Questions tagged [windows-explorer]
Windows Explorer (renamed to File Explorer in Windows 8) is the file manager that comes with Windows and is not to be confused with Internet Explorer which is Windows' default Web browser.
4,182
questions
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How do I change the default sort order on Windows Explorer and the File Dialogs
My file dialog shows files sorted by date and I want it to sort alphabetically by filename.
25
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3
answers
29k
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Is there a way for Windows 7 to show remaining disk space in the status bar?
This is really driving me nuts. I do a lot of moving media files to and from USB drives, and I am constantly looking to the status bar to see how much remaining space I have on a drive. It's quick, ...
24
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4
answers
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Windows Explorer - Diff two files from the context menu?
Is there any way to diff two selected files from the context menu in Windows Explorer?
24
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2
answers
17k
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Windows 10 ver 1607: File Explorer long paths not working?
I updated to the Windows 10 home anniversary edition version 1607 and set LongPathsEnabled to 1 with regedit.exe but the File Explorer doesn't seem to work with long paths still. If you select a long ...
24
votes
5
answers
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How to restore "Open command prompt" in Windows Explorer's File menu on Creators Update?
I got used to opening Command Line in a folder I have open in Windows Explorer by clicking File → Open command prompt. Recently this menu item has disappeared from my menus and there's only Open ...
24
votes
16
answers
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Why do deleted files still show up in Explorer until I refresh the folder?
Note: I am fully aware that this question is a dupe of Icons of deleted files remain until refreshed. However, that question is over two years old, has few views, has no answers, and doesn't convey ...
23
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2
answers
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Why does pressing enter increase the file size by 2 bytes in windows
I'm using File Explorer to monitor file size in Windows.
I have a .dat file and when I type normal characters like letters the file size increases by 1 byte but when I press enter the file size ...
23
votes
4
answers
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Windows Explorer's file attribute column values [closed]
Is there a good resource for all of the values and definition in Windows Explorer's file attribute column?
23
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6
answers
178k
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Windows: Connect to SFTP server using Windows File Explorer
I require one of my client to connect to a SFTP server using Windows File Explorer.
The Explorer has an option to connect to a FTP server but not a SFTP server. In the Add new network connection ...
23
votes
11
answers
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How do I remove the OneDrive folder from my File Explorer folder tree in Windows 10?
I don't use or want to use OneDrive, but after upgrading to Windows 10 it's been installed automatically and added to the sidebar of every explorer window:
I can't seem to figure out how to get rid ...
23
votes
8
answers
28k
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Set a “default” folder for Windows Explorer pinned taskbar icon in Windows 7?
Using Windows 7.
I have a Windows Explorer icon pinned to my taskbar.
When no Explorer window is open, clicking it takes me to “Libraries”, a folder that I never use. Is there a way to set a default ...
22
votes
6
answers
135k
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How to make shortcut to ftp site open in windows explorer not IE
Running windows7 i have a shortcut to an FTP site. When you make this shortcut and point it to a location like ftp://127.0.0.1/ it automatically defaults to opening in Internet Explorer. This is not ...
22
votes
5
answers
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Get the parent of a folder from search results
So I searched for a folder in my drive. I found the drive and selected "Open in a new Window". And now I want to get to the parent folder of that one.
But now the address bar shows Search Results in ...
22
votes
3
answers
2k
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How to make explorer in Vista remember a folder's view?
For no apparent rhyme or reason Vista will decide to show a folder that was previously in details view to start showing thumbnails. I go to the folder and right-click, Customize, and set it the ...
21
votes
4
answers
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Why do I lose clipboard data after copying a file?
Wondering why I lose clipboard data when copying a file. After selecting a string of text and copying it to the clipboard this copied text data is somehow lost if I select a file and copy it in ...
21
votes
3
answers
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What is the fastest way to select the even files in a Windows folder?
I have a Windows Explorer folder that contains files that are named file0001, file0002 etc. I would like to select and open only the files with an even number in the name.
My approach is the ...
21
votes
4
answers
108k
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How can I generate thumbnail previews for FLV files in Windows 7?
Is there a way to add the ability to show previews of FLV files in Windows Explorer under Windows 7?
21
votes
5
answers
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How to find and open previous versions of a folder programmatically (using PowerShell, WMI, etc)?
