Desktop shortcut to folder?

KryptoNyte · 12-31-2010, 01:24 AM

Is there a way to create a shortcut on the desktop (home screen) to a folder on the SDcard? When I click and hold the desktop (with ADW Launcher), there is an option for "Folders," but when selected, does nothing.

I was hoping to create a folder shortcut to my videos directory ...

The Joker · 12-31-2010, 03:37 AM

Yes....I just created a desktop shortcut to my music folder on my card....press and hold, then use widget (desktop visualizer), then I used Astro to select the music folder....placed it on 1 of the 5 adw desktops

ETA.......I can't seem to get the folder option to do anything either though......but it worked with the method listed above

KryptoNyte · 12-31-2010, 11:49 AM

TJ, I'm afraid I don't really follow what you're saying there, but looking at your method, this presents a challenge. There is no file browser built into Android, such as Windows Explorer, so to carry this out, two things have to happen:

1) have an app that can create a shortcut on the desktop to a file browser app
2) have a file browser app (Root explorer, Astro, etc.) that can launch to a folder

So the question is, how would one go about creating two shortcuts on the desktop, one that launches a window to the "videos" folder, and one that launches a window to the "music" folder (for example)? It would seem to me that once you setup Astro (or any other file browser) to launch to a specific folder, that any shortcut that launches Astro would launch to *only* that one folder.

If you could elaborate a bit on your instructions please ...

The Joker · 12-31-2010, 12:04 PM

Have you grabbed desktop visualizer from the market....You need this app...,

KryptoNyte · 12-31-2010, 12:07 PM

I did ... yes.

I am, however, using Root Explorer rather than Astro.

The Joker · 12-31-2010, 12:20 PM

Astro comes up as an option when you are at the select activity portion......thenn u can use astro to navigate to the card folder.......I probably need to get on the computer to explain in more detail....

KryptoNyte · 12-31-2010, 12:22 PM

I think I understand, now. So you have Astro's default folder set for the "music" directory.

NoName · 12-31-2010, 01:54 PM

Get a free app called Folder Organizer from Market. You can assign categories to apps and place a folder on the desktop. Haven't tried it for music though. What with everything else, I haven't found time to put music on my NC. (But seeing as I went off on a trip and forgot both of my iPods at home, I might be forced to grab my music from my phone and transfer it to my NC.)

Edit: Just tried to make a folder for videos but it didn't work. Not sure if it would with the paid version. BBut I've been making folders for apps and for that it works. Will think about buying the app.

For videos, I got Act 1 Video Player and you can put that on the desktop and it'll open a list of vidoes.

Not sure about music.

SCION · 12-31-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoName

You can assign categories to apps and place a folder on the desktop...

This would be the equivalent of having a discrete desktop for certain apps? I'm using 7 desktops now which I like. Perhaps others would prefer a more streamlined approach.

The Joker · 12-31-2010, 02:53 PM

Ok...,although my method worked....I do see a flaw......if I use astro for something else, navigate to a different folder....it seems to remember that location when I click the desktop'd music folder......another example, I did the same for my library book folder (created desktop shortcut)

I guess if I never used astro to navigate anywhere else it would work.......

And here I thought I provided my first valid tip

SCION · 12-31-2010, 02:57 PM

At least you came back and shared your discovery. You could have tried to sweep it under the rug, in hopes that Krypto wouldn't call you on it. Still worthy of kudos and karma.

zartemis · 12-31-2010, 06:02 PM

Actually, I think The Joker is on the right track. You need both desktop visualizer and Astro.

