How To Get Windows 7 Explorer Pane In Vista?
Posted November 11, 2008 – 5:55 pm in: Vista Tweaks, Windows 7, Windows 7 Tweaks[ad#ad-1]
Like all other Windows 7 feature, Windows 7 explore has a new left pane which has new options like Libraries and Recent Places by default. The left looks good compared to Vista. So, here I have tried to revamp Vista explorer (left) pane into Windows 7. I hope this will help you.
However, note that, we can’t get the exact working libraries in Vista .We can give a close Windows 7 Explorer left pane look to Vista by using this guide. Below is the screenshot of Windows 7 and Vista Explorer, which was taken after applying this guide to Vista.
The method is bit simple. You need to add all the shortcut links to Links directory of Vista. Below is the procedure:
1. Go to Tools > Folder Options>View > Enable “Show hidden files”.
2. Click “Appy” and go back to “C” drive.
3. Navigate to C:\Users\Username\Links( where C is your Vista drive)
4. Add the shortcuts of the below folders to Links folder using “How to add folders to Favorite links” guide.
*Favorite
*Desktop
*Recent Places ( This folder will not work actually.Just for the Widnows 7 look)
*Libraries
*Picture
*Downloads
*Music
*Pictures
*My computer
*Your drive
*Your drive
5. Download Windows 7 icon pack and extract the “Icons” folder to Desktop.
6. Browse the folder for the appropriate icon for your shortcuts. Use the above image to get the idea.
7. Right click on each of the shortcut item in the C:\Users\Username\Links folder >Properties>Customize.
8. Browse for the exact icon from the downloaded icon folder.
If you have followed all the above steps, you will close the look. Note that, you need to get the space between the folders (between, desktop & Libraries) to get the exact look. Here is how:
A. Create a new folder in C:\Users\Username\Links folder.
B. Right-click, select rename.
C. Press 0160 from the numeric pad with holding [Alt] key.
D. It will create a folder with no name.
E. Right click on the folder > Properties>customize> select the blank icon (look below image).
To get the space between “My Computer” icon and Pictures follow the below guide:
1. Create a new folder in C:\Users\Username\Links folder.
2. Right click, select rename.
3. Press ~ key.
4. It will create a folder with ~ name.
5. Right click on the folder > Properties>customize> select the blank icon (look above image).
This will give you the exact look of Windows 7 left pane in Vista explorer. I know the procedure is bit time consuming and confusing. If you have any doubt please let me know in the form of comment.
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Tags: explorer, Vista, Windows 7
8 Comments
This is pretty neat, but how do you make a shortcut to “my computer”?
^To create My computer shortcut:
*Right click on “My Computer”,select “Create shortcut”.
*Now,paste this new shortcut in the Links folder.
“Press 0160 from the numeric pad with holding [Alt] key” hello, how to delete that folder back …
Switch to Details View to see the folder.Actually you will the modified date of the folder.Just select
it and hit delete.That’s all!
How do you set it so that the “Folders” section is minimized automatically when you open Explorer?
Can you be more specific, please?
In XP there was a Status option in Windows explorer which gave you the remianing size in the bottom of the Explorer Window. I cannot find that in Win 7. Can anyone?
Hi..
nice guide but how do I make a shortcut to ‘libraries’ please as I can’t seem to find the folder anywhere??
Thanks..
Dude