Solved Taskbar File Explorer open to C:\ possible?


ZedRM said:
In looking for this very solution I found this thread. I also found the answer! There is a way to do this, but it's not at all obvious.
Open the properties to the shortcut(create one first) and in the "Target" section enter the following;

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,C:

Click Ok and your done! Simple and easy. Wish I had known about this years ago.
I know this is an old thread, but I found it and I'm sure many others have too.
It'll be nice for people in future to have a solution to find!

View attachment 133840


BTW, yes I saw this, but the information wasn't complete. This did help me find the final answer though.
Click to expand...
Also looking for the same. This method and atinfo's method work good, but once the shortcut is created and in the taskbar, it indeed opens the contents of Local Disk C, but it opens an additional File Explorer icon in the taskbar on the far right which becomes the live shortcut to minimize/maximize. I pinned that icon to the taskbar thinking I can remove the first one I just added, but that opens My PC.

Is there any way to not show another icon? This kind of reminds me of trying to put portable application shortcuts in the taskbar, where you get a duplicate icon in the taskbar when launched. Thanks.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
jseeley said:
Is there any way to not show another icon? This kind of reminds me of trying to put portable application shortcuts in the taskbar, where you get a duplicate icon in the taskbar when launched. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Have you tried unpinning the original File Explorer icon? BTW, I use StartAllBAck which allows for more customization of the interface.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8117)HexaCore AMD Ryzen 5 4600G, 4300 MHz (43 x 100Corsair 64GB (16x4)GeForce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8117)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus TUF Gaming A520M-Plus WiFi
CPU
HexaCore AMD Ryzen 5 4600G, 4300 MHz (43 x 100
Motherboard
Asus TUF Gaming A520M-Plus WiFi
Memory
Corsair 64GB (16x4)
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster Z SE
Monitor(s) Displays
ACER 27 Inch
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
3 X Samsung SSD 990 EVO 1TB
PSU
CORSAIR RMx Series RM850x
Case
NZXT H510 - CA-H510B-B1
Cooling
Aer F120mm
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech
Browser
Mozilla Firefox
Antivirus
Malwarebytes
JACKSPRATNYC said:
Have you tried unpinning the original File Explorer icon? BTW, I use StartAllBAck which allows for more customization of the interface.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Yes. I do use StartAllBack with the Windows10 Taskbar and system tray menus. (Hate the Win11 calendar, clock, and busy assembly of notification panels)

Yes. I did remove the original Explorer icon. I don't see anything in StartAllBack to do this.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
multiple options, you can use an autohotkey script compliled to anj exe to do whatever you want. if you want that let me know and i'll upload one.
OR you can just make a shortcut to C: and make a .bat file to open that and pin that to your taskbar... OR you can use windhawk (portable mode is an option) and change the default path for file explorer to launch to via this mod:
1757688844130.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
multiple options, you can use an autohotkey script compliled to anj exe to do whatever you want. if you want that let me know and i'll upload one.
OR you can just make a shortcut to C: and make a .bat file to open that and pin that to your taskbar... OR you can use windhawk (portable mode is an option) and change the default path for file explorer to launch to via this mod:
View attachment 145134
Click to expand...
Thanks. This stuff is over my head. lol. I would use the most transparent method. It's not that big of a deal if I have to see black cmd windows flashing on my screen.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
attached are 3. a .bat, a .ps1 and a .ahk (compiled to an exe)

1) the batch - copy the .ico and the .bat files to C:\ and place the shortcut where ever you want. when launched, a command window will flash briefly and C:\ will be launched.

2) the ps1 - copy the .ico and the .ps1 files to C:\ and place the shortcut where ever you want. when launched, NO command window will flash and C:\ will be launched.

3) the .ahk (exe) - place where ever you want. windows defender may flag it as a threat because its a compiled .exe. your call on whether you want to use it or not. the only code in the ahk script is:
Code: 
run, Explorer.exe C:\
 

Attachments

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Thanks. I Pinned to Taskbar the FileExplorerAHK.exe but when I open the explorer to the contents of Local Disk C, it still opens another Explorer Icon in the taskbar. That was my original question. Greatly appreciated.

EDIT: Same with the PS1. Opens another/second File Explorer Icon in the taskbar which then becomes the live Icon from which I can minimize/hide the window. If I click on the shortcut to the PS1, it just opens another window
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
jseeley said:
Yes. I did remove the original Explorer icon. I don't see anything in StartAllBack to do this.
Click to expand...
I got my File Explorer icon to open to the root drive by right-clicking the desktop & selecting new/shortcut/browse (location of root drive)\next (type name of drive shorcut)\finish. Since you use StartAllBack, Right-click & unlock the taskbar. This allows you to get the 'Toolbars' option back. 1. Click on Toolbars. 2. New Toolbar. 3. Paste the following: %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch. This allows you to customize icons on your new "Quick Launch" toolbar. Right-click on the now showing "Quick Launch" option. Uncheck "Show Text" & "Show Title".
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8117)HexaCore AMD Ryzen 5 4600G, 4300 MHz (43 x 100Corsair 64GB (16x4)GeForce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8117)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus TUF Gaming A520M-Plus WiFi
CPU
HexaCore AMD Ryzen 5 4600G, 4300 MHz (43 x 100
Motherboard
Asus TUF Gaming A520M-Plus WiFi
Memory
Corsair 64GB (16x4)
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster Z SE
Monitor(s) Displays
ACER 27 Inch
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
3 X Samsung SSD 990 EVO 1TB
PSU
CORSAIR RMx Series RM850x
Case
NZXT H510 - CA-H510B-B1
Cooling
Aer F120mm
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech
Browser
Mozilla Firefox
Antivirus
Malwarebytes
only option to bypass that (that i can think of at the moment would be to
1) use windhawk as i mentioned

