Windows Explorer (file manager) - How to change the default folder?

wbynum

Senior member
Jul 14, 2005
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Anyone know how to change the default folder that is selected when opening Windows Explorer. Specifically I am running Vista.

All Google searches say to add command line switches to the explorer command, such as "explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\". That works fine if you run explorer through a shortcut but I normally don't. I like to just type "explorer" in the run box. There has to be a registry setting that specifies the default folder. Any ideas?

Thanks.
 

AnonymouseUser

Diamond Member
May 14, 2003
9,943
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Don't know of anything short of editing the registry (if it would even work), but you can just create a keyboard shortcut to do this.

BTW, you can start explorer.exe with the default keyboard shortcut WinKey + E instead of using the run dialog.
 

Rhonda the Sly

Senior member
Nov 22, 2007
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You could also toss a shortcut in the (soon to be extinct) quicklaunch and use Win+1~0 to access it.
 

bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
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Originally posted by: wbynum
Anyone know how to change the default folder that is selected when opening Windows Explorer. Specifically I am running Vista.

All Google searches say to add command line switches to the explorer command, such as "explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\". That works fine if you run explorer through a shortcut but I normally don't. I like to just type "explorer" in the run box. There has to be a registry setting that specifies the default folder. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Instead of typing explorer, you can enter the path you want such as c:\ in the run box