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How to change Windows Explorer default view to My Computer

Mon, 2011-08-15 00:49

If you have upgraded to Windows 7 from previous versions of Windows, you may have noticed a subtle difference when you open an explorer window – you see Libraries instead of drive locations. This was a subtle enough change that I didn’t really notice it for quite some time, I just knew that every time I opened explorer, I was looking at a completely useless view of folders.

So, I set out to find a way around this and Microsoft has kindly documented the procedure. For your convenience, I have shared the steps I followed below.

To change the default view to my computer when opening windows explorer, follow these steps:

  1. Right click on the windows explorer icon and click on properties (to find the windows explorer icon, you can go to Start > All Programs > Accessories)
  2. Change the text in the target box to the following: 
 %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Now when you open explorer, you should be looking at a familiar view of drives rather than nearly useless library folders.

Alternatively, a shorter version as pointed out in the comments works just as well and it's easier! Try using this variation:

 %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe ""

Reference: support.microsoft.com/kb/221878

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Comments

Hmm, thanks for the tip. It

Anonymous - 2011-08-15 06:41

Hmm, thanks for the tip. It seems to work when using shorcut +e key. And opens fine when I go to accesories, win explorer.

However, when I right click on the start icon, and open windows explorer it opens the libraries..

Adam's picture

Nice catch! I get the same

Adam - 2011-08-15 07:32

Nice catch! I get the same result as your tests. Not quite sure how to fix it other than training yourself to use the ways that work.

taskbar

Anonymous - 2011-08-17 08:47

If you have a explorer icon your taskbar you must also change the target box to the following:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

otherwise it will open the libraries when you click on the icon.

Nice Tip!

simpler way that works

Guttormur - 2011-09-08 04:37

hi

you could also just do


%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe ""

i at least get the same results :)

I, in fact, got even better

Anonymous - 2012-12-10 13:14

I, in fact, got even better results.

The first method results in a second (or even third) window being opened when I clicked on an item in the initial window.

Your method avoids this. And is easy to remember!



Dr. Radut | blog