Classic Shell: Forum

Hey all (but mainly Ivo).

I'm wondering would it be possible, somehow, to replace the Explorer "tree view" component only?

I ask because over the years it's become an absolute bloated mess:

• Too many top-level nodes (User folders, Favourites, OneDrive, HomeGroup, Network, Desktop folders, Creative Cloud if you have it)
• New features with each Windows release (Favourites, Libraries, Quick Access)
• A very different layout if "Show all folders" is checked
• User folders showing under "This PC" along with the hard drives
• Repetition of same user folders in multiple places (Top level, Quick Access, Favourites, Libraries, This PC)
• Physical duplication of user folder items if you've previously updated their locations
• Sudden appearance of user folders in the main tree if accessed from "Quick Access"
• No real way to change features except through registry hacks
• Etc., etc.

It's just awful!

Explorer as a bit of software is awesome, it's just really badly let down by the tree view. Each time they upgrade the OS, I go running to Google to find the latest registry hacks to remove all the junk from the tree so I can actually get some work done.

What would be great would be a way to completely customize the tree, in the same way that we can customise Classic Start's start menu.

The question is - is this actually possible? Explorer is my #1 go-to bit of software, and just as Classic Start has rescued the Start Menu, I'd love to see Explorer rescued as well.

And before anyone says "why not use an Explorer replacement?" I've tried them all, and they're all pretty awful in their own way.

Microsoft actually has a great bit of software with Explorer, they've just crucified the left hand column.

Cheers for reading,

Dave Stewart