How do I save Folder layout as shortcut

[Scruples98]

I am looking for a dual pane file explorer that can save the folder layout so I can create a shortcut that will open that specific dual pane view. I just want to be able to set up the two folders in dual pane view and then save that layout with those folder settings as a shortcut. I don't want to have to script the shortcut. Then I want to be able to access that shortcut using my Windows 7 manager jumplist. Can I do this with XYplorer? How? Thanks.

[admin]

Hi and welcome,

it's possible. XY allows to "save as..." configurations in INI files of a name of your choice. These INI files can be loaded via command line switch on startup. A Windows shortcut can take command line switches.

This should start you. Ask if you need more.

Don

[Scruples98]

Okay, so I found the INI file.

I am using windows Manager Jumplist Utility to create a XYplorer link to a specific layout.

Title is "Blackberry Drives"
Path is C:\Program Files (x86)\XYplorer\XYplorer.exe
Parameter is /ini=C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\XYplorer\mclsystembbsdcard.ini

In this specific INI file there is some of the initial settings. For example I see StartPath=F:\

But I cannot find a key that states

Panel One Tab One Start path is F:\ (My New Blackberry SD Card)

Panel Two Tab One Start Path is I:\ (My old blackberry SD Card)

In Summary,

1. I don't know how to construct the shortcut so it launches the specific ini file rather than the generic ini file. Can you give me an example?

2. I don't know how to set up the INI file so it tells XYplorer to open panel one as F:\ and Panel 2 as I:\. Can you give me an example?

3. Does the Trial version interfere with doing any of this?

[admin]

I just tested it and all works as expected.

The tab data are stored not in the INI itself but below the Panes subdirectory of the application data folder. To go to the active pane's data path use this line in the Address Bar:

Code: Select all

goto <xypane>;

In this folder you will find a file pane.ini which contains the data you are looking for.

By passing the INI via command line XYplorer knows by the name of this file where to look for the tab data.

[Scruples98]

So far so good! Now I need the whole thing together.

I have created this shortcut I want to run from my jump list.
Title Blackberry Drives
Path C:\Program Files (x86)\XYplorer\XYplorer.exe
Parameter /ini=C:\Users\Mike\AppData\Roaming\XYplorer\mclsystembbsdcard.ini

What comes next? I am not a script guy! (I did just read through your extensive help file on scripting, but all I was able to do was to launch a pop up menu with the choice of the path I want to be launched. I don't want a popup menu, I just want the program to execute the choices so I end up with a dual pane view with one path in one pane and another path in another pane.)

As mentioned above I am looking for a simple solution to this dual pane feature. I wish I did not have to edit ini files or spell out command line switches with accurate syntax!

I find it hard to accept that your program and all the other file managers I have looked at have not been able to develop a simple feature that people can customize which panes they see when they launch a shortcut!

I don't' mean to be a grouch about this but it just seems to me a feature that is lacking, I just don't understand why this problem is so difficult and why it has not been solved by someone already. Surely, the very nature of the dual panes cries out for this type of feature.

[admin]

So far so good! Now I need the whole thing together.

I have created this shortcut I want to run from my jump list.
Title Blackberry Drives
Path C:\Program Files (x86)\XYplorer\XYplorer.exe
Parameter /ini=C:\Users\Mike\AppData\Roaming\XYplorer\mclsystembbsdcard.ini

Yes, looks good. Should work. And does work here. So the question now is: It does not work? What happens instead?

[Scruples98]

Further thoughts and lessons I have learned in trying to get this set up.

1. To prevent XYplorer writing changes to your custom ini file you can make it read only.

2. As a workaround for the shortcuts to specific paths in specific panes I am using the Tab History feature. I open the dual pane view of XYplorer. I right click on the path at the top of the pane. I choose Tab History and I have a list of the 30 most recent paths to occupy that tab in that pane.

3. to set up different start up folders with different script files and pane ini files, you can launch a custom startup ini file that points to a custom startup folder.

Please comment if I have got any of this wrong.