Make Total Commander default file explorer

[Horst.Epp]

The script works
but I will never use it as there is no way to start any normal Explorer instance while its running.
There are better ways to use TC in Open/save dialogs like Listary, QAP or QuickSwitch.

[tuska]

2pplupo
Thank you for making the AHK-script available - an interesting variant.
Otherwise, I fully agree with Horst.Epp.

[tuska]

The .reg file below in the spoiler inserts the following keys/subkeys in the REGISTRY after double-clicking on the .reg file
in a Total Commander with administrative rights instance Button -> point 4. TC as Admin:

Code: Select all

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\open
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\open\command		-> C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE /O /A /S /T "%1"
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\open
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\open\command		-> C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE /O /A /S /T "%1"
---
Details on parameters /O /A /S /T 				-> Press F1 (Help) -> 4.a. click on "Command line parameters"

The registry entries have the effect that after a double-click on a folder in Windows Explorer,
this folder is opened in Total Commander in the active window and on a separate tab (to the right of the active tab).

WindowsExplorer_To_TotalCommander_ON_Parameter_OAST.reg - adjust the path to TC if needed

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell]
 @="open"

 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\open]

 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\open\command]
 @="C:\\totalcmd\\TOTALCMD64.EXE /O /A /S /T \"%1\""

 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
 @="open"

 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\open]

 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\open\command]
 @="C:\\totalcmd\\TOTALCMD64.EXE /O /A /S /T \"%1\""

After the registry entries are present, the following function in Total Commander is NO longer possible, namely
even after starting Total Commander with administrative rights:

Entering a '.' point in the Total Commander command line and pressing ENTER has previously caused,
a) the Windows Explorer has been started up from Total Commander
b) the path from the active Total Commander window has been automatically available in Windows Explorer

In such a case, now only a 'refresh of the view', e.g. with two TAB rows, can be observed in Total Commander,
but Windows Explorer was NOT started and therefore the current path in Total Commander could not be passed to it.

Does anyone have an explanation or solution for this behaviour

[Horst.Epp]

2tuska
I use the following button in TC to open selected entry in Windows Explorer
with the entry already selected.

Code: Select all

TOTALCMD#BAR#DATA
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
/select,"%P%N"
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
Selected file in Explorer

0
-1

[tuska]

2tuska
I use the following button in TC to open selected entry in Windows Explorer
with the entry already selected.

Code: Select all

TOTALCMD#BAR#DATA
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
/select,"%P%N"
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
Selected file in Explorer

0
-1

Thank you, this button is so perfect and also the SOLUTION for me to my post above!

[tuska]

In this post there is another .reg variant for a TC installation in

Code: Select all

C:\Program Files\totalcmd\

[Fla$her]

/select,"%P%N"

Again those quotes around %P%N. What for?

My old button for files and folders looks like this:

Code: Select all

TOTALCMD#BAR#DATA
%ComSpec% /q/c if exist
%N\ (explorer.exe /e,/root,%V) else explorer.exe /select,%V
shell32.dll,205
Select item in Explorer

1

[Horst.Epp]

2pplupo
You script works but it replaces to much Explorer functions with TC.
TC can't fully support all functions Explorer has for cloud services for example.
For example, your script prevents default usage of Explorer for Home and Quick Access
and makes it impossible to reach any of this.
I'm a hardcore TC user but TC isn't a full replacement for Explorer and there is no need to do so.

[isudfv]

2Horst.Epp
I tried your reg file, It's working. But some apps still call Explorer after tcmd is called(in like 10s after new tab showed in tcmd), do you have any thought?

[Horst.Epp]

2Horst.Epp
I tried your reg file, It's working. But some apps still call Explorer after tcmd is called(in like 10s after new tab showed in tcmd), do you have any thought?

This is only possible if the apps itself make strange calls, one using the Windows API for folder access
and a hard-coded call to Explorer.
Noting one can do against such errors.