I am running Windows 8 Enterprise x64. When I open \\localhost\c$ as a network folder, and then using a context menu open the Properties window of a subfolder (e.g. \\localhost\c$\Deploy as in the ...
21
votes
4
answers
5k
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Escape from Windows 7 "Search Results" path
When I do a search for files on my system with Windows 7 built-in search, it opens a window with search results. If ones of the results is a folder and I open it, I go to a location like ms:query=...
20
votes
4
answers
38k
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Shortcut to User Home Folder
I want to create a short cut to the System Folder version of my home folder. Actually, I want to do this for every user, but lets focus on a single user. I do not want to create a link to C:\users\%...
20
votes
10
answers
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How to delete a user's folder in Windows 8.1?
I have a laptop which is being given to a different employee. I added a new Administrator account and deleted the old one.
I deleted the User from the Windows 8.1 user utility thingy.
So the user is ...
20
votes
8
answers
32k
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Deleting quick access links from disconnected network drive in Explorer
I created a number of quick access links in Windows Explorer on a network drive that is no longer used.
Ever time I accidentally click them, or drag a folder over them (on the way to one of the ...
20
votes
5
answers
47k
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What's the proper name of that symbol to collapse/expand nodes in a directory tree?
I'm pretty embarrassed to admit I don't know this one...I just realized I've always just described it, not actually named it :)
So, that folder/directory collapse/expand symbol thingy, you know, ...
20
votes
9
answers
51k
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Action can't be completed - open in another program
I have two screens with two Explorer windows open. Both are showing different subfolders in the same network path.
I pick a folder on the left window that I'd like to move to the right window, I drag ...
20
votes
5
answers
22k
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Show Files and Folders Sorted by name NOT Folders First then Files [duplicate]
Is there any way to make Windows Explorer list the Files and Folder together and not Folders First?
So Folders and Files are sorted together by file name:
Antelope[dir]
Antelope.txt
Badger[dir]
...
19
votes
2
answers
10k
views
In Windows Explorer, why can we create a folder or file with the percent (%) symbol, if the percent symbol is used for existing variables?
Go to Windows Explorer, and create a folder/directory named %systemdrive%, %windir%, or any other existing variable.
Open a command prompt, and go to the folder you just created.
You can't, because ...
19
votes
3
answers
45k
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Keyboard shortcut for "Invert selection"
Is there a dedicated windows keyboard shortcut for the "Invert Selection" command?
19
votes
4
answers
7k
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Is there a way to set up a default folder for Windows Explorer?
I often use Win + E to pop up Windows Explorer, and then I usually have to navigate down into a few network folders to find my primary directory. Is there a way to set this folder as the default so ...
19
votes
2
answers
12k
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Why are files created by Puttygen hidden in Windows 7 Explorer?
In Windows 7 Home Premium, after saving a private key in PuTTY Key Generator (aka. Puttygen) at the C drive root it is not visible in Explorer.
How to reproduce:
Start Puttygen.
Generate a key.
...
19
votes
2
answers
12k
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Windows explorer sees different file name from cmd
I just got a new computer, and put my old hard drive (which contained Windows) in the new computer to keep my old files. I was successfully able to remove the Windows directory from this drive, but I'...
19
votes
1
answer
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Windows 10 equivalent to 'explorer.exe'
I am an early adopter of Windows 10, and I am a .NET / Web developer so I like to push the bounds a bit when testing out a new OS. I also try to work against the latest / freshest builds available.
...
18
votes
5
answers
70k
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Unable to add files/folders to Quick Access on Windows 10: "Unspecified Error"
I am unable to add files or folders to the "Quick Access" folder in the File Manager on Windows 10. If I drag files or folders there nothing will happen but if I right click and select "Pin to Quick ...
18
votes
4
answers
10k
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When renaming files in windows 7, prevent explorer from instantly resorting the list (and losing your place)
In windows explorer, as soon as you rename a file, the list reorders and your focus stays on the file you edited, which is now in a new place in the list.
file1.jpg -->editing to z.jpg...
file2....
18
votes
4
answers
17k
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Windows 8.1 search charm slow, with explorer.exe CPU usage at 100%
Since upgrading to Windows 8.1 this weekend, the Search feature became pretty useless. When I start typing, it sends my CPU usage to 100% (Task Manager shows Windows Explorer as the main offender), ...
