Windows Explorer Default

I'm not sure if you are launching it via command line or shortcut. Via command line, you enter explorer.exe /n,/e. Or if you create a shortcut, you just add this to the target line

Here's the KB article from MS:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q235356

Can I open Explorer in the C:\ drive instead of the My Computer view?

Yes. You can execute explorer from the command line or from a shortcut and use switches to control the view. The syntax is:

EXPLORER.EXE [/n] [/e] [,/root,{object}] [[,/select],{sub object}]

/n - opens a new "My Computer" view of the object, even if already open.

/e - opens an "Explorer" view of the object.

/root,{object} - the specified root for the display.

For example:

C:\WINNT\explorer.exe /n, /e, C:\

This opens explorer with the c: drive expanded.

Lee