Folders Popup Recent folders are taken in the Windows virtual folder "Recent items":
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
Windows "Recent items" is the list of files and folders recently accessed by the user. I could not tell what criteria Windows applies to decide what and when recent items are added to this list. If someone knows more, you are welcomed to contribute to this thread.
From my understanding, Windows is using this list to populate the “Recent Places” virtual folder found in the Win 7 Explorer left pane. “Recent Places” is a subset of the “Recent Items”, showing only folders. "Recent items" are also used to populate the applications "Jump Lists" in Win 7.
Is this message displayed at startup? At startup, v2 is creating a temporary folder named _temp located under the folder where you run the app. Could you try running FP in its own subfolder?
Found the problem. V2 can remember the "Recent Folders". If you had a Removable memory "E" plugged in and later removed the V2 would look for it, but it is no longer present...
After disabling the option for displaying the Recent Folders V2 starts working properly
Good catch! This was not found in the previous v2 testing phases.
Folders Popup is relying on a list of recent items (files and folders) maintained by Windows. In my experience, using Windows 7, unavailable folders (located on an unavailable media) are removed from this list when parsed by FP. But this could be different in your environment. Do you run under Win XP?
Anyway, I can see where I'll need to add a validation that a recent item exists before accessing its properties and adding the folder to the "Recent folders" menu. In a private email, I'll ask if you would accept to test a beta version before I release this fix.
I'd like to access the recent folders directly (one click only).
Now I have to middle click first and then click in "Recent folders..."
Is there a way to call the "Recent" menu with the middle click or to actually show the recent folders in the main menu? This last option would be even better.
Hi Diego,
Some time ago I had exactly the same remark.
This is what Jean answered me:
That's the best way I found to refresh this menu on demand (I mean only when the user asks for this menu). It is like this since v2.2. Before, I had the Recent folders menu as part of the main menu structure and I had to refresh it before every display of the popup menu. If you had many recent items or if you PC was busy or if your hard disk was sleeping, the wait time was really too long. Now, the wait occurs only when you ask for recent folders. At the price of having it in a separate menu.
I understand the reasoning behind the default configuration, but to have an option to call the recent menu directly with a mouse button would be nice and maybe would not require major changes. Usually I only access the recent menu.
I was asked "How to delete the list of recent folders?". Since "Recent folders" is a subset of Windows virtual folder “Recent items”, you need to reset the whole list of recent items.
1) Open this folder:
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
or use this shortcut:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
[ BTW, since FP v4, you can now use environment variables like %appdata% in FP favorite paths! ]
You can see the current recent items (folders or files).
2) Make sure the navigation pane is visible. Use the "Organize" menu.
3) Right-click the "Recent places" menu and select "Clear Recent Items List". Recent items are gone and "Recent Folders" menu in Folders Popup is empty. The menu will stay grayed out until there is at least one folder in recent items.
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How are the Recent Folders populated? I noticed some folders that I open appear in the list, while others do not.
Folders Popup Recent folders are taken in the Windows virtual folder "Recent items":
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
Windows "Recent items" is the list of files and folders recently accessed by the user. I could not tell what criteria Windows applies to decide what and when recent items are added to this list. If someone knows more, you are welcomed to contribute to this thread.
From my understanding, Windows is using this list to populate the “Recent Places” virtual folder found in the Win 7 Explorer left pane. “Recent Places” is a subset of the “Recent Items”, showing only folders. "Recent items" are also used to populate the applications "Jump Lists" in Win 7.
V2.0.1-32 stops displaying the following:
There is no disk in the drive, Please insert a disk into drive E:. Even with the default .ini file.
V2 is running from My Documents just as V1 was. V1 worked without any problems. I do not understand why it is looking for E.
Is this message displayed at startup? At startup, v2 is creating a temporary folder named _temp located under the folder where you run the app. Could you try running FP in its own subfolder?
Is this message displayed at startup? - Yes
Found the problem. V2 can remember the "Recent Folders". If you had a Removable memory "E" plugged in and later removed the V2 would look for it, but it is no longer present...
After disabling the option for displaying the Recent Folders V2 starts working properly
Just noticed that "E" is my CD drive where no disk is present.
Good catch! This was not found in the previous v2 testing phases.
Folders Popup is relying on a list of recent items (files and folders) maintained by Windows. In my experience, using Windows 7, unavailable folders (located on an unavailable media) are removed from this list when parsed by FP. But this could be different in your environment. Do you run under Win XP?
Anyway, I can see where I'll need to add a validation that a recent item exists before accessing its properties and adding the folder to the "Recent folders" menu. In a private email, I'll ask if you would accept to test a beta version before I release this fix.
Thanks for reporting this early in v2 life.
Hi, first time user here.
I'd like to access the recent folders directly (one click only).
Now I have to middle click first and then click in "Recent folders..."
Is there a way to call the "Recent" menu with the middle click or to actually show the recent folders in the main menu? This last option would be even better.
Thanks.
Hi Diego,
Some time ago I had exactly the same remark.
This is what Jean answered me:
That's the best way I found to refresh this menu on demand (I mean only when the user asks for this menu). It is like this since v2.2. Before, I had the Recent folders menu as part of the main menu structure and I had to refresh it before every display of the popup menu. If you had many recent items or if you PC was busy or if your hard disk was sleeping, the wait time was really too long. Now, the wait occurs only when you ask for recent folders. At the price of having it in a separate menu.
Very valid in my opinion.
Regards,
Geert
I understand the reasoning behind the default configuration, but to have an option to call the recent menu directly with a mouse button would be nice and maybe would not require major changes. Usually I only access the recent menu.
Hello Diego and Geert,
I think I can do something about this. Added to the wish-list.
Thanks!
Jean
Hi, Jean.
Thank you very much.
Done in v3.0.7 to be released soon in beta version here: http://code.jeanlalonde.ca/beta-testers-wanted-for-folders-popup-v3/ (see Settings, Options)
I was asked "How to delete the list of recent folders?". Since "Recent folders" is a subset of Windows virtual folder “Recent items”, you need to reset the whole list of recent items.
1) Open this folder:
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
or use this shortcut:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
[ BTW, since FP v4, you can now use environment variables like %appdata% in FP favorite paths! ]
You can see the current recent items (folders or files).
2) Make sure the navigation pane is visible. Use the "Organize" menu.
3) Right-click the "Recent places" menu and select "Clear Recent Items List". Recent items are gone and "Recent Folders" menu in Folders Popup is empty. The menu will stay grayed out until there is at least one folder in recent items.