18
votes
4
answers
71k
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How do I replace the system shell (explorer.exe) with another process in Windows 10?
This is for Windows 10.
Is there a way to replace explorer.exe with, for example, a powershell script?
I'm looking to start a custom shell application without having to have explorer.exe run in ...
18
votes
5
answers
10k
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How to make 'copy as path' appear in Windows Explorer context menu without shift key?
If I hold shift when opening the Windows Explorer context menu, an extra item appears, 'copy as path'. How can I make it so it always appears without having to hold shift?
I'm using Windows 10.
18
votes
5
answers
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Replace "Paint" as default program for 'Edit' Explorer command
Default action in Windows 7 for 'Edit' is to open image in Paint. I don't use Paint. I hate Paint. I don't want to see it ever again.
Can I reassign it to, say, Paint.NET? Or if I can't, how can I ...
18
votes
2
answers
17k
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Can I open Explorer at the current path when working in Command Prompt?
Sometimes I run some commands in the Command Prompt (cmd) on Windows, i.e. for compiling. And it would be handy if I could open Explorer at the current path with a command.
If it is possible, how can ...
18
votes
4
answers
33k
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How can I add a program to the context menu of all files?
Similar to the way Notepad++ adds "Edit with Notepad++" to the context menu of all files, or how most Antivirus products will add a global "Scan this file" option, I would like to add a particular ...
18
votes
3
answers
20k
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Reopen recently closed File Explorer window in Windows 10
How can I reopen a recently closed File Explorer window in Windows 10? I sometimes close a File Explorer window by mistake and I want to reopen it, but it is deeply buried in list of folders. It is a ...
18
votes
2
answers
59k
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How to sort by date modified ascending ALWAYS in Windows?
How to force Windows to sort always by date modified and always ascending?
The situation is that often
1) Modified field is Off (not listed in Sort By menu by default)
2) Once opened More menu ...
18
votes
2
answers
399
views
Why do files with longer names have a smaller hitbox on the desktop?
I was waiting for something, and I started doing random stuff with the selector box on the desktop, and I noticed, that some files in the same row get selected sometimes, but some not. I tried a few ...
17
votes
7
answers
86k
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Keyboard shortcut for creating a new folder or file? (Windows)
Does anybody know if there's a keyboard shortcut equivilant to the right click -> New context menu in explorer?
Given that I suspect that there isn't, does anybody know of an explorer extension that ...
17
votes
3
answers
8k
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How can I change tab bar color in ConEmu
How I can change color of tab bar in ConEmu on Windows? I tried find in settings but never found appropriate option.
17
votes
6
answers
67k
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Keystroke to open a new window in Windows 7 Explorer?
I'm a bit late to the Windows 7 party, and having just installed it yesterday, I'm already sorely missing an XP feature. In explorer, I used to be able to click the toolbar Up button with Ctrl held ...
17
votes
7
answers
47k
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Using Windows Explorer, how to find file names starting with a dot (period), in 7 or Vista?
I've got a MacBook laptop in the house, and when Mac OS X copies files over the network, it often brings along hidden "dot-files" with it. For instance, if I copy "SomeUtility.zip", there will also ...
17
votes
7
answers
34k
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Mysterious blank folder keeps showing up on my desktop
I have a folder with no name on my Windows desktop. The name is literally empty:
I'd like to get rid of this. Oh, easy you say? Well here's where things get interesting. First, if I click on it ...
17
votes
3
answers
47k
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Cannot click on anything in Windows 7
I've searched this thoroughly and haven't found any solutions. There are no duplicates that I've found thus far.
I'm running Windows 7, and just today (not following any Windows updates, driver ...
17
votes
1
answer
36k
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What does a blue filename in Windows Explorer mean?
I am viewing a network share where some filenames are in blue instead of black. I am using Windows 7.
This question mentions green filenames, which indicates encrypted file.
What does a blue ...
17
votes
5
answers
10k
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Hotkey to show/hide left-hand `treeview` of Windows Explorer
Currently to toggle the treeview on the left-hand side of Windows Explorer we can use: Organize - Layout - Navigation Pane as below screenshot.
I do this very very often and want to toggle quickly by ...