XP Windows Explorer Tips, Tricks and Tweaks

Rename Multiple Files
It is possible to rename multiple file all at once. In Windows Explorer, select the files that you wish to rename by holding down the CTRL key and single clicking each file. Once they are all highlighted, right click the first file and select "Rename" from the resulting menu. Once you have entered the new name into the text box, single click outside of the text box and all of the other files will follow suit.
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Choose Hibernate from Shutdown Dialog
If you would like to Hibernate your computer instead of selecting the default "Standby" setting. You will first need to be sure that Hibernation is enabled in your Power Options. Here's how:
Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Power Options>> Hibernate tab>> Place a checkmark next to "Enable hibernation".
Once Hibernation is enabled, go to the shutdown dialog (Start>> Turn Off Computer) and hold down the Shift key. Standby will now turn in to Hibernate. Release the Shift key and it changes back to Standby.
The differences between the two options are:
Standby
Standby mode is a power control option created to save energy for laptop computing. When in Standby mode, your computer is put into a power conservation mode. It will shut down the monitor and hard disk while keeping track of the files that you currently have open. This is a great method for taking a break from your computer because the computer wakes up very quickly from Standby mode. Standby mode is not designed for long term use. Leaving your computer in Standby mode overnight is probably pushing your laptop batteries limits.
Hibernate
Hibernation mode is also a power control option designed for much longer shutdown periods without actually shutting down the system completely. When you select the Hibernate option, an image of your current work is stored in a special file on your hard drive and then the computer is almost completely shut down. When you wake your computer back up, it will take less time than a normal Shut Down would, but much longer than from the Standby option because the computer will go through the actual boot sequence. The benefit of hibernation mode versus actually shutting down is that you can hibernate while in the middle of a work project without saving the work. I'm not a big fan of using the Hibernate option, but it is there in the event you need to shut down for a long period in a big hurry.
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Command a change when dragging files
When you are dragging files in Windows Explorer, you can quickly make a copy of the file, force a move or create a shortcut by using keyboard commands. Here's how:Click and hold the click on any chosen file. When you start to drag the file press the:
Control key to force a Copy
Shift key to force a Move
Alt key to force a Create Shortcut
While holding the key down, release the mouse click to complete the operation.
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File names in thumbnail view
In Windows Explorer, if you would like to view your image files in thumbnail view without having the file names listed, just hold down the Shift key then go to View and select Thumbnail. If you change your mind and want the file names listed, then simply repeat the procedure.
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Add Details to the 'Arrange icons by' Menu
When in Windows Explorer, you can arrange the icons in many different ways. To see a list of the additional options available in this list, go to View>> Choose Details... from here you can place a checkmark in any of the unchecked options to make your selection available. Once your selection is made, click OK to save the change and exit the window. Now, when you go to View>> Arrange Icons By, your selection will now appear in this menu.
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Create a Folders Thumbnail Image
In Windows Explorer, if you were to create an image and name it; Folder.jpg, Windows will use this image as the thumbnail for that folder. Also, it will be used as the album art in Windows Media Player for all of the media files in that folder.
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View more in Windows Explorer
The default settings in Windows Explorer keeps certain information about files and folders from being seen. I am sure that it is designed this way because most people do not need to see this information. If there are those of you that would like to view all of the information about your files and folders when in Windows Explorer, I can show you how with only a few quick tweaks. Here's how:
Open Windows Explorer>> View>> Status BarThis will show details at the bottom of the window.
Open Windows Explorer>> View>> DetailsThis will show the details of your files and folders in the right pane.
Open Windows Explorer>> Tools>> Folders Options>> ViewUnder the Advanced settings category, check all of the "Display" entries to display everything that Windows Explorer has to offer. There are a couple of "Hide" options listed that you can uncheck also. To apply these changes, click the "Apply to All Folders" button.
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Customize Windows Explorer's Default Folder
Windows default setting for opening Windows Explorer is "My Documents". If you would like to customize Windows Explorer and make it open your root directory by default, here's how:1. Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories>> Windows Explorer2. Right click the Windows Explorer icon3. Click the Shortcut tab4. Replace the text in the "Target" box with:%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,5. Apply the change and then click OKWindows will now open Windows Explorer at your root directory by default.Bonus Tip:You can customize Windows Explorer to open with any folder you would like. For instance, let's say I would like Windows Explorer to open with "My Pictures" because I am working with that folder most often. Simple, just follow the above instructions and replace the "Target" box text with:%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures
Apply the change, then click OK.Windows Explorer will now open with your My Pictures folder by default.Note: Where "C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures" is my actual path for my "My Pictures" folder, yours may be different. To find out your actual path for My Pictures, simply right click the My Pictures folder and select Properties. Look at the "Location:" field for the exact location (see fig. 1).
(Fig. 1)
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Open Windows Explorer from a Command Prompt
If you would like to open Windows Explorer from a Command Prompt, here's how:Go to Start>> Run. Type in: explorer [Enter] or click OK.There are a number of different switches that you can use to perform different functions in Windows Explorer. Below you will see the switch and a description of its function:
explorer /nThis switch uses the default setting for showing only the root of the drive that Windows is installed.
explorer /eThis switch also uses the default setting for exposing the root drive. However, you can easily switch folders in this view as both the right and left panes are viewable.
explorer /e,c:\windowsIn this example, Windows Explorer will open the Windows folder in the root drive.
explorer /e,c:\windows\fontsThis example shows that you can go a step further and open Windows Explorer with the focus on the "Fonts" folder held within the Windows folder of the root drive. Replace "fonts" with any other folder within the Windows folder that you would like to view.
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Change Windows Explorer's Default Start Folder
Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories.
Right click Windows Explorer and select Properties.
In the "Target" textbox, enter the location change. For example, if you would rather have Windows Explorer start at the root drive (usually C:), make the following change:%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\
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Enable "Show hidden files and folders"
Open Windows Explorer
Select Tools>> Folder Options
Click the View tab
Scroll the Advanced settings to find the entry titled: Show hidden files and folders.
Tick the entry and then click Apply.
Close Windows Explorer
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