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Windows 7

Change What Windows Explorer Button on Taskbar Performs

SUMMARY: Clicking the Windows Explorer button on the Windows 7 Taskbar opens the Libraries folder by default. Change this to a drive or folder of your choosing or Computer.

By default, when you click the Windows Explorer button on the Windows 7 Taskbar, the "Libraries" folder appears.

For many people, this may not be too convenient and they would rather have the root folder of the boot drive (usually c:\) opened. Others would rather go one folder up and open "Computer", providing access to all hard drives as well as removable media. To make this change, do the following.


1. Right-click the "Windows Explorer" button on the Taskbar.

2. At the bottom of the Jump List is a link to Windows Explorer. Right-click this link and choose "Properties" from the popup menu.


3. The "Windows Explorer Properties" multi-tabbed dialog box appears. Underneath "Target", enter the following:

To open the C:\ folder:

%windir%\explorer.exe c:\

Note that you can replace c:\ with any other folder on your system.

To open "Computer":

%windir%\explorer.exe /root,::{20d04fe0-3aea-1069-a2d8-08002b30309d}


Configuring the Windows Explorer button on the Windows 7 Taskbar to open the Computer, providing access to all drives and removable media



4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.

Return to the Windows 7 page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >