Command-line start-up options

[Brig]

Howdy:

The manual seems to be telling me I can't do what I want to do. That is, I'd like to start x2 with 1) certain folder groups, 2) certain column sets, and 3) all folders in list view. I know #1 is possible, but what about #2 and #3?

I want to set up a flavor of x2 for when I work from home and have to connect to my company's network through a VPN. My usual x2 set up has lots of folders in each pane and they're all in details mode with a number of columns. This is prohibitively slow via the VPN--unusable. I'd like to have a fast way of starting x2 with a reduced number of folders, columns, and details. Possible?

Thanks,
Brig

[FrizzleFry]

you might try to do what you are after using alternate layouts and then have separate shortcuts to start x2 using one of those layouts

basically setup your x2 window as you want it, save the layout (Window menu), then use then /S:layoutname command line parameter to start x2 with that layout

[Brig]

Thanks FrizzleFry. I'll have to read up on layouts. I just saved a couple of layouts and tried starting x2 with them, but it didn't work. I did something wrong, no doubt. Reading the manual . . .

[FrizzleFry]

this command should run x2 using the sample layout (adjust path to where you have x2 installed)

C:\tools\xplorer2_ultimate\xplorer2_64.exe /S:sample

you can also open specific folders or folder groups

C:\tools\xplorer2_ultimate\xplorer2_64.exe /S:sample [left/top] [right/bottom]

the layout saves what folders and tabs are open if you save settings either manually or automatically on exit
it wont save different pane styles for different tabs... only the style of the active tabs on each pane are saved...

[Brig]

. . . the layout . . . wont save different pane styles for different tabs... only the style of the active tabs on each pane are saved...

Ah. There's the rub. I want the layout to save everything, particularly the pane styles of all tabs, active and inactive. Nikos, is it possible to create a command line argument that would force all tabs to display a certain way?

[nikos]

no, all the tabs of a layout inherit the "dominant" view style. The only way to enforce exceptions is to save custom folder settings

[Brig]

no, all the tabs of a layout inherit the "dominant" view style. The only way to enforce exceptions is to save custom folder settings

Well, I think that's my question: can I set the dominant' view style from the command line? I don't want to create exceptions. I want x2 to start with all folders/tabs in details view when I'm in the office, and I want it to start with all folders/tabs in list view when I'm home.

[FrizzleFry]

There is no command line option to set the pane style (at least not documented in Quick start) but an alternate layout would take care of that.

Create a layout with a single tab in list mode in both panes, disable save settings on exit, save it. (for example as listmode)
Create folder groups for the folders you want to load at x2 startup.
Create a shortcut to run x2 with that layout and folder groups.

<path to x2> /S:listmode foldergroupl foldergroupr

all folders will open in list mode

Are you using the same folders when you start x2 or are you saving on exit to preserve the folders you were working on?

[Brig]

I do not save settings on exit. I use the same folder groups every time. If I need x2 to start next time with different folders, I will put the folders I need in the appropriate tabs and do "save settings now" or modify the folder groups (if the new folder groups will be needed for a long time).

I've never felt the need to use "layouts" until now, when I want x2 to start with different view modes. But it sounds like x2 only remembers the view mode on exit, that it can't be told what view mode to start with. If this is the case, then my plan for avoiding the crippling sluggishness of network folders on VPN, or for having to change each folder's view style manually, is for nought.

EDIT: I didn't see your full post for some reason. I will try the steps you suggest. They sound very promising. Thanks FrizzleFry!

[Brig]

Success! Thanks, man!

So now I have a shortcut on my desktop that loads x2 with all my folders in both panes in list view. When I start x2 in my normal fashion, from the shortcut pinned to my taskbar, x2 opens up with all my folders in both panes in details view. Precisely what I wanted. Thank you again, FrizzleFry.

Now I just have to test it at home to see if it's really faster over the VPN.

[FrizzleFry]

Glad that did the trick.

I do think a command line option to set the pane/tab style would be useful. It would have made your case simpler to implement and it would help if someone wanted to use save settings on exit to preserve the current folders but wanted to force a new pane style on another run.