any custom shortcuts will still show a second FE icon on the taskbar. you can do what @JACKSPRATNYC stated, but that will not change the actual launch point of explorer.exe either.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Thank you. Not a big deal. Really appreciate your time.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
dacrone said:
any custom shortcuts will still show a second FE icon on the taskbar. you can do what @JACKSPRATNYC stated, but that will not change the actual launch point of explorer.exe either.
Click to expand...
Hi Dacrone. I have many shortcuts on my taskbar. The 3 major shortcuts are for: File Explorer. Control Panel. System. I created a custom shortcut icon for File Explorer (Looks like the old windows Explorer icon). which takes me directly to the C:\ root.
 

Attachments

  • - Screenshot 2025-09-12 131130.webp
    - Screenshot 2025-09-12 131130.webp
    1.3 KB · Views: 1

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8117)HexaCore AMD Ryzen 5 4600G, 4300 MHz (43 x 100Corsair 64GB (16x4)GeForce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8117)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus TUF Gaming A520M-Plus WiFi
CPU
HexaCore AMD Ryzen 5 4600G, 4300 MHz (43 x 100
Motherboard
Asus TUF Gaming A520M-Plus WiFi
Memory
Corsair 64GB (16x4)
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster Z SE
Monitor(s) Displays
ACER 27 Inch
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
3 X Samsung SSD 990 EVO 1TB
PSU
CORSAIR RMx Series RM850x
Case
NZXT H510 - CA-H510B-B1
Cooling
Aer F120mm
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech
Browser
Mozilla Firefox
Antivirus
Malwarebytes
yes, i'm tracking. but launch explorer.exe in any manner and it will not be your custom path. it will still launch to whatever is set in folder options.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
jseeley said:
Thank you. Not a big deal. Really appreciate your time.
Click to expand...
heres a quick ahk exe that will run in the tray. it will intercept all new instances of file explorer and redirect to C:. new tabs can still launch to whatever, but clicking the default explorer.exe or running Win+E hotkey will launch to C:\
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
heres a quick ahk exe that will run in the tray. it will intercept all new instances of file explorer and redirect to C:. new tabs can still launch to whatever, but clicking the default explorer.exe or running Win+E hotkey will launch to C:\
Click to expand...
Thanks so much. I tried this. It's nice experimenting, but the way it is now with an additional WE icons showing isn't that big of a deal. If I had more drives or partitions, I would just open it to My PC, but now I only have Local Disk C, so what good is opening windows explorer to My PC when there's only one drive in there. If I insert USB drives or use externals, I just access them from the navigation pane.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
? it doesnt open another icon. it doesnt pin to your taskbar at all. it just runs in the system tray by your clock. when you launch file explorer it intercepts it and redirects it to C:\

... just place the .exe in "Shell:startup" and it'll run at logon
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
? it doesnt open another icon. it doesnt pin to your taskbar at all. it just runs in the system tray by your clock. when you launch file explorer it intercepts it and redirects it to C:\

... just place the .exe in "Shell:startup" and it'll run at logon
Click to expand...
Yes. That's what I did. But, I didn't use it correctly. NOW it works fine. It works with the REGULAR Windows Explorer taskbar icon. I was trying it with the special shortcut with Explorer C:\ which did not work and continually brought up the 2nd icon. Thanks. This works great!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
I'm loving this .exe. Is there a reason I got this: Got a few times. I don't know when it pops up because I find it behind the explorer. Thanks!
Capture.webp
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
here is a more well written revision. use this one. it ONLY intercepts fresh instances of Explorer that are launched to the starting folder. so if you launch File Explorer via Win+E or launching explorer.exe, it will redirect to C:
if you open a direct folder (such as right clicking something and "open file location" or a custom folder on you desktop) it will not redirect to C: (will not intercept)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
here is a more well written revision. use this one. it ONLY intercepts fresh instances of Explorer that are launched to the starting folder. so if you launch File Explorer via Win+E or launching explorer.exe, it will redirect to C:
if you open a direct folder (such as right clicking something and "open file location" or a custom folder on you desktop) it will not redirect to C: (will not intercept)
Click to expand...
OK. Thanks again. I'll give it a try.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555i7-1270032 GB DDR5RTX 3060
OS
Win11Pro - 22H2-2621.1555
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo Legion T5 26IAB7
CPU
i7-12700
Memory
32 GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3060
jseeley said:
OK. Thanks again. I'll give it a try.
Click to expand...
got on a kick now lol. heres a more updated on. runs in tray. right click on tray icon and you can choose desired launch point for File Explorer. i'll add an option to change new tabs soon too.
 

Attachments

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

How to have Windows search find something with file explorer open at This PC
Replies
0
Views
300
dalchina
D
Windows 11 File Explorer opens with user folder expanded in navigation pane. How to collapse by default?
Replies
5
Views
3K
wiganken
wiganken
File Explorer Opens when I Physically Open my Laptop, But Only if I Need to Enter Lock Screen Password
Replies
4
Views
782
dacrone
dacrone
Is it possible for Windows 11 File Explorer to not close in on itself?
Replies
11
Views
6K
nocruoro
nocruoro

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom