21

When I do a search for files on my system with Windows 7 built-in search, it opens a window with search results. If ones of the results is a folder and I open it, I go to a location like ms:query=searchstring\Folder name, which displays as " ▶ Search Results ▶ Folder name".

Is there any quick way I can convert this into a normal folder view like C:\Users\Username\Desktop\Folder name, so that I can navigate up to the parent directory, etc.? Preferably I'd like to be able to open it in a new window.

endolith
  • 7,704

4 Answers4

11

Easy! The search results will contain files from various folders. Right-click the file or folder you are interested in exploring. In the context menu select "Open File Location" or "Open Folder Location" (ctrl+click to open in a new window). Explorer will jump there and highlight the file or folder.

A change from XP is that backspace no longer moves up a folder in Explorer. Backspace acts like a web browser back button now. But once you are Exploring the file or folder you can click the breadcrumbs in the location box to move up the path.

AnnanFay
  • 1,015
Jed
  • 162
3
  1. Right click, select Properties
  2. Click in file path
  3. Hit Home, then hit Ctrl-Shift-End to select all of path.
  4. Ctrl-C to copy.
  5. Paste in path bar.
Coutour Integral
  • 31
2

Unfortunately, it doesn't actually work this way. When you right click on a file, the context menu only offers "open folder location" sometimes. It seem to happen randomly. There needs to be a way to tell windows to always show the file path in the search results.

1

If your installation of Win 7 doesn't have open folder location or open file location, here's a solution:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/236988-open-file-location-add-remove-context-menu.html

Here's what's in that solution:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Created by: Shawn Brink
; http://www.sevenforums.com
; Tutorial:  http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/236988-open-file-location-add-remove-context-menu.html

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LibraryLocation\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Results\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.symlink\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"
Almo
  • 428