| Netlist |
Is anyone aware of a hack to make the ‘File->Open’ dialog window display ‘Details’ by default instead of a simple ‘List’ in WinXP?
/Hugo |
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| simon5 |
Hi Netlist
I just tried with Word
I choose file/open, then put Details instead of List, then open a document
I close Word
Reopen Word
I choose file/open, it remember my settings and all is ok.
Maybe it's your software ? |
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| cliff |
| quote: | Originally posted by Nordic
see attached |
BUT! BUT!
you then have to go to view propereties and tick "make all windows look like this" - or it reverts next time.
This is for XP explorer not word. |
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| Netlist |
Indeed, Word remembers.
Explorer doesn't and going through the hassle each time I open a file is very annoying and time consuming.
Every program that uses the windows explorer 'File->Open interface behaves the same. Setting the view properties doesn't help either.
I was thinking of a registry tweak but until now, I haven't found it.
/Hugo |
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| simon5 |
True, you are right I just tried with Winamp.
Use Linux or MacOS X ? ;)
I guess that's just a windows flaw, or maybe the creator of the program must set himself like Word a key to remember the settings. |
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| I_Forgot |
| quote: | Originally posted by simon5
I guess that's just a windows flaw... |
A flaw? In Windows? Are you nutz? Talk like that will land you in Gitmo!
I_F |
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| richie00boy |
| Ah if it's just Explorer Hugo, if you go to Control Panel and open Folder Options I think you can set the master default there. |
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| Netlist |
I can't use another OS with Audition, as that is the app I use the File->Open dialogue a lot.
Meanwhile, I found that the menu items for the Open window are most likely located in shell32.dll.
With Resource Hacker, I can see the Menuitems for 'List', 'Details'... (Menu, 215, 1043 for those among you that feel like tweaking around a bit)
I'll dig a little deeper to find out who controls shell32.dll, hoping to find how the make the Details the default setting.
P.S. I_Forgot, would you mind scaling down your sig a bit? :)
/Hugo |
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| Netlist |
Richie, thanks but as posted above, it doesn't work.
Keep them comming. :)
/Hugo |
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| andy_c |
Hi Hugo,
The File|Open dialog used in Windows applications is provided by a Windows API function called GetOpenFileName(). The behavior of this function is controlled by data contained in a structure called OPENFILENAME passed to the GetOpenFileName() function as an argument.
The bottom line is that most of the behavior of File|Open must be defined by the developer of the software that uses the function, and not by the system. This is done by filling in the contents of the OPENFILENAME structure before calling GetOpenFileName().
I could be wrong on this, but it appears that the OPENFILENAME structure does not support flags that allow the programmer to directly specify the initial mode of the view menu (details, list, etc.). The only way I can figure out to do this would be with a so-called "hook procedure" that would depend on undocumented features of GetOpenFileName(). So MS is making it very inconvenient for developers to do this - to say the least. This is probably why so few developers make the effort required for this to work. |
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| forr |
Hi Netlist,
For years, an old friend of mine and myself have been looking for a solution to this stupid Windows behaviour. Still not found !
I just checked that some Microsoft Office programs remember the "details" option by default (but neither Notepad nor Wordpad) so a solution exists. Please let us know if you find it. |
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| Netlist |
Andy, most valuable info.
I'll try to wade trough the pages but as you said, if it's in the code, most likely, nothing can be changed.
Forr, glad I'm not alone.
I'm a pretty persistent guy at times so I won't give up for now, unless the above is true.
/Hugo |
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| jb74 |
Do you (who are interested) not get both EXPLORE and OPEN included
on the drop-down menu when you right-click on a folder ?
Choosing EXPLORE gets me the detailed display (in Xp)
(or is that not the question ?) |
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| mpmarino |
Hmm, isn't this function in 'folder options' as below:
maybe I misunderstand the issue.... |
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| poobah |
Beat me to it MP...
