How to save default source

[LeonLeon]

Hello
Just one question:
How do I set the source drive or folder in TC 11, I want it to always return to the drive or folder I indicate after exiting the program and starting program again, unfortunately it always returns to drive C and I can't find the option to have the same source on the left.

When I close the program and turn it on, it returns to the place where I finished browsing, but when I wait 10 seconds, it returns to C as if the program was resetting to the default drive C and I want it to be a completely different folder or drive.

Can someone tell me how to make it always open in the place I indicate and not randomly or only on C.
Thank you in advance.

[Dalai]

TC only switches to the C: drive when the currently shown source - or previously shown source if we're including TC restarts - becomes unavailable.

By default TC saves the current source and target directories when exiting. This can be disabled by unchecking the "Directories" checkbox in Options > Operation > Save on exit. Keep in mind that this does not change the behavior I described above (switching away from an unavailable source).

[tuska]

2LeonLeon
You can solve this with shortcut(s) (.lnk files) on the desktop, e.g. as follows (provided that the directory can be accessed):
(The paths below may need to be adjusted!)

C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE /N /L=D:\Data
C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE /N /L="C:\totalcmd\Tools\Clear History TC\"   (If there are spaces in the path, use quotation marks!)
C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE /N /L=D:\Data /R=I:\Data /P=L

4.a. Command line parameters
/N Opens in any case a new Total Commander window
    (overrides the settings in the configuration dialog to allow only one copy of Total Commander at a time)
/L= Set path in left window
/R= Set path right window
Examples: ...

Goal (example):
After clicking on a shortcut on the desktop (or on the pinned icon of Total Commander in the taskbar),
the directory D:\Data should be opened in the left window and
the directory I:\Data in the right window in Total Commander.

Create a shortcut (.lnk file) on the desktop, e.g.
C:\Users\<user>\Desktop\TOTALCMD64.EXE C-totalcmd.lnk

Press the Windows logo key + D > right-click on the desktop > New > Shortcut > Type the location of the item:, e.g.
C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE > click on button "Next" to continue > type a name for this shortcut:,
e.g. TOTALCMD64.EXE C-totalcmd > click on the “Finish” button --> the link file (.lnk) has been created on the desktop >
right-click on the link and then on “Properties” > add the following parameters to the field "Target" and "Comment",
as shown below:

Target:
C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE /N /L=D:\Data /R=I:\Data /P=L

Start in:
C:\totalcmd

Comment:
C:\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE /N /L=D:\Data /R=I:\Data /P=L
(The comment is then displayed in the tooltip for the .lnk file on the desktop).

> then click on the “Apply” and “OK” buttons.

Start Total Commander by double-clicking on the shortcut “TOTALCMD64.EXE C-totalcmd.lnk” on the desktop.
The directory D:\Data is displayed in the left-hand *active* TC window and
the directory I:\Data is displayed in the right-hand *inactive* TC window.

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Windows 11 Pro (x64) Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.3476) - 2025-03-11 | TC 11.51 x64/x86