Is it possible for xplorer2 to be launched when you...

Support for xplorer² free lite version

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Darren
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Post by Darren »

nikos wrote:if you did the registry mambo correctly (you can easily test it: just d-click on any folder on your desktop and it should open with x2) then it is possible that this particular find tool calls explorer directly to open its folders. Try adding another verb like "x2open" and call it from the context menu
I created a shortcut to a folder for testing, but it always opens with Windows Explorer. The registry entry I added looks like this:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Open\Command]
@=""C:\\Program files\\xplorer2_lite\\xplorer2.exe" /1 "%1""
I'm sure the path is correct.
I'm not sure what you mean by Try adding another verb like "x2open" and call it from the context menu. Sorry, I'm on a steep learning curve here :oops:
Thanks very much for your help (and the program!)
Darren
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nikos
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Post by nikos »

if you read this thread further up you'll see that the /1 command line argument should be removed and then it should work!
Darren
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Post by Darren »

nikos wrote:if you read this thread further up you'll see that the /1 command line argument should be removed and then it should work!
I did try that, with no luck.
Maybe there's something strange going on with my computer (XP Pro SP1). I tried following fgagnon's instructions for changing folder actions in this http://forum.zabkat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1745 thread, but found that I couldn't edit any of the Folder actions (all those options were not selectable). Even when I created a new action, XP wouldn't let me delete it or change it.
I did however, manage to create a new action under the Folder 'File Type' and make it the default. And it works perfectly. Even double clicking the 'My Computer' icon on my desktop opens Xplorer2 :D
But here's the strange part. If I right click on any folder even within Windows Explorer, I now have an 'Explore with X2' option. But it's not there when right clicking on a file. Except......... If I do a search using Powerdesk File Finder, I get an explorer type window with a list of all matching files. And any file or folder in that list has the 'Explore with X2' right click option. Selecting this option then opens a new instance of xplorer2 to that location. EXACTLY WHAT IWAS TRYING TO ACHIEVE :lol:
I have no idea why I have that option for files when using File Finder, but not when using Windows Explorer. I'll have to do some more investigating when I get a chance.
I hope all that made sense!
Thanks,
Darren
PS The new action I setup under Folders, when exported from the registry, looks like this:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\Explore_with_X2]
@="Explore with X2"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\Explore_with_X2\command]
@=""C:\\Program Files\\xplorer2_lite\\xplorer2.exe" "%1""
Maybe someone who understands the registry (I'm only just starting to dabble) can make sense of it.
Also, I have two entries under File Types. One called 'File Folders' & the other called 'Folders'. They both seem to interact/interfere with each other and it's confusing the hell out of me.
Gandalf
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Post by Gandalf »

I had the same problem under the OS Windows 2000 Professional and resolved it with this registry-key:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\command]
@="C:\Program Files\zabkat\xplorer2_lite\xplorer2.exe" "%1"
I have deleted the key:

Code: Select all

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec
So instead of using the filetype Directory you should be using the filetype Folder. Looking in my registry I see the first sets of commands in the contextmenu of a folder comes from the filetype Folder and the second and last set of commands comes from the filetype Directory.

Before changing your registry it would be wise to export the open-key to a safe place:

Code: Select all

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open
[/i]
jjheino
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Post by jjheino »

I confirm what Gandalf said:
I did according to the instructions in registry.txt and the result was a new 'open' entry in the context menu that opened xplorer2. The default open instruction still executed Explorer.
So I deleted the entry I had made [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\open] and instead changed the already existing value in [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\command] to point to xplorer2.
And now things seem to be like they should.
nealeh
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Post by nealeh »

I've registered today for the Pro version (especially because of the scrap freature).
I too cannot get xplorer2 to be my default folder viewer (on XP Pro SP1).
I've tried the solution in registry.txt with the open verb (both with and without the /1).
I've tried the suggestions in this thread about using the Folder registry path.
Help! Is there a generic proven solution for XP Pro sp1?
Cheers,
Cheers,
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Neale
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nealeh
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Post by nealeh »

Sorted! I got sidetracked with all the suggestions for editing the registry. What has worked for me is:-
1) Open My Computer
2) From the menus, go Tools> Folder Options
3) Select the File Types tab
4) Select file type 'FOLDER' and click 'Advanced'
5) Create a new action (e.g open with x2) and browse to the xplorer2 executable.
6) Highlight your new action and click Set Default.

