never use explorer

[matthewvl]

I'm experimenting with different file managers for the first time.  Is there a way to never use explorer.exe . like disable it from starting up and have xplorer2 handle everything for file searching purposes.  also ive tried doing the several methods (registry and folder options)  to make xplorer2 my default but some things like opening up my computer and opening up the c drive still are opened with windows explorer.  i just dont want explorer open as it takes too many resources

[nikos]

as soon as you have windows desktop open, that's it, explorer is running
if you want to eradicate it completely you need an alternative shell like litestep and tons of others. I haven't used any so i wouldn't be able to recommend anything in particular

[matthewvl]

i have tried a shell.  i have used bblean but bblean still uses the windows explorer

[matthewvl]

is there an irc forum i can get help with blackbox or configuring a file manager.  i went into one room but nobody responded

[unitg2]

BBlean note: I am using BBlean right now and I quite like it- full control over hotkeys, task bar almost perfect, snap off and customisable menus and NO explorer.

You have to pick "install" from the BBlean menu, and it becomes your default shell. I choose to have it on a user basis (me only) and not for others such as adminsitrator when installing.

With multi desktops etc etc it seems to be just under 10 megs prettty dam steady. Explorer would run up to 25 megs sometimes. I do explore My Computer with Windows Explorer from time to time, but when I close it, its gone.

BBlean CONS: no desktop icons, or at least not without a plugin. Labourious menu customising from a default I didn't like- I found it easier to steal someone else's and fix it up a bit. And I wish a left click on the clock would bring up Start menu- then it would be perfect.

I believe there are other threads here that would help you removing Explorer as default on folders and use X2. Doesnt bug me tho. Cheers.

[Hector]

Hi mathewvl!

I share your views about M$ explorer  :evil:  (in ANY of its forms!) and have gone the same way as you did. The difference is I opted for GeoShell with excellent results. Certainly commendable, very stable, a supportive community. Does NOT use explorer at all, unless you tell it to (in which case they coexist). Been using it for over two months without mishap. Give it a try and don't hesitate to contact me directly if you need encouragement or advice.

The only thing you will not have is a desktop which, IMHO is quite useless. Most of the time when you need to access a shortcut it's usually buried under a heap of open windows. GeoShell is very configurable, not at all hard to set up to your liking and has a host of useful features. You will find all your programs work flawlessly. Visit www.geoshell.org and download it. It's very light on resources and real fast.

BTW, you can also visit shell-shocked.org for loads of info about alternate shells. Look for an article titled "The GUI Next Door: GeoShell 4.11", author West, it will give you more info than I can supply through this means. Good luck to you! Say goodbye to explorer!  :D

[tacoz]

[quote="Hector"]The only thing you will not have is a desktop which, IMHO is quite useless. [/quote]

This is not entirely true... you still have a desktop however it is just not in the place where you access it normally from, which is the 'desktop place' that you are referring to. The 'desktop' is just a container that under the explorer shell was accessible from two places while under GeoShell it is only accessible from one place.

I use GeoShell and  xplorer² Lite, and while I miss the 'desktop space', the 'desktop place' is still there and I use it extensively... it's the  topmost folder on the tree (or Ctrl+T).