Get Win7 WindowsExplorer to Open multiple files in SAME app window?

[BlueZango]

How do I get Windows 7 Windows Explorer to Open multiple files (of same type) in the SAME application window, like it did in Windows XP?

PAST

WinXP > Windows Explorer > Highlight File (jpg) > Open > Application Launches > Open 2nd File > Opens in SAME application window. Now I can work with both files in the same application.

NOW

Win 7 > Windows Explorer > Highlight File (jpg) > Open > Application Launches > Open 2nd File > Opens in NEW application window. I then have 2,3,4,..of the same application running. I want to open and work with the files within the SAME single application window. (using windows explorer)(like I did with XP).

How do I tweak Win7?

What is the terminology or registry area for this technical change? (so I can search better without so many common words)

Which files--
Excel (xls), Microsoft Paint (jpg), Corel Photo-Paint (jpg) >> seems like all applications that can open multiple files. It definitely seems like a change to the O/S. Same apps worked fine in XP.

(I would accept a single tweak to get Corel Photo-Paint JPGs to all open in the same app window. I want to go to windows explorer, click on JPGs, and have them all open in 1 instance of Corel Photo-Paint, or any application associated with JPGs.)

 

[dodger46]

I get round it by opening once from Quick launch, then Start, enter C: in search, choose a folder and click. Bingo, new Explorer window...

Hmmm, think I mis-read your query... Guess you would then have to restore down each open Window to see them side by side...

 

[caqde]

What is the application handling that file type. A lot of this depends on the application that is handling the file. In this case it seems the application allows multiple instances. If the program has the capability it should be able to set itself up to do what you want. Check the application settings. What is happening all depends on what the program does when sent the command to load the file from the OS.

 

[dodger46]

What is the application handling that file type. A lot of this depends on the application that is handling the file. In this case it seems the application allows multiple instances. If the program has the capability it should be able to set itself up to do what you want. Check the application settings. What is happening all depends on what the program does when sent the command to load the file from the OS.

Sounds like Windows Photo Viewer, which indeed can only open one file at a time. A more capable application is required, methinks! I use Adobe PSE which allows as many files as I want...

 

[BlueZango]

Excel (xls), Microsoft Paint (jpg), Corel Photo-Paint (jpg) >> seems like all applications that can open multiple files. It definitely seems like a change to the O/S. Same apps worked fine in XP.

 

[BlueZango]

I would accept a single tweak to get Corel Photo-Paint JPGs to all open in the same app window.

 

[caqde]

Well Win 7's MS Paint is not the same as the one from WinXP. There seems to be a lot of attempts to get Photo-Paint to work in Win7 like you want and that seems to be an issue. I'm not sure what version you are using so trying to help you there might be an issue it seems the default loading method for photopaint is to load a new app, but there are variables you can add to load the file in a current app. The basic thing you will need to do is change the default application to a shortcut with these variables added to the end "-DDE \"%1\" since windows 7 doesn't allow you to add them otherwise.

 

[BlueZango]

Ok, now we are getting somewhere close!!. Thanks
1) I created a Shortcut to CorelPP.exe
2) Edited to add your DDE command suffix
Target: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Corel\Corel Graphics 12\Programs\CorelPP.exe" "-DDE \"%1\"
3) I did not change the
Start In: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Corel\Corel Graphics 12\Programs"
4) I associated the .JPG file types with the new short cut.
5) I double click on a JPG in Windows Explorer >> Photo-Paint Opens
6) I double click on a 2nd JPG in Windows Explorer >> Photo-Paint Opens another app.
Did not work.

Removed 2 parenthesis, would not accept "C:\Program Files (x86)\Corel\Corel Graphics 12\Programs\CorelPP.exe -DDE \"%1\"

Tried this:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Corel\Corel Graphics 12\Programs\CorelPP.exe" -DDE \"%1\

no good.
Please advise.

 

[BlueZango]

Tried the same thing with new Paint shortcut.
%windir%\system32\mspaint.exe "-DDE \"%1\"
did not help.

 

[BlueZango]

I think the part that is not working is associating JPG with the new shortcut. It seem to ignore my shortcut.
a) Right click JPG
b) Open With
c) Choose default program
d) Browse
e) find my new shortcut
f) open
g) the "Open" dialog box has Paint highlighted, as if I did nothing.
Seem to pass the command right thru.

To confirm:
If I now delete the shortcut, Paint Still opens with JPGs.

 

[BlueZango]

I need more help (detailed) with the "-DDE \"%1\" solution.

 

[BlueZango]

I need more help (detailed) with the "-DDE \"%1\" solution.

 

[BlueZango]

I need more help (detailed) with the "-DDE \"%1\" solution.