Set your frequently used Programs as Default in windows explorer using Command Line Switches
You have noticed that whenever you click on Windows Explore icons, it displays or opens contents of a specific folder such as My Documents in Widows XP, Documents in Vista, and Libraries in Windows 7.
Windows Explorer launches these programs because they are set as default to open whenever Windows Explorer launches. Now what if you do not prefer Libraries folder to be opened when you click on Windows open? In order to resolve this problem, users can use CLSID to set their personalized folders as default in Windows explorer.
Windows Explorer is the Windows Shell program which works on the base of command-line switches (CLSID). Once Windows Explorer accepts and authenticates these commands, it allows it to execute specific program. As such, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2008, Windows NT 4, and Windows 2000 accepts command line parameters or switches to execute windows explorer program.
Note: There are few programs that can be directly accessed from Start menu. It means user can directly get access to Computer, Control Panel, Documents, and Pictures etc folders by navigating to start menu. Therefore, set those programs as default in Windows Explorer icon which cannot directly get accessed.
The CLSID is a particular object that used in making changes in settings of Windows Explorer in order set default programs according to user preferences. Once you set your program default then you will be able to get direct access to them by clicking on Windows Explorer shortcut.
Instructions of CLSID to make changes in order to set your program as default in Windows Explorer
My Computer
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /E,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
My Documents
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
Recycle Bin
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
Network Neighborhood
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
Default Web Browser or Navigator (IE, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome)
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}
Computer Search Results Folder
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{1F4DE370-D627-11D1-BA4F-00A0C91EEDBA}
Network Search Results Folder
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{E17D4FC0-5564-11D1-83F2-00A0C90DC849}
Web Folders
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{BDEADF00-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}
Control Panel
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
Printers and Faxes
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
Scanners and Cameras
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{E211B736-43FD-11D1-9EFB-0000F8757FCD}
Fonts
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524152}
Network Connections or My Network Place
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}
Administrative Tools
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}
Tasks Scheduler
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}\::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
You can also specify any folder or directory for Windows Explorer in order to show when it launched, by following the same trick to modify and set as default folder in Windows Explorer.
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Explorer.exe Command Line Syntax
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe [/n][/e][,/root],X,[[/Select],Y]
Here in this syntax X refers the object and Y sub-object. Here /e switch displays tree view navigation pane of Windows Explorer but display only right pane because /n hides let pane navigation pane. Explorer.exe will explore only root object X and other belongings to X object when / root parameter is available. On the contrary if / root parameter is not available then it will explore X object, its children, with other explorer objects. This sign / choose switch which will be focused on any folder or file.
For example:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,%WinDir%\System32,/Select,%WinDir%\System32\Ping.exe
The above command is to explore \Windows\System32 folder incorporated focus on Ping.exe program.
Tip: Usually, Windows Explorer does not demand full path which is already stored in computer memory however it is good if you mentioned full path. Windows explorer will automatically get accessed to folders that are stored in computer through WinDir.
These points and instructions are the tutorial for users to understand clearly the entire mechanism of Windows Explorer as well as be able to change it according your preferences that make your working on computer faster and easier. Be reminded you create right syntax in order to apply correct settings to get access your program instantly by opening windows Explorer.