 Replies Last reply
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                • R raddevus

                  At work they have Windows Explorer set to automatically traverse to a place that I rarely, if ever, need to access. Why?!? It kind of drove me crazy, because I'd open Windows Explorer then click multiple drives & folders to finally end up in my UserProfile, because 99% of the time I needed to be there to save some data. Life-Changing Shortcut I don't think I'm overstating this. :rolleyes: Anyways, one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time was simply 1. Create a shortcut that opens File Explorer directly into my %UserProfile% directory -- that's c:\users\\ 2. Add the following Target: C:\windows\explorer.exe %userprofile% 3. Add a shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + Right (arrow) to immediately run the shortcut. Here's a snapshot of what the shortcut looks like[^]. Now, any time I want File Explorer I just Ctrl+Shift+Right(arrow) and it opens up. Shortcut Seems Faster Also, I've discovered that for some reason this copy of File Explorer seems to open faster than if you click the one on the TaskBar (Maybe because this one doesn't have to hit the network since it is going directly to a specific path???) I've been using this for months now it has provided many benefits: 1. Less folder clicking 2. Less screaming, "Why am I automatically navigated to this @#&%@#!!! network folder!!" 3. I used to be bald and all my hair grew back. 4. Previously I was 5'2" and now I'm 6'4" tall 5. A bag of money fell out of the sky and landed next to me. 6. Various other benefits which are too good to mention here. :rolleyes:

                  P Offline
                  P Offline
                  Paul Sanders the other one
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  raddevus wrote:

                  I've been using this for months now it has provided many benefits: 1. Less folder clicking 2. Less screaming, "Why am I automatically navigated to this @#&%@#!!! network folder!!" 3. I used to be bald and all my hair grew back. 4. Previously I was 5'2" and now I'm 6'4" tall 5. A bag of money fell out of the sky and landed next to me. 6. Various other benefits which are too good to mention here.

                  Sounds too good to be true 🤣

                  Paul Sanders. If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter - Blaise Pascal. Some of my best work is in the undo buffer.

                  G 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • P PIEBALDconsult

                    I think when Win 7 (or 10?) came out, people were saying that the Quick Launch was completely gone, but it isn't. I also have shortcuts for starting Word and Excel empty -- no open document.

                    P Offline
                    P Offline
                    Peter Kassenaar
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    I believe in Windows 11 Quick Launch is no longer available? If yes, how do I activate/use it? Thanks!

                    P 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • P Paul Sanders the other one

                      raddevus wrote:

                      I've been using this for months now it has provided many benefits: 1. Less folder clicking 2. Less screaming, "Why am I automatically navigated to this @#&%@#!!! network folder!!" 3. I used to be bald and all my hair grew back. 4. Previously I was 5'2" and now I'm 6'4" tall 5. A bag of money fell out of the sky and landed next to me. 6. Various other benefits which are too good to mention here.

                      Sounds too good to be true 🤣

                      Paul Sanders. If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter - Blaise Pascal. Some of my best work is in the undo buffer.

                      G Offline
                      G Offline
                      Gary Wheeler
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      Hush! Let raddevus have their moment.

                      Software Zen: delete this;

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • P Peter Kassenaar

                        I believe in Windows 11 Quick Launch is no longer available? If yes, how do I activate/use it? Thanks!

                        P Offline
                        P Offline
                        PIEBALDconsult
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        I have no Win 11 systems. In Win 10 and earlier, look for C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\ Maybe they've eliminated or changed the [ \Internet Explorer\ ] part?

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • R raddevus

                          At work they have Windows Explorer set to automatically traverse to a place that I rarely, if ever, need to access. Why?!? It kind of drove me crazy, because I'd open Windows Explorer then click multiple drives & folders to finally end up in my UserProfile, because 99% of the time I needed to be there to save some data. Life-Changing Shortcut I don't think I'm overstating this. :rolleyes: Anyways, one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time was simply 1. Create a shortcut that opens File Explorer directly into my %UserProfile% directory -- that's c:\users\\ 2. Add the following Target: C:\windows\explorer.exe %userprofile% 3. Add a shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + Right (arrow) to immediately run the shortcut. Here's a snapshot of what the shortcut looks like[^]. Now, any time I want File Explorer I just Ctrl+Shift+Right(arrow) and it opens up. Shortcut Seems Faster Also, I've discovered that for some reason this copy of File Explorer seems to open faster than if you click the one on the TaskBar (Maybe because this one doesn't have to hit the network since it is going directly to a specific path???) I've been using this for months now it has provided many benefits: 1. Less folder clicking 2. Less screaming, "Why am I automatically navigated to this @#&%@#!!! network folder!!" 3. I used to be bald and all my hair grew back. 4. Previously I was 5'2" and now I'm 6'4" tall 5. A bag of money fell out of the sky and landed next to me. 6. Various other benefits which are too good to mention here. :rolleyes:

                          J Offline
                          J Offline
                          Joe Fallon
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          I have always used this shortcut to open a specific folder:

                          C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\SomeFolder

                          R 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • J Joe Fallon

                            I have always used this shortcut to open a specific folder:

                            C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\SomeFolder

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            raddevus
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            Very interesting. Because of your post, I started searching for the windows explorer command-line options to see what /n and /e meant. Those are very difficult to find. There is no : c:\> explorer /? Only thing I could find was: https://superuser.com/questions/21394/explorer-command-line-switches[^] Do you know of a way to get the available options?

