Dual-pane Explorer

About:

• This AutoIt script opens 2 instances of Explorer and "shows windows side by side".
• When multitasking in Windows, it is more convenient using a dual-pane Explorer.

Download:

AutoIt (To convert AU3 scripts to EXE and run it)




How To:

1. Install AutoIt (or extract if you downloaded the portable zip version.)
2. Open SciTE Script Editor (or any source code editor)
3. Copy and paste a script below
4. Save as “Dual-pane Explorer.au3” (or whatever name you choose, as long as the extension is "au3")
   
5. You can test “Run Script” using AutoIt3
6. “Compile Script to .exe” using Aut2exe (Have an icon ready for your exe.)

Scripts:

1. Opens 2 Explorer windows at the root of the drive and "shows windows side by side"

Code:

Local $hRun1 = _Run('Explorer.exe', 0, 0, @DesktopWidth/2, @DesktopHeight - 40)
Local $hRun2 = _Run('Explorer.exe', @DesktopWidth/2, 0, @DesktopWidth/2, @DesktopHeight - 40)

Func _Run($sRunCommand, $iX, $iY, $iW, $iH)
    Local $aWinList_Before = WinList("[CLASS:CabinetWClass]")
    Run($sRunCommand)
    Do
        $aWinList_After = WinList("[CLASS:CabinetWClass]")
    Until $aWinList_After[0][0] > $aWinList_Before[0][0]
    Local $hWnd = $aWinList_After[1][1]
    Sleep(1000)
    WinMove($hWnd, "", $iX, $iY, $iW, $iH)
EndFunc

2. Opens 2 Explorer windows at the drive or folder of your choice and "shows windows side by side"

(To change the path — edit "Local $Path1" & "Local $Path2")

Code:

Local $Path1 = "D:\"
Local $hRun1 = _Run("explorer /e, " & '"' & $Path1 & '"', 0, 0, @DesktopWidth/2, @DesktopHeight - 40)
Local $Path2 = "F:\"
Local $hRun2 = _Run("explorer /e, " & '"' & $Path2 & '"', @DesktopWidth/2, 0, @DesktopWidth/2, @DesktopHeight - 40)

Func _Run($sRunCommand, $iX, $iY, $iW, $iH)
    Local $aWinList_Before = WinList("[CLASS:CabinetWClass]")
    Run($sRunCommand)
    Do
        $aWinList_After = WinList("[CLASS:CabinetWClass]")
    Until $aWinList_After[0][0] > $aWinList_Before[0][0]
    Local $hWnd = $aWinList_After[1][1]
    Sleep(1000)
    WinMove($hWnd, "", $iX, $iY, $iW, $iH)
EndFunc

​