I found this document very useful. What I use most often is to make a shortcut on my system tray with a target of "%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,c:\". That way, it doesn't open to stupid "My Computer" -lee
Parameters are separated by commas. Many combinations are allowed, but only a few examples are given.
Explorer.exe c:\ Open directory as a single pain of icons
Explorer.exe /e,c:\ Explore drive as 2 lists -
directories on left & files on right
Explorer.exe /e,/root,c:\ Explore drive without showing other drives
Explorer.exe /n,/e,/select Opens showing only drives
Explorer.exe /e,/idlist,%I,%L From Folder\..\Explore in the registry
%I - ID number
%L - Long filename
Explorer.exe /e,DriveOrDirectory
Explorer.exe /e,/root,directory,sub-directory
Explorer.exe /e,/root,directory,/select,sub-directory
| /e | List (explorer) view, Show large icons if missing (Open view) |
| /root | Sets the top level folder. |
| /select | Specifies that the directory should be selected without displaying its contents. |
| /s | ???? |
| /n | Do not open the selected directory, no effect on NT |
| /idlist,%I | Expects an ID/handle. May help with cacheing. By itself, opens the desktop as icons. |
| /inproc | Stops display of window (I don't know why this is useful) |
Windows Explorer contains 7 icons. In 95 and NT, the 3rd and 4th are different. Use
I have not found a single reference explaining all the options. Some parameters were found by searching the registry, some are from the sources below, and a few are from browsing the executable.