. |
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| MJL21193 |
| quote: | Originally posted by mpmarino
Hmm, isn't this function in 'folder options' as below:
maybe I misunderstand the issue.... |
I think he's talking about the same problem I've had where the default view for my pictures folders are "thumbnails" and to select a pic to show here, it doesn't show thumbs, but uses the "list" view.
Nothing I've done has changed this. Aggravating. |
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| mpmarino |
| Ah, I see. I should have read the thread better. I do wonder if it is resolvable - globally at least. |
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| jnb |
| At this stage, it may require the re-writing of a part of the common dialog DLL. |
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| BlueWizard |
Well, the Options/View setting to remember each folder settings does work, but it takes a while for it to catalog all your folders.
Personally, I use V-Com Powerdesk Pro 6 which is far and away above and beyond Windows Explorer. Powerdesk has built-in FTP, built-in file views, it can do horizontal or vertical split windows for viewing more that one drive/folder at once, it has good drag and drop capabilities, good sort feature, it has a excellent FIND feature that is head and shoulders above Windows.
When I'm on a computer that doesn't have Powerdesk, it's like being crippled. I highly recommend it. It's the best money you will ever spend.
There is a standard version that is available for free. I think mostly it just has an 'annoy' screen. Try it, if you like it, buy the Pro version.
PowerDesk Pro
http://www.v-com.com/product/PowerD...CFQIQFQodtz7bPQ
Free PowerDesk Standard
http://www.v-com.com/download/download_free.html
Steve/bluewizard |
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| Netlist |
John is correct and I looked into PowerDesk but did not download it at the moment. Maybe later.
Anyway, I searched high and low, found a little application (Google OpenWide), claiming of doing the job, instead it messed up my OS which I was able to repair after many hours.
These settings are definitely baked in Windows.
When going to the 'My Pictures' folder to open a picture, the default setting is Thumbview instead of List.
As for now, I'll live with the annoyance, just like anyone else, unless some bright mind has another tip. :)
/Hugo |
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| jb74 |
Netlist -
If you try this you should get what you want-
In post 1 the entire string of text in the box that starts with
D:\Documents and Settings\Hugo\ . . .
is called the "path" to that folder
What you need to do is to create a new shortcut (for instance on your desktop)
Into that new blank shortcut, you need to place this entire string -
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /e,"C:\Documents and Settings\Hugo\ . . . (the entire path)
After you have finished creating the new shortcut
(named whatever you want)
then when you click it you should get the detail view of the folder
shown in post 1 |
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| Netlist |
| quote: | Originally posted by jb74
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /e, |
This command line indeed opens a session of explorer, pointing to the file path specified.
However, this is not the problem addressed here.
Try opening a file with, say, Notepad. Select details from the View menu dropdown list. Now, you see the selected details for each file displayed.
Open the file and close Notepad.
Next time you open another file with Notepad, you will need to select Details again if you want to view them.
I would like to have Details displayed by default, instead of List.
Thanks anyway for looking into it.
/Hugo |
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| forr |
Hi Netlist,
| quote: | Originally posted by Netlist
I would like to have Details displayed by default, instead of List.
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Just like most of everyday users of Windows.
This just shows how Micorsoft cares about the needs of its customers.
I get around the difficulty by using a file manager like "FreeCommander". Files are opened by their default application or through the local menu. |
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| BlueWizard |
Well, I will give one last endorsement for PowerDesk Pro. Besides the excellent FIND feature, the best aspect is the file viewer. Select virtually any file of any type and click the view button, and you are viewing the file including movie files. Files can be viewed in native format, ANSI, or HEX. They can be viewed at the side, on the bottom, or in their own window.
Is also has a Folder Sync feature that can be used to make backup folders. It compare one folder to another and any files that are new or have changed are highlighted and can be automatically move in one or both directions.
It also has a Size Manager which analyses the drive and give a bar graph of every folder so you can see which folders have the most files in them. It is of limited use, but handy to have on occasion.
The FTP feature is very handy. Once you are logged into your FTP sight it is treated like any other folder. You can easily copy or move files in either direction.
In addition, it is able to 'zip' and 'unzip' files in most standard compression archive formats.
Again, when I'm on a computer that doesn't have the PowerDesk features, it's like being crippled. I can't live without it. I've never regretted buying it.
Steve/bluewizard |
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| Hompie Dompie |
Netlist, you might want to try OpenWide
It does want you want, but it's a tool that needs to keep running in the background all the time. |
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| Netlist |
Steve, what about the File->Open commands/windows with Powerdesk? Does the program do what I'm looking for in this thread?
Hompie, have a look here:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/show...088#post1413088
I tried every possible setting of OpenWide, it did NOT do what was promissed, instead it messed up my OS.
Thanks anyway.
/Hugo |
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| BlueWizard |
Well, I assume you want either 'List' or 'Details' in the file listing, PowerDesk stays where you set it. If you set it to 'Details' then it is universally Details.
Though you can select 'Large Icons', 'Small Icons', 'List', 'Details', or 'Thumbnails'. I always have mine set to 'Details'. But, if I'm in a folder with a lot of images, I can switch to 'thumbnails' using the 'View' menu.
It is really the file view that makes PowerDesk so invaluable though. When I'm looking for a specific file, or quickly trying to determine the contents of a file, or sorting through images, it can't be beat.
Now perhaps I misunderstood, because Windows Explorer was mentioned in the discussion, I assumed that was the thrust of the discussion.
If you mean the [File][Open] in an application, I'm not sure that can be controlled by a single setting in Windows. Each application probably has it's own [File][Open] dialog box.
I know in MS-Word 2000 there is an option to set the [View] for the [File][Open]. I just opened the [File][Open] dialog box and set [View] to [Details] then closed Word and reopened it. When I reopened it, it was still set to display 'Details'.
So, again, it depends on what application you are using, whether it has a [View] feature in the [File][Open] and whether it is 'sticky'.
I suspect IF there is a way to force [View] to be sticky, you would have to do it for each application you use, not one universal setting for Windows as a whole.
If the Application you are using, and I don't think you specified, has a 'sticky' setting then there shouldn't be a problem, and if it doesn't, I'm not sure there is anything you can do other than contact the software manufacturer and find out if there is a Command Line setting or a Preference File setting that can be changed to set the view/sort type.
Again, this is not related to Windows but to the specific application you are using.
Steve/bluewizard |
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| Netlist |
Thanks for the detailed info, Steve.
/Hugo |
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| jb74 |
I wonder if some other users do this -
By placing Shortcuts to your commonly used applications in the
"SendTo" folder, you can go to a destination using a shortcut
with Explorer.exe, then use the "SendTo" option to open files
with those applications. (Music or photo files for example) |
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| AndrewT |
I recently changed my browser to Firefox.
"Windows key" + E defaults to details as do all my other remembered view settings.
Coincidence, or have I inadvertently stumbled onto some buried setting? |
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| jb74 |
To all -
I d/l MultiEnhancer.zip, the file mentioned in post 16, unzipped and installed it on a machine with the Xp operating system.
It appears that the file>open feature is the default opening view
in those few applications available to try out on that machine - Notepad, Wordpad, Irfanview, Firefox
I tried file>open, changed the view to icon, closed the box and reopened - again the opening default was detail view.
AndrewT - I tried the Windows Key + e (first time ever!) and was
rewarded with a normal explorer screen same as if I had right
clicked on the "My Computer" icon and chosen "explore" |
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| Netlist |
| quote: | Originally posted by jb74
I tried file>open, changed the view to icon, closed the box and reopened - again the opening default was detail view.
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I guess you mean 'List' view?
Windows key + E indeed opens Explorer with the view settings as defined by the standard installation or the user settings.
A nice thing is that the three on the left pane is collapsed.
I have been playing with ProcessExplorer and Regmon to monitor every possible registry activity but could not find a way to solve the problem.
I have to conclude that it is impossible to make the 'Details' view sticky in Common Controls.
In Vista, this problem is fixed.
