Serious Windows Question Related to File Explorer
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If Microsoft's intent with the new folder structure is that a user does everything under their user directory... (and this has been true for quite some time now (Vista, I believe, after WinXP). ...then why is it that the default behavior of File Explorer is to open the user up to the [This PC] area? why doesn't Windows File Explorer default to the %userprofile% folder? It makes no sense at all!! I actually create folders under %userprofile% (c:\users\>username>) but every time I open File Explorer it opens me up to [This PC] and I have to click down into my user folder. :mad: Yes, there is probably a registry key I can hack to do this, but why not set this to the default? Microsoft is probably working diligently on this and it'll be in Win13 release. They're busy working on a new set of icons so all their dev resoures are unavaiable. EDIT Look you can choose where File Explore opens up to, but only two choices!!! This PC or quick access. Ridiculous!! https://i.stack.imgur.com/M5Kx9.png[^] CRISIS AVERTED Here's what I did: 1. Created a new Shortcut which points to Explorer.exe with command-lin argument of %userprofile% 2. Added shortcut to my quicklaunch bar 3. Added shortcut to desktop 4. Added system-wide hotkey Ctrl-Shift-Alt-F which will open File Explorer and navigate to %userprofile% instantly.
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If Microsoft's intent with the new folder structure is that a user does everything under their user directory... (and this has been true for quite some time now (Vista, I believe, after WinXP). ...then why is it that the default behavior of File Explorer is to open the user up to the [This PC] area? why doesn't Windows File Explorer default to the %userprofile% folder? It makes no sense at all!! I actually create folders under %userprofile% (c:\users\>username>) but every time I open File Explorer it opens me up to [This PC] and I have to click down into my user folder. :mad: Yes, there is probably a registry key I can hack to do this, but why not set this to the default? Microsoft is probably working diligently on this and it'll be in Win13 release. They're busy working on a new set of icons so all their dev resoures are unavaiable. EDIT Look you can choose where File Explore opens up to, but only two choices!!! This PC or quick access. Ridiculous!! https://i.stack.imgur.com/M5Kx9.png[^] CRISIS AVERTED Here's what I did: 1. Created a new Shortcut which points to Explorer.exe with command-lin argument of %userprofile% 2. Added shortcut to my quicklaunch bar 3. Added shortcut to desktop 4. Added system-wide hotkey Ctrl-Shift-Alt-F which will open File Explorer and navigate to %userprofile% instantly.
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If Microsoft's intent with the new folder structure is that a user does everything under their user directory... (and this has been true for quite some time now (Vista, I believe, after WinXP). ...then why is it that the default behavior of File Explorer is to open the user up to the [This PC] area? why doesn't Windows File Explorer default to the %userprofile% folder? It makes no sense at all!! I actually create folders under %userprofile% (c:\users\>username>) but every time I open File Explorer it opens me up to [This PC] and I have to click down into my user folder. :mad: Yes, there is probably a registry key I can hack to do this, but why not set this to the default? Microsoft is probably working diligently on this and it'll be in Win13 release. They're busy working on a new set of icons so all their dev resoures are unavaiable. EDIT Look you can choose where File Explore opens up to, but only two choices!!! This PC or quick access. Ridiculous!! https://i.stack.imgur.com/M5Kx9.png[^] CRISIS AVERTED Here's what I did: 1. Created a new Shortcut which points to Explorer.exe with command-lin argument of %userprofile% 2. Added shortcut to my quicklaunch bar 3. Added shortcut to desktop 4. Added system-wide hotkey Ctrl-Shift-Alt-F which will open File Explorer and navigate to %userprofile% instantly.
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Hmmm? Windows 10 defaults to Quick Access which seems like a good choice. Does it change in Win 11?
I switched to Quick Access but that still isn't correct. The challenge is that the fastest way to get to explorer is: 1. Right-click Start 2. click File Explorer I can create a new shortcut to file Explorer & pass in %userprofile% and that will do it. However, there is no way to alter the Start...File Explorer so it will go to %userprofile% even with QuickAccess, getting to %userprofile% is a few clicks. It's just silly to me. thanks for your idea though.
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Hmmm? Windows 10 defaults to Quick Access which seems like a good choice. Does it change in Win 11?
