I can open Explorer anyway, manually; in the event Dopus goes down. The redirects is the issue here. I wish MS would add a protocol for choosing the default app for file management. That would solve it all. But that would go against their own interests, making it easier for people to use products other than their own, I suppose.
Or when you want to launch Opus from a USB drive.
1 Like
Jon already gave you the answer, it's the other program that needs to change, not DOpus.
There is ... kind of, and that's what allows Opus to be a File Explorer replacement.
Try this : open a cmd shell
Type start C:\Windows
If Opus is configured to be Explorer replacement, C:\Windows will open in an Opus tab, otherwise, it will open in a File Explorer window.
Yet, if the developper specifically tells windows to open explorer.exe, explorer.exe will open (see example 1 in my post above).
And once again, this is a good thing in the end, since sometimes you (as an application developer) really want to master what's happening when a user does something. So both are possible.
No, Leo already gave me the answer. Then I followed up with a single example of what my issue is. Then Jon replied to me in error. Since multiple programs are still opening things in Explorer, then Dopus isn't doing its job, as per the declarations in the settings:
In my mind "all folders" means all folders. In contrast to "Don't replace File Explorer". The opposite of don't replace is replace. So if I choose anything other than 'don't replace' I expect it to be replaced, as per what it says that it does.
So "replace" sounds like my email example. That 'MAILTO' forces any app that exists on my computer to use my chosen email client when they have that ability, without deviation.
Likewise, a third party app's ability to explore a folder is routed through something as well. I don't know what that is, but Dopus does "replace" Explorer in most instances. But not with all things, so this feature is currently lacking. Void Tools Everything is not the problem. I'm not wrong. If I was, then the Everything tool would be my only variable, but it isn't. Dopus is the common denominator in this issue.
The paradigm described to me in this thread is to leave the operating system alone and when it executes its default command, then strongarm it to redirect it to Dopus. But I'm wishing for the inverse; for the operating system to be configured not to execute its default, but for a replacement of that default entirely (like the mail protocol). So that the user doesn't have to spend time reconfiguring every program they have, or use a workaround (fix the issue at the root, not the branches). Or asking every dev if they could do it; which is more often than not a waste of time; as per the proof of this thread, and many like it.
It wouldn't solve anything, because the problem is programs launching a specific file manager, not the default file manager. Changing the default file manager is already possible via Preferences, but it won't affect things that don't launch the default file manager.
The same as you can have Firefox as your default browser, but something might open Edge anyway because it's explicitly doing so. (Like Lxp's example earlier in the thread.)
If programs open the default file manager, it already works. People (and parts of the operating system) still need to be able to run explorer.exe when they want that instead of Opus, so we would never block that, even if we could.
In Everything's case, you can configure it to run Opus instead of Explorer, as other people show in detail above.
In other cases that open Explorer, it might require a code change in the other program. Opening a folder in the default file manager is as simple as calling ShellExecute(Ex) with the folder as the path and null for the verb to indicate you want the default one. Alternatively, SHOpenFolderAndSelectItems can also be used. It's a very simple change in most cases.
5 Likes
Ok, thank you.
I will have to do it the hard way, then.
1 Like
The hard way being to post on another support forum instead of ours?
No, posting on *multiple forums. As per my root vs branches mention.
I was previously misunderstanding how it works. So I will probably go with an Auto Hotkey solution.
OPENCONTAINER keeps the default behavior, thanks.
For the double-click folder event of the Everything tool, modify the command lines of "Open (Folders)" and "Open Path".
Open (Folders)
$exec("C:\Program Files\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\dopusrt.exe" /acmd=Go "%1" NEW)
Open Path
$exec("C:\Program Files\GPSoftware\Directory Opus\dopusrt.exe" /acmd=Go "%1" OPENCONTAINER NEW)
1 Like
I found another program defaulting to Explorer.
This thread shows that we know programs may directly launch Explorer.
We also know that there are third party scripts that deal with the desired redirect.
But what I don't know is why Dopus doesn't have an option in the 'Replace Explorer' section the user can enable that does this internally. Even in the scripting section, or wherever. An available script that the user just has to toggle on and it would be enabled. Handling the issue without having to resort to third party tools. To do the thing Dopus exists to do: replace Explorer.
Because that isn’t possible in Windows.
Why don’t you talk to the people who write the program that explicitly launches Explorer.exe? They are the ones doing something wrong which needs to change.
1 Like
It isn't possible? Tell that to the guy who in this thread solves the problem with an AH script, that his solution isn't possible.
I can complain to each dev about their use of launching File Explorer. But I have 208 apps on my computer. Although most do launch Dopus correctly, that's still a lot of complaining work. And then a lot of unique fixes; in comparison to only one fix. "If app launches default *or launches Explorer, go to Dopus".
And my mention of talking to devs is a waste of time, because with giving feedback, if it's something only a few people complain about, then to them it's not worth fixing. Void Tools might be the exception, being already integrated.
I don't know the stats, but I think most people who have Windows don't have Dopus. So when devs tell their app to open Explorer, they are not doing something wrong. Dopus Explorer replacement is an exception to the common practice. So I'm here asking the devs who made a program that replaces Explorer to replace Explorer. This is not minor doctrine. This is the entire reason your software exists. If an AH script can do it, then so can you.
Not my call, but given the way you're interacting here, I think you're underestimating yourself. 
4 Likes
With 1800+ apps installed, I rarely get annoyed by some program opening explorer instead of Opus.
Apart from that, you've been explained in great length how this works, why it's not the best idea to fully replace the explorer, how to do it with the use of third party tools, but looking at your last answer, it's clear you don't want to hear all this and keep asking for something that will not happen. And the way you request it, as I already pointed out in this very thread, is not helping for sure.
3 Likes
I'm saying it nicely.
These two have made the best file manager around, so I'm keeping respectful in light of what they've accomplished. But there are definitely blind spots. That's what customer feedback is for.
I'm trying to persuade these guys that it's better for Dopus to have a global "all redirects" script as an option, instead of a third party jerry-rig. When most people can scarcely send an email, let alone magically become script kitties overnight. I do have the option of contacting a bunch of other devs about it, but I think my request is superior.
You mean that you have a content aggregator program that has a thousand sample packs which have registered as apps. Artificially bloating that number. If not, I don't think even the government has that many apps. If I were to use the same stat you did, I have over four hundred apps. But I didn't feel the need to exaggerate my position.
You are not bothered that your programs could be better than they are, but you are bothered that some stranger on the internet is making a request to a developer? Odd choice of grievances.
Funny, I don't remember asking you.
I used the Everything search tool to find that pic quickly. It's a good thing that pictures open in my picture viewing app. If not, it would have opened in Explorer. I would have had to copy the path, then open Dopus, then paste the path and hit enter, then go back to Explorer and close it, then go back to Dopus. So that I can manage the file in my chosen file manager. Having to take all those extra steps like it's the year 1984, not 2024. In this current year 2024 we have back flipping robots and AI scanners uploading social media profiles to facebook spy glasses but file managers can't make themselves the default Windows file manager apparently.
Leo doesn't need fanboy thugs protecting him from criticism. He can answer for himself; and he obviously has no issue doing so.
If you guys noticed current events, the time of bullying people for having a voice is coming to an end. And that's been a long time coming.
God bless America. And every man woman and child who stands for the right to say so.
We’ve explained the reality already. Arguing for an alternative universe with different rules is a waste of time.
Most apps work properly already. The few that don’t need to be changed on their side. That’s how it is and how it always will be on Windows.
4 Likes