Here are some pointers on how to use Windows Explorer, in Microsoft Windows XP Professional from the Command Line.
To have C: open (No folders)
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\
To have My Computer
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n
To have C: open expanded - Examples
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,f:\Limited Documents
To have C: open and My Documents
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents
For it to open to My Documents:
explorer /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents or
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents
To have My Documents open only (No folders)
Explorer /root, c:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents
Explorer /root, c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Kelly's Computer
If you wish to have Explorer open at My Documents on another drive, you would use:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, f:\My Documents
To have another Drive letter assigned to opening: D for example
C:\Windows\Explorer.exe /e, d:\
d:\ can be modified for any folder/sub-folder you like. As in:
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /e,d:\My Stuff
The /e switch tells Windows Explorer to open in the two pane explorer mode and the c:\ tells it to open in folder C:\. If you omit the /e switch, Windows Explorer opens in a single pane view.
References and Other Links:
Original Microsoft Support Newsgroup Post
Command-Line Switches for Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q130/5/10.asp
Command Line Switches Examples for Windows Explorer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#comline
Explorer.exe Command-Line Options for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=314853
Customize the Windows Explorer Views in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=314853
Have Windows Explorer Default to the %SystemRoot% Drive When Started:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=257518
HOW TO: Customize the Windows Explorer Views in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307856