/Hugo |
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| jb74 |
View options were:
Thumbnails
Tiles
Icons
List
Details
Details is the default view, not List |
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| jb74 |
Correction:
I see now that something went wrong getting post 36 in place
It should read:
It appears that the DETAIL VIEW is the default opening view
in those few applications available to try out on that machine -
Notepad, Wordpad, Irfanview, Firefox |
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| Netlist |
MultiEnhancer seems to be the tool.
Unfortunately, I have the Dutch version of Xp which is not supported.
I will try downloading the English version of comdlg32.dll but I guess Explorer.exe won't be too happy.
/Hugo |
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| jb74 |
Netlist -
Its interesting to experiment.
You said earlier:
In Vista, this problem is fixed.
Maybe Vista has a same named file to look into ?
Some substitutes will work - for instance, Deltree from 98 will
work within Xp (at a Command Prompt) |
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| AndrewT |
| quote: | Originally posted by AndrewT
I recently changed my browser to Firefox.
............. defaults to details |
| quote: | Originally posted by Netlist
I have to conclude that it is impossible to make the 'Details' view sticky in Common Controls. |
Hi Netlist,
I say again, my XP defaults to details every time. |
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| AudioFreak |
| quote: | Originally posted by jb74
Netlist -
Its interesting to experiment.
You said earlier:
In Vista, this problem is fixed.
Maybe Vista has a same named file to look into ?
Some substitutes will work - for instance, Deltree from 98 will
work within Xp (at a Command Prompt) |
The common controls are in windows shared libraries.... Not generally the kind of thing you can move between operating system |
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| Netlist |
Andrew,
I wished Firefox would do the trick here. I'm glad it works for you but it's hard to believe that Firefox would alter comdlg32.dll or replace it with a 'Firefox version'. :)
Looking at what MultiEnhancer does, it appears that only comdlg32.dll is responsible, located in \system32 and in \system32\dllcache.
I agree with Dan, but I'll definitely try to replace the Dutch dll with the English version. Or, if someone knows of a good dll editor, I can diy in the heart of the system file.
/Hugo |
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| jb74 |
AndrewT -
Some who have viewed this thread (myself for one) thought that
the solution wanted was when using explorer (explorer.exe)
To see the real subject problem, right-click on your desktop and create a new text document. (New Text Document.txt)
Open that blank text document, then click on file>open at the top left of that text document window.
A new window opens with the word "OPEN" at its top left -
if your Xp works like mine, the view in that new window will be
in the "List" format. (the default format courtesy of MS)
There is a little box at the top right of that new window where the
format can be changed manually - but only AFTER that window has
been opened each time. |
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| jnb |
| quote: | Originally posted by Netlist
it's hard to believe that Firefox would alter comdlg32.dll or replace it with a 'Firefox version'. :) |
Not sure about Firefox in this instance but replacing system files for added functionality is standard fare in windows. It is also one of windows greatest flaws, and the reason the automatic system file checker came to be. |
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| jnb |
| quote: | Originally posted by AudioFreak
The common controls are in windows shared libraries.... Not generally the kind of thing you can move between operating system |
Who's willing to try? Can anyone get comdlg32.dll and commdlg.dll from vista for an XP user? |
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| jnb |
Tried it and stopped. The files have a Visual C runtime procedure dependency. The dependency tree may go further. I don't have the time right now.
Whoever may try it, get the latest msvcrt.dll and have an alternate method of file system access, as the UI is dependent on the common dialog files and they will take out safe mode. |
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| AndrewT |
Yes,
new text document opens files in list and needs to be changed to details, with Firefox installed. |
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| jb74 |
Netlist -
At the ask-leo site, additional information has been added since
it was first mentioned in post 16
If you haven't done so, you might check back there -
Look for Filebox Extender |
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| Netlist |
Finally, FileBox eXtender did it. (And much more)
I already had most of the comdlg32 file rewritten and replaced, to no avail.
Despite the high memory usage, FileBox seems to be a very versatile piece of software.
Thanks a bunch to everyone.
/Hugo |
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