How 2 open a specific "Find Files" window using the keyboard

[plagoon]

Hi, I'm stumped: I've been trying to figure out how to get to a SPECIFIC OPEN "Find: Files and folders" window using the keyboard (NOT the mouse) in Win2k and WinXP.

For example, to get to an open Windows Explorer window, I must merely open that window using a shortcut. Then invoking that shortcut brings me to that window (NOT opening a new window). I have been unable to replicate that behavior with an explorer window in "Find Files" mode -- everything I try opens a new window.

I found some interesting ideas from:

http://www.virtualplastic.net/html/misc_cut.html#specific

at "The Find: Files and folders" dialog, but nothing works.

For example, I've tried:

--putting the shortcut on the desktop and defining a shortcut key (ctrl+alt+J).
--Creating the script (mentioned in that page)
Dim objShell
Set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
objShell.FindFiles

I have a feeling it has something to do with the properties of the shortcut or something defined in the registry.

IDEA #1: I have been able to get Outlook 2002 to exhibit this behavior by using a shortcut with the documented startup option

"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE" /recycle

Maybe there's something analogous in Explorer, but I haven't been able to find it (closest I've come is the MSKB article "Windows Explorer Command-Line Options" #Q152457 )

IDEA #2: Do some Registry editing, something like this tip from

http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/38210/38210.html

(contributed by David Chernicoff, david@winnetmag.com) "A reader asked me whether a tool exists that will let him configure his Windows XP desktop to automatically open the same Windows Explorer windows when he logs on that were open when he last logged off his computer. Windows XP directly supports this functionality. To enable it, take the following steps:

1. Launch regedit.
2. Open HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
3. In the right-hand pane, double-click the entry PersistBrowsers.
4. Change the data value to 1.
5. Exit the registry editor.

IDEA#3: More Registry Editing, maybe of the following:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\find\ddeexec.

For example,

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article01-009

says:

Double-click on (Default), and replace the value with "[FindFolder("C:\", C:\)]"
(or whatever directory you wish).
Now...
When I go search "for files and folders" in the start menu, it still starts the search
with Local Hard Drives (C:;D.

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

 

[bcastner]

Hit the F3 key.

Be sure you do not have one of those funky keyboards with an F Lock feature. If so, toggle it off.

 

[plagoon]

That opens a NEW <find files> window. I'm trying to open one ALREADY OPEN.

This is easy to do for most other programs, but I don't know how for windows explorer (in case you haven't read the entire post).

 

[bcastner]

And you tried Alt-TAB through all open windows?

 

[plagoon]

Yes, but it's too much trouble -- typically I have almost a dozen windows open at once, and I want to get to the <find files> window directly.