Open Explorer Into My Computer Instead Of Libraries

By Stu on September 15, 2009 (17 Comments)

Previously, we’ve covered how to add custom Libraries and assign a icon to them in Windows 7.

People seem to have mixed opinions about the new library feature and in this guide, i’ll show you how to open up Explorer in the ‘Computer’ view instead of opening into ‘Libraries’

Step 1.

Start by unpinning your current instance of Explorer from the taskbar. Do this by right clicking on your taskbar shortcut and selecting Unpin this program from taskbar.

Step 2.

Create a new shortcut on the desktop by right clicking the desktop, and choosing New > Shortcut.

Step 3.

In the location field type %windir%\explorer.exe /e, and click Next.

Step 4.

Type in whatever name you like and hit Finish.

Step 5.

You’ll now have your Explorer shortcut (with relevant icon) on your desktop. Right click the new shortcut and click on Pin to taskbar.

You can delete the shortcut from the desktop. Now, when you click on Explorer on the taskbar, it’ll open your ‘Computer’ instead of your ‘Libraries’.

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Comments

Nicholas J West

Nice. I, personally, like the libraries system, and if I want I use the link in my start menu or desktop, but this can be utilised for other purposes than opening My Computer. I wonder if it would be worth opening my home folder..?
Nicholas J West

Nice. I, personally, like the libraries system, and if I want I use the link in my start menu or desktop, but this can be utilised for other purposes than opening My Computer. I wonder if it would be worth opening my home folder..?
vigge_sWe

There is another way of doing this if I remember correctly, and that was by changing some key in the registry. Well, easy for me, complicated for others xD.

1. Right-click on the explorer icon in the taskbar
2. Right-click on the “Windows Explorer” link
3. Put this in the “Target” field: %SystemRoot%explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
4. Done
vigge_sWe

There is another way of doing this if I remember correctly, and that was by changing some key in the registry. Well, easy for me, complicated for others xD.

1. Right-click on the explorer icon in the taskbar
2. Right-click on the “Windows Explorer” link
3. Put this in the “Target” field: %SystemRoot%explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
4. Done
Nicholas J West

Nice. I, personally, like the libraries system, and if I want I use the link in my start menu or desktop, but this can be utilised for other purposes than opening My Computer. I wonder if it would be worth opening my home folder..?
vigge_sWe

There is another way of doing this if I remember correctly, and that was by changing some key in the registry. Well, easy for me, complicated for others xD.

1. Right-click on the explorer icon in the taskbar
2. Right-click on the “Windows Explorer” link
3. Put this in the “Target” field: %SystemRoot%explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
4. Done
Xenio

Nice…
Xenio

Nice…
Xenio

Nice…
Xenio

Nice…
Xenio

Nice…
Loreto Kintanar

i do but do not like opening up into libraries but it seems a little redundant because its on your left pane. but i figured out a way to keep my pinned and recently visited
right click on the icon. then right click on where it says window explorer and go to properties. then change where it says target to “%windir%explorer.exe /e” from above in the article.

you get to keep your recent, and your pinned.
http://profiles.google.com/kalavere Chris Popely

It doesn’t work, it opens up My Documents.
- Stu
  
  Make sure you have the comma on the end. It’ll open Documents without it.
  %windir%explorer.exe /e,
Gfrank40

It just doesn’t work as described
- Stu
  
  Sure you’re using Windows 7?
Jason

Forgot the comma and got my documents. Thanks for reminding us in comments. Works!

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