If anyone would like a set of screen dumps to this let me know and I'll stick something up on my web pages.

Cheers,
Cheers,
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Neale
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fgagnon
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Post by fgagnon »

Glad you solved it, nealeh.
& I assume from your posts that you noted the caution in FAQ C1. recommending against setting x2 as the default; so you will understand if things aren't quite as expected with virtual folders.
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nikos
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Post by nikos »

but can you open "my computer" from your desktop now?
nealeh
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Post by nealeh »

[to fgagnon]
"add a new verb for the Directory "file type"" didn't work for me, as was the case in the original poster. However, by using the windows functionality to set xplorer2 as default, the same functionality (see below) can be used to restore it to the inbuilt standard windows 'open'.
And, in the same way I answer nikos question, Control Panel can also be 'properly' opened by a right-click to select the 'open' option.

[to nikos]
When I double click 'My Computer', it will now open in xplorer2. **But** by right-clicking 'My Computer' all contexts are displayed and, picking 'open' uses windows Explorer from which I can then reset the default if need be.

Cheers,
Cheers,
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Neale
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nealeh
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Post by nealeh »

Okay - I think I may now have an answer that satisfies all requirements. In my original solution I had:
4) Select file type 'FOLDER' and click 'Advanced'.

Change this to:
4) Select file type 'FILE FOLDER' and click 'Advanced'.

This then seems to give the best of both worlds. My Computer, Control Panel and other 'virtual folders' now open with Windows Explorer. Opening normal folders (e.g. c:\ , c:\windows etc ....) open in Xplorer2.

I suspect that going this route actually provides the registry keys described, but windows ensures they are valid for it's own version.

Cheers,
Cheers,
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Neale
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Darren
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Post by Darren »

nealeh wrote:Okay - I think I may now have an answer that satisfies all requirements. In my original solution I had:
4) Select file type 'FOLDER' and click 'Advanced'.

Change this to:
4) Select file type 'FILE FOLDER' and click 'Advanced'.

This then seems to give the best of both worlds. My Computer, Control Panel and other 'virtual folders' now open with Windows Explorer. Opening normal folders (e.g. c:\ , c:\windows etc ....) open in Xplorer2.

I suspect that going this route actually provides the registry keys described, but windows ensures they are valid for it's own version.

Cheers,
Well after disappearing from this thread for a while I tried your suggestion. (Was waiting till after a reformat as my last experiments made Windows Explorer a bit unstable. It was inclined to crash a bit)
Anyway, I tried your suggestion above and it worked like a treat. Except, and here's the bit that's driving me nuts, it doesn't work on all folders (At least on XP S1).
So what happens is this. I open Windows Explorer and double click on folder 'A'. Xplorer2 opens up to that folder as it should. However if I double click on folder 'B' xplorer2 simply opens to it's last state? Can anyone else duplicate this? For example my Windows folder and all it's sub folders work correctly. But my Program Files folder and all of it's sub folders refuse to. AHHHH!!!
And I can't for the life of me see any difference in the folders. I've tried experimenting with attributes and nothing seems to make a differnece.
HELP!

EDIT: Well after a bit more experimenting I still get the same results. The odd thing is that any folder I right click on shows my 'Open with xplorer2' entry as the default, yet it doesn't always work. Anyone with any ideas?
nealeh
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Post by nealeh »

Yes I discovered the same problem but neglected to post a followup. The registry key created using the solution I suggested was:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\applications\XPLORE~1.EXE\shell\open\command.

The default key for this needs to be (for my filesystem):

C:\PROGRA~1\zabkat\xplorer2\XPLORE~1.EXE /F:1 "%1"

The last part "%1" I had to add manually.
Cheers,
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Neale
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nikos
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Post by nikos »

i can't see how /F:1 helps unless you want scrap windows!
(of course in the lite version you won't see a difference since this switch isn't supported)
nealeh
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Post by nealeh »

As I recall the /F:1 was put there by windows. I only added the "%1". Having since upgraded from Lite to Pro I've not noticed any change. What ought the switch do ?
Cheers,
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Neale
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children