                            E 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • P PIEBALDconsult

                              I think when Win 7 (or 10?) came out, people were saying that the Quick Launch was completely gone, but it isn't. I also have shortcuts for starting Word and Excel empty -- no open document.

                              S Offline
                              S Offline
                              sasadler
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              It's gone on Win 11 unless you use a third party app (ExplorerPatcher). I'd still be on Win 10 without ExplorerPatcher.

                              P 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • S sasadler

                                It's gone on Win 11 unless you use a third party app (ExplorerPatcher). I'd still be on Win 10 without ExplorerPatcher.

                                P Offline
                                P Offline
                                PIEBALDconsult
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                So, what does ExplorerPatcher do? Create the directory?

                                S 1 2 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • R raddevus

                                  At work they have Windows Explorer set to automatically traverse to a place that I rarely, if ever, need to access. Why?!? It kind of drove me crazy, because I'd open Windows Explorer then click multiple drives & folders to finally end up in my UserProfile, because 99% of the time I needed to be there to save some data. Life-Changing Shortcut I don't think I'm overstating this. :rolleyes: Anyways, one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time was simply 1. Create a shortcut that opens File Explorer directly into my %UserProfile% directory -- that's c:\users\\ 2. Add the following Target: C:\windows\explorer.exe %userprofile% 3. Add a shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + Right (arrow) to immediately run the shortcut. Here's a snapshot of what the shortcut looks like[^]. Now, any time I want File Explorer I just Ctrl+Shift+Right(arrow) and it opens up. Shortcut Seems Faster Also, I've discovered that for some reason this copy of File Explorer seems to open faster than if you click the one on the TaskBar (Maybe because this one doesn't have to hit the network since it is going directly to a specific path???) I've been using this for months now it has provided many benefits: 1. Less folder clicking 2. Less screaming, "Why am I automatically navigated to this @#&%@#!!! network folder!!" 3. I used to be bald and all my hair grew back. 4. Previously I was 5'2" and now I'm 6'4" tall 5. A bag of money fell out of the sky and landed next to me. 6. Various other benefits which are too good to mention here. :rolleyes:

                                  S Offline
                                  S Offline
                                  ShawnVN
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  Start / Run / "." [win+R] [Period] [Enter]

                                  R 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • P PIEBALDconsult

                                    So, what does ExplorerPatcher do? Create the directory?

                                    S Offline
                                    S Offline
                                    sasadler
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    It basically gives you the Win 10 taskbar in Win 11. You can then move the taskbar to the top, bottom or the sides. Gives you tool bars so you'll be able to enable Quick Launch, etc. It's basically indistinguishable for the standard Win 10 taskbar. I've been using it for months now and it appears to be working just fine. I also use Open Shell to replace the funky Win 11 start menu.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • S ShawnVN

                                      Start / Run / "." [win+R] [Period] [Enter]

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      raddevus
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #19

                                      Someone else mentioned that. However, if your admins set your (env variable) HOMESHARE then when you do that you will be taken to that network location \\network\username\whatever-Admin-Created\ I wanted it to load directly to:

                                      c:\users\

                                      the local user directory. However, if your admin has set the HOMESHARE, then even when I follow your instructions and use: [win+R][Period][Enter] or [win+R][%userprofile%][Enter] Then it takes me to : \\network\username\whatever-Admin-Created\ Only when I do c:\> explorer %userprofile% does it take me to the local user directory. That's why I was so happy to finally "hack" it.

                                      S 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • R raddevus

                                        Someone else mentioned that. However, if your admins set your (env variable) HOMESHARE then when you do that you will be taken to that network location \\network\username\whatever-Admin-Created\ I wanted it to load directly to:

                                        c:\users\

                                        the local user directory. However, if your admin has set the HOMESHARE, then even when I follow your instructions and use: [win+R][Period][Enter] or [win+R][%userprofile%][Enter] Then it takes me to : \\network\username\whatever-Admin-Created\ Only when I do c:\> explorer %userprofile% does it take me to the local user directory. That's why I was so happy to finally "hack" it.

                                        S Offline
                                        S Offline
                                        ShawnVN
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #20

                                        Good to know, thanks.. It's interesting.. does explorer.exe really use a network share as the current-working-directory? That seems.. scary, to me. Maybe explains why my work laptop hangs, all the dang time.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • R raddevus

                                          Very interesting. Because of your post, I started searching for the windows explorer command-line options to see what /n and /e meant. Those are very difficult to find. There is no : c:\> explorer /? Only thing I could find was: https://superuser.com/questions/21394/explorer-command-line-switches[^] Do you know of a way to get the available options?

                                          E Offline
                                          E Offline
                                          englebart
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #21

                                          notepad.exe explorer.exe or better yet, String Dump feature of sys intern Process Explorer. start digging…

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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