Batch script to Launch Multiple Instances of Windows Explorer at Same Location

Question

I have a batch script on my Windows XP desktop (LaunchWindowsExplorers.bat) which should launch a couple of instances of Windows Explorer.

It looks like this:

LaunchWindowsExplorers.bat :

start explorer "C:\SomeDirectory" 
start explorer "C:\SomeDirectory" 

When I double click the file LaunchWindowsExplorers.bat

I would expect to see

• two instances of Windows Explorer opened at "C:\SomeDirectory" .

Instead, I see

• just one instance of Windows Explorer opened at "C:\SomeDirectory".

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What would I need to do to make this script open two instances of Windows Explorer, each of which opened at "C:\SomeDirectory"?

Thanks.

Answer 1

You may use explorer /n,"C:\SomeDirectory", explorer /e,"C:\SomeDirectory" or explorer /root,"C:\SomeDirectory" (depending on a view you want). Explanation of the options taken from here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314853:

Option Function

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/n Opens a new single-pane window for the default selection. This is usually the root of the drive that Windows is installed on. If the window is already open, a duplicate opens.

/e Opens Windows Explorer in its default view.

/root,<object> Opens a window view of the specified object.

/select,<object> Opens a window view with the specified folder, file, or program selected.

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What's interesting, this behavior (not showing second window for the same directory) seems specific to XP. Win7 simply starts second copy of explorer. I have not checked Vista.

Answer 2

Though I'm not sure of the solution, have you tried changing it to something like:
start explorer "C:\SomeDirectory"
start explorer "C:\AnotherDirectory"
and checked what happens?
I would assume what's happening is that start explorer has a check to see if there is already an explorer open, and it only opens a new one if that's false (otherwise it just redirects the currently open one).
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.