I solved it but it is a custom solution. CRISIS AVERTED Here's what I did: 1. Created a new Shortcut which points to Explorer.exe with command-lin argument of %userprofile% 2. Added shortcut to my quicklaunch bar 3. Added shortcut to desktop 4. Added system-wide hotkey Ctrl-Shift-Alt-F which will open File Explorer and navigate to %userprofile% instantly.
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If Microsoft's intent with the new folder structure is that a user does everything under their user directory... (and this has been true for quite some time now (Vista, I believe, after WinXP). ...then why is it that the default behavior of File Explorer is to open the user up to the [This PC] area? why doesn't Windows File Explorer default to the %userprofile% folder? It makes no sense at all!! I actually create folders under %userprofile% (c:\users\>username>) but every time I open File Explorer it opens me up to [This PC] and I have to click down into my user folder. :mad: Yes, there is probably a registry key I can hack to do this, but why not set this to the default? Microsoft is probably working diligently on this and it'll be in Win13 release. They're busy working on a new set of icons so all their dev resoures are unavaiable. EDIT Look you can choose where File Explore opens up to, but only two choices!!! This PC or quick access. Ridiculous!! https://i.stack.imgur.com/M5Kx9.png[^] CRISIS AVERTED Here's what I did: 1. Created a new Shortcut which points to Explorer.exe with command-lin argument of %userprofile% 2. Added shortcut to my quicklaunch bar 3. Added shortcut to desktop 4. Added system-wide hotkey Ctrl-Shift-Alt-F which will open File Explorer and navigate to %userprofile% instantly.
FWIW, Win+E on the keyboard opens Explorer to the Quick Access folder, both in Win10 and Win11.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I switched to Quick Access but that still isn't correct. The challenge is that the fastest way to get to explorer is: 1. Right-click Start 2. click File Explorer I can create a new shortcut to file Explorer & pass in %userprofile% and that will do it. However, there is no way to alter the Start...File Explorer so it will go to %userprofile% even with QuickAccess, getting to %userprofile% is a few clicks. It's just silly to me. thanks for your idea though.
Quickest way is just
Win-EWhen (and why) did Windows Explorer revert to being called "File Explorer" (a term I'm seeing increasingly frequently here and elsewhere?) For me, the rot set into Windows when instead of having "File Manager" in Win 3.x, they switched to "Windows Explorer" in Win 95. No longer was the user in charge, "managing" their system, but instead they were an explorer trying to find their way through an undocumented jungle. At that time I'd just started freelancing, providing general Windows system support. With the explosion in the number of files involved, and the complexity, of Windows it's when I decided that one person was never going to be able to keep on top of Windows, and I moved across to application development.Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT
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FWIW, Win+E on the keyboard opens Explorer to the Quick Access folder, both in Win10 and Win11.
Software Zen:
delete this;Thanks for the help. Just FYI [Win]+E actually opens it to the Default value you have set in File Explorer options (can be [This PC] also). Also, quick access doesn't help me a lot because I still need to drill down into the %userprofile% folder. thanks again for discussing this with me. Always appreciate the input. :)
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Quickest way is just
Win-EWhen (and why) did Windows Explorer revert to being called "File Explorer" (a term I'm seeing increasingly frequently here and elsewhere?) For me, the rot set into Windows when instead of having "File Manager" in Win 3.x, they switched to "Windows Explorer" in Win 95. No longer was the user in charge, "managing" their system, but instead they were an explorer trying to find their way through an undocumented jungle. At that time I'd just started freelancing, providing general Windows system support. With the explosion in the number of files involved, and the complexity, of Windows it's when I decided that one person was never going to be able to keep on top of Windows, and I moved across to application development.Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT
I appreciate the help and discussion very much. However, I am curious how the Quick Access gets me any closer to %userprofile%? here's what I see[^] with Default set to QuickAccess & [Win]+E. that's a lot of clicks away from c:\users\<username> (%userprofile%). Thanks again for discussing.
