1 Window in Windows

[Thomaskaa]

Windows has an option to work in one folder, so that a new window doesn't pop up, when you enter a folder. Could I get windows to switch to that folder, and not open a new one, when I click a shotcut? (firefox can be configured this way). The reason, I ask, is that I have my favorites and My Computer in the left side of each window, and it's quick to navigate between folders, so I really only need 1 window. And with 1 window, I can position it anywhere, and It'll always stay there. (It's both WINXP and WIN7, I'm wondering about)

[Thomaskaa]

It's to aviod, ever moving windows around

[bludgard]

Check Explorer options via Organize > Layout.

[Thomaskaa]

Thanks, I know it, but you wouldn't know, how to force windows to have only 1 window? It could be something in regedit, but I don't know

[bludgard]

The OS is called Window(s); multitasking being the point IMO.

To accomplish what one wishes easily: Refrain from opening more than one window.

Cheers

[Thomaskaa]

You're right:), and it's a small thing, which many probably wouldn't use anyway. I just thought, I might be able to configure windows a little like raspbmc, or xbmc, who has only one window. This system is much slower to use for files, than windows. But in windows, you have the navigation pane, and in it, favorites, which makes it easy to navigate between folders. There isn't really any need for me to move around windows, and what I want, is to position the one window somewhere, and then get used to it, appearing the same place every time. No windows popping up, on top of, where I put firefox and other applications. A fixed position for each application. I have a 22" touchscreen with 1920X1080 resolution, and when I use only 1 window, I can fit a gadget with big shortcuts, firefox and VLC player (with playlist) on the screen as well. A way to multitask without using alt+tab and the taskbar, and of course because I have the touchscreen.

[Thomaskaa]

also because, I never drag files from one folder to another, I always use copy and paste

[Thomaskaa]

I've figured something out! And I've managed to turn off explorer. (no desktop, taskbar, start menu, quicklaunch or systray) I found a small gadget for windows. It's simply a floating quick launch. It takes very little resources, and can be launched with windows. It has a small explorer, that pops up, when a shortcut to a folder is pressed. You cannot right click or move the files, only open them (this is great for having friends and others view your files... they can't mess it up!)

http://kinesys.co.nz/launchcontrol.aspx

I'm able to fit firefox on the bottom half of the screen, shortcuts+a small watch on the top right and notepad beside it. On another (not touch-)screen, I have VLC player and a big playlist. I found a way to make a smallbatch file, stopping explorer.exe:

- Create a new text document, and type:
@echo off
taskkill /f /IM explorer.exe
- Rename the document: "Kill Explorer.bat"
- Put a shortcut in startmenu\programs\start (this will end explorer, when windows starts. Press crtl+alt+delete, and open task manager, to run explorer again)

When you can fit everything onto your screens, and you don't use the systray, there's no longer any use for the taskbar, to view open tasks. It can be removed, to save both desktop space and resources. In the floating quick launch, I've put shortcuts to start and stop explorer, and it starts instantly. So it's quick to switch back to normal windows.

[Thomaskaa]

I've found, that it works better, when you wait a little before ending explorer. Before I did the that, my windows 7 seemed to lag for a time, before continuing to load, and sometimes the gadget messes up. This makes it run smoother for me anyway.

To wait a little, just add these lines after @echo off in the batch file:

echo ...PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE AND WAIT FOR 10 SECONDS...WORKING...

PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 10000 >NUL

If you want it to wait longer, just change 10000 to msec.

I also made it launch firefox after 2 more sec.:

cd\
cd Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
FIREFOX.EXE

For some reason, when I add firefox, the command prompt window won't close. Not even with an EXIT command, so you must close it manually...oh well, I added some information, like please don't move anything around, and so on. You can do so with the echo command.

[bludgard]

Maybe there is some method to the madness.

I'll check it out and return with prognosis anon....