How to Start Windows Explorer in a Selected Folder

By default, Microsoft Windows Explorer displays the contents of the My Documents folder when you launch the application. If you store most of your files in a folder other than the My Documents folder, you may find it useful to have Windows Explorer open with the contents of that folder displayed. If you want to see the contents of another folder when you launch Windows Explorer, you must change the default to reflect that folder.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Access the Windows Explorer properties. Right-click your Windows Explorer shortcut, and then click "Properties."

2. Click the "Shortcut" tab. This tab allows you to change several of the default properties of your Windows Explorer application, such as the icon used to represent Windows Explorer and whether the application opens minimized, maximized or in a normal window.

3. Change the value in the "Target" field. Click in the "Target" field and then press the "End" key. Type the path to the folder you would like to use as your new default. For example, type "C:\" if you want C:\ to be the default folder or type "C:\eHow\" to use C:\eHow as your default folder. Click "OK."

4. Double click your shortcut. Windows Explorer launches and displays the contents of the new default folder.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want Windows Explorer to launch in two pane mode, with the folder list on the left and the contents of your default folder on the right, add the "/e" switch between explorer.exe and the default folder you have specified.
• If you have multiple shortcuts, such as one on your desktop and one on the task bar, you may need to change the target folder for each of them.