Question How to stop new file explorer window overlapping previously opened file explorer window ?

[editor1]

Hi all

I don't want my new file explorer window to overlap the previously opened file explorer window . Any idea on how to stop this ?

 

[Lutfij]

See if this or this helps ... ?

 

[editor1]

See if this or this helps ... ?

Interesting stuff. But I don't need window to always be on top as I just need to see old and new window at same time. Is there as option for how windows is organized. Ie like tiles ?

 

[USAFRet]

Interesting stuff. But I don't need window to always be on top as I just need to see old and new window at same time. Is there as option for how windows is organized. Ie like tiles ?

Do you mean completely to the left or right, rather than "overlapping mostly"?

 

[editor1]

Do you mean completely to the left or right, rather than "overlapping mostly"?

I just don't want them to overlap. I don't care about the location so much.

 

[Grobe]

Have you considered a different app? Windows explorer doesn't support what you're asking for.

Windows solution: A 3-party app like Q-dir http://q-dir.com/
Linux solution: Use a desktop with tiling support

 

[gardenman]

AutoHotKey is a bit complicated to get set up and working if you've never used it before. But basically you install the software, then you create scripts in Notepad and save them as .AHK files. You can then double click on a script to run it, and it shows up in the tray (taskbar near clock) where you can right click to close it at anytime. Some scripts auto-close, depending on what they do. Anyway...

An AutoHotKey script could be an option. Example:
https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?style=1&f=76&t=107300
But the folders are known beforehand.

Another AHK script will save/restore window positions:
https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=17907
This may or may not work.

I haven't tested them myself, but I could if asked.

If neither of those work, it can still likely be done but you may have to write the script yourself if you are capable. Or find someone to do it for you.

Are the folders known beforehand? Like "I want to open C:\Windows, My Documents, and Videos, each taking up 33% of the screen."

 

[Grobe]

AutoHotKey is a bit complicated to get set up and working if you've never used it before. But basically you install the software, then you create scripts in Notepad and save them as .AHK files.

On that note, I'd rather recommend using a better text editor like Notepad3 as it support proper highlighting of AHK syntax.

 

[editor1]

Have you considered a different app? Windows explorer doesn't support what you're asking for.

Windows solution: A 3-party app like Q-dir http://q-dir.com/
Linux solution: Use a desktop with tiling support

I'll cheek it out ty for the suggestion.

AutoHotKey is a bit complicated to get set up and working if you've never used it before. But basically you install the software, then you create scripts in Notepad and save them as .AHK files. You can then double click on a script to run it, and it shows up in the tray (taskbar near clock) where you can right click to close it at anytime. Some scripts auto-close, depending on what they do. Anyway...

An AutoHotKey script could be an option. Example:
https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?style=1&f=76&t=107300
But the folders are known beforehand.

Another AHK script will save/restore window positions:
https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=17907
This may or may not work.

I haven't tested them myself, but I could if asked.

If neither of those work, it can still likely be done but you may have to write the script yourself if you are capable. Or find someone to do it for you.

Are the folders known beforehand? Like "I want to open C:\Windows, My Documents, and Videos, each taking up 33% of the screen."

Ya I can set them to known sub directory's. I really have no experience in scripting but have wanted for some time now.
Odd thing is in the past there was a simple setting that let the new window tile next to previously opened windows. But I cant find that setting.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Open both File Explorer windows.
Now right-click empty part of taskbar and choose "Show windows side-by-side"

 

[gardenman]

"Show windows side-by-side"

Good idea. I looked up a way to do this with a batch file, but came across a way to do it with a VBS file. VBS is a scripting language that is built into Windows. Here is the script that I created:

Option Explicit
Dim objShell, fn
Set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")

fn = "C:\program files\"
objShell.Explore fn

fn = "c:\Windows"
objShell.Explore fn

fn = "c:\program files (x86)"
objShell.Explore fn

WScript.Sleep(1000)
objShell.TileVertically
set objShell = nothing

Copy/paste the text into Notepad and save it as a .VBS file. Be sure that the file is NOT saved as Example.VBS.txt. If it is, remove the ".txt" from the end. It should be Example.VBS

Each folder takes two lines. One to set the folder name, and the 2nd line opens the folder. At the end, "Tile Vertically" is called to set them "side by side". At first I couldn't get it working but once I added the 1 second delay (sleep), it started working. Note that if you have any other Windows open, they also will be tiled too.