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Set Explorer View as Default for My Computer and Other Folder Windows in Windows XP






When you open My Computer or any other folder in Windows XP, it shows the Common Tasks in left side as default view.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Default_My_Computer_Window.jpg

When you open Windows Explorer, it shows Folder list in left side as default view.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Explorer_View_in_My_Computer_Window.jpg

Many ppl like me find Explorer view more convenient and useful rather than the common tasks pane. So here is a small trick which can be used to set “Explorer” view as default in My Computer and all folder windows. So whenever you’ll open My Computer or any folder, it’ll show Folder list just like Windows Explorer instead of the common tasks in left side.

1. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell

2. In right-side pane, set value of “Default” to explore

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Setting_Explorer_View_from_Registry.jpg

3. That’s it. Now open My Computer or any other folder, it’ll show Folder List in left side pane.

NOTE: To revert back to default view, just delete Default key from right-side pane mentioned in Step 2.



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5 Replies:

  1. Ganesh Bhat said:

    Nice tip Vishal..Keep rocking..:)

  2. Hari Maurya said:

    Nice tip Vishal ! :smile:

  3. Riza said:

    Nice.
    I prefer to not use Explorer but when I accidentaly apply this I know how to fix. ;)
    Thanks, VG.

  4. Gopinath M said:

    Good Tip.

    But as I always use Windows Key + E for accessing my computer, I don’t think its an useful tip to me.

  5. Frank said:

    You guys are great. Thanks


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