New Tree Nodes: Links and the Downloads folder

[admin]

In the Win 8 Explorer folder tree the Downloads folder is shown right under "This PC", just like the Documents folder.
In the Win 7 Explorer folder tree the Downloads folder is shown under the Favorites node (I think).

In XYplorer the Downloads folder is not shown at all (unless in its real location: C:\Users\<user>\Downloads).

Are you missing this special folder? Should I add it to the tree right under This PC? Optionally, of course.

BTW, I plan to add the Favorites node to the top of the tree in the next version. It will show the contents of C:\Users\<user>\Links (just like in Explorer). Optionally, of course.

[highend]

Good idea, +1

[klownboy]

In Windows 10 Pro, my downloads folder is C:\Users\<user>\Downloads. No, it doesn't show up in Special System Folders. Personally, since I have a another Downloads folder established away from C: drive, I don't use the default much unless something slips by. Though for most, it probably makes sense to have it listed along with Documents.

[admin]

Thanks all!

I will add it. While doing this I do a major clean-up of certain sections of code. Take it all apart and try to get it working again later, this kind of thing. Might take a day or two...

[highend]

Any chance that you read the real location for these special folders from the registry (or use the Windows API), Don?

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

So this would still work with the correct folder if you've moved them via context menu - properties - path and not just with a hardcoded one (that may not even exist)

[admin]

I never hard-coded them. There is an API call to retrieve their location.

[bdeshi]

Thanks all!

I will add it. While doing this I do a major clean-up of certain sections of code. Take it all apart and try to get it working again later, this kind of thing. Might take a day or two...

While you're working on this, is there any chance that you might want to introduce oft-requested sticky top-level tree nodes? Think of the coming-up Downloads node - it will be so lonely otherwise!

[admin]

Thanks all!

I will add it. While doing this I do a major clean-up of certain sections of code. Take it all apart and try to get it working again later, this kind of thing. Might take a day or two...

While you're working on this, is there any chance that you might want to introduce oft-requested sticky top-level tree nodes? Think of the coming-up Downloads node - it will be so lonely otherwise!

Isn't that what I said above in my first post? You can put there all sticky stuff you want, even files.

BTW, I plan to add the Favorites node to the top of the tree in the next version. It will show the contents of C:\Users\<user>\Links (just like in Explorer). Optionally, of course.

[bdeshi]

Sorry. I hadn't read the last paragraph there.

BTW, I plan to add the Favorites node to the top of the tree in the next version. It will show the contents of C:\Users\<user>\Links (just like in Explorer). Optionally, of course.

Was wondering why you'd go through so much trouble to add just a single folder

[Filehero]

Hi Don,

sticky, top-level, favorites ...

[bdeshi]

Code: Select all

      - These LNKs are not stored in the Mini Tree. So you either see all
        ("Links" expanded) or none ("Links" collapsed). Mini Tree always starts
        with the node collapsed. Might be changed later.

Hmm, I don't see the Links node in the MiniTree at all, unless I open it from the maxitree

Code: Select all

        [...]In Mini Tree you add by going to "Links" (might not work
        in non-English Windows).

but invoking "Optimize tree" hides it again.

A more important note: The node ought to have some XYplorer-only locations too. Maybe a hybrid node that lists all content from %userprofile%\links and a <xyini>\[Links] section ?

edited.

[admin]

A more important note: The node ought to have some XYplorer-only locations too. Maybe a hybrid node that lists all content from %userprofile%\links and a <xyini>\[Links] section ?

There are millions of XY native and portable ways to have links. I think this new way for a change should interact with the host system only. Well, I guess I know what's coming now...

[admin]

OK, idea: make the location of the LNK collection customizable, defaulting to %userprofile%\Links. That way you can easily make it private & portable by setting it e.g. to <xydata>\Links.

[bdeshi]

There are millions of XY native and portable ways to have links. I think this new way for a change should interact with the host system only. Well, I guess I know what's coming now...

You know, that doesn't sound bad at all. The tree itself is bound to the host pc after all - and the point of this links node is to make it more like the WE tree. No compliants from me. But you've spoiled us with choices!

OK, idea: make the location of the LNK collection customizable, defaulting to %userprofile%\Links.

eh, it'd be impossible or almost impossible to have relative links... :cool:

[admin]

OK, idea: make the location of the LNK collection customizable, defaulting to %userprofile%\Links.

eh, it'd be impossible or almost impossible to have relative links... :cool:

True.

Well, in the future it might be a nice enhancement to be able to switch the Links shown in the Links folder on the fly to some other location, or even to some LNKs list only existing in memory. For now, I will keep it a it is.