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Quickest way is just
Win-EWhen (and why) did Windows Explorer revert to being called "File Explorer" (a term I'm seeing increasingly frequently here and elsewhere?) For me, the rot set into Windows when instead of having "File Manager" in Win 3.x, they switched to "Windows Explorer" in Win 95. No longer was the user in charge, "managing" their system, but instead they were an explorer trying to find their way through an undocumented jungle. At that time I'd just started freelancing, providing general Windows system support. With the explosion in the number of files involved, and the complexity, of Windows it's when I decided that one person was never going to be able to keep on top of Windows, and I moved across to application development.Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT
I still remember those first few days after updating my home PC from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95. Everything was shiny and new but after perusing the folder structure and system files for a while I said to myself "You just lost control of your PC!" To this day I feel the same way, I've just learned to accept it. :|
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I appreciate the help and discussion very much. However, I am curious how the Quick Access gets me any closer to %userprofile%? here's what I see[^] with Default set to QuickAccess & [Win]+E. that's a lot of clicks away from c:\users\<username> (%userprofile%). Thanks again for discussing.
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Navigate to "c:\users\" (or any folder) in Explorer and then click "Pin to Quick access" (upper left). Then when you [Win]+E you're one click away.
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If Microsoft's intent with the new folder structure is that a user does everything under their user directory... (and this has been true for quite some time now (Vista, I believe, after WinXP). ...then why is it that the default behavior of File Explorer is to open the user up to the [This PC] area? why doesn't Windows File Explorer default to the %userprofile% folder? It makes no sense at all!! I actually create folders under %userprofile% (c:\users\>username>) but every time I open File Explorer it opens me up to [This PC] and I have to click down into my user folder. :mad: Yes, there is probably a registry key I can hack to do this, but why not set this to the default? Microsoft is probably working diligently on this and it'll be in Win13 release. They're busy working on a new set of icons so all their dev resoures are unavaiable. EDIT Look you can choose where File Explore opens up to, but only two choices!!! This PC or quick access. Ridiculous!! https://i.stack.imgur.com/M5Kx9.png[^] CRISIS AVERTED Here's what I did: 1. Created a new Shortcut which points to Explorer.exe with command-lin argument of %userprofile% 2. Added shortcut to my quicklaunch bar 3. Added shortcut to desktop 4. Added system-wide hotkey Ctrl-Shift-Alt-F which will open File Explorer and navigate to %userprofile% instantly.
I think it would make sense to default to %userprofile% as you suggest...if only drive letters were completely abstracted away. If I have a D: drive where I put a crapload of data, then Explorer defaulting to %userprofile% would mean I'd constantly have to backtrack to go back up (users), up again (C: ) and once more (This PC) to then be able to see the other drives.
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Thanks for the help. Just FYI [Win]+E actually opens it to the Default value you have set in File Explorer options (can be [This PC] also). Also, quick access doesn't help me a lot because I still need to drill down into the %userprofile% folder. thanks again for discussing this with me. Always appreciate the input. :)
Add the %userprofile% folder to quick access, easy peasy.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
If Microsoft's intent with the new folder structure is that a user does everything under their user directory... (and this has been true for quite some time now (Vista, I believe, after WinXP). ...then why is it that the default behavior of File Explorer is to open the user up to the [This PC] area? why doesn't Windows File Explorer default to the %userprofile% folder? It makes no sense at all!! I actually create folders under %userprofile% (c:\users\>username>) but every time I open File Explorer it opens me up to [This PC] and I have to click down into my user folder. :mad: Yes, there is probably a registry key I can hack to do this, but why not set this to the default? Microsoft is probably working diligently on this and it'll be in Win13 release. They're busy working on a new set of icons so all their dev resoures are unavaiable. EDIT Look you can choose where File Explore opens up to, but only two choices!!! This PC or quick access. Ridiculous!! https://i.stack.imgur.com/M5Kx9.png[^] CRISIS AVERTED Here's what I did: 1. Created a new Shortcut which points to Explorer.exe with command-lin argument of %userprofile% 2. Added shortcut to my quicklaunch bar 3. Added shortcut to desktop 4. Added system-wide hotkey Ctrl-Shift-Alt-F which will open File Explorer and navigate to %userprofile% instantly.
First, we started putting our stuff in the "My Documents" folder, and all was good. Then, applications started dumping their stuff in the "My Documents" folder. (Of 33 folders in mine, I created 5.) So we started putting stuff in our profile folder, and all was good. Then, other applications started dumping their stuff directly in the profile folder. (30 folders, 1 created by me.) I've given up on the profile folder. It's fine for user-specific app settings, but any files I want to manage have to go somewhere else to avoid being hidden in a deluge of crap created by applications which should know better.
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer
