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Question

folder view options in Win7 versus Win XP

by Dec 10, 2012 4:41AM PST

I am learning Windows 7 on my new computer, having changed from WinXP Pro on my old one.

I like to have shortcuts to folders placed on my desktop, with shortcuts to related programs placed inside the folder. I am having some problems with respect to managing the view options.

1. I cannot seem to get rid of the navigation pane without it also disappearing in all other folders, e.g. when I look at directories using explorer on "my computer". For these folders pointing to a small group of related programs, that navigation pane is unwanted extra baggage.

2. I would like the icons in these desktop folders to be displayed as small or medium icons. BUT, when I change the view option for them, it seems to apply to other folders in my viewing with explorer.

3. I don't seem to be able set the size and location of these desktop folders. I was able to do that in WinXP.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Answer
Be sure to find prior discussions.
by Former Forum moderator Dec 10, 2012 4:46AM PST
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Answer
try
by Dec 10, 2012 1:39PM PST
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still looking
by dale5351 Dec 10, 2012 4:15PM PST

flashfaint -- that link does not work for me, but the similar one in the message above does work.

proffitt -- I looked at the link, but it did not really help for me. I am already using different folder classes, i.e. document and general. I would intend that all folders classed as document look have detail view & include the navigation pane, and that all folders classed as general have medium icon view *and* not have the navigation pane.

My problem is that some folders are getting the medium icon view even though they are marked as document class. Also, when I open a folder on the desktop that contains shortcuts to programs and is classed as general, I end up looking at that folder in explorer with the navigation bar. If I tell the navigation bar to go away, it goes away for all folders, including the ones classed as document.

From what I have read, it may not be possible to get what I want (i.e. like it was in Win XP Pro), but I'll keep looking.

Thanks for the reply.

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To get what I wanted I used other file/folder viewers.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Dec 11, 2012 12:23AM PST

Explorer is a file/folder viewer APPLICATION and can be replaced.
Bob

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found one
by dale5351 Dec 12, 2012 8:19AM PST

Thanks for the idea. After a good bit of web search, mostly pointing out why nothing would work, I did manage to find a free application that does *almost* everything I want. Below is info on it just in case others might want to try it out. The one thing it does not do for me is to allow me to remove the navigation pane on my desktop folders, but keep the navigation pane in the primary "my computer" folder.

QUOTE:
Purpose and Functions
=====================

ShellFolderFix is an application for Windows 7 that manages shell folder windows,
so that they remember size and position. Future versions may also manage per folder
view modes and layout, but currently it does NOT. There is a slim chance that it also
works on Windows Vista but that is neither tested, intended nor officially supported.


Availability
============

The latest version of ShellFolderFix is first/primarily available from a forum post
on the website, Windows 7 Forums, at:
http://www.sevenforums.com

The direct link to the forum thread is:
http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/40916-shellfolderfix-manage-folder-window-positions-size.html


Cost
====

- You can use any version of ShellFolderFix described in this file without charge.
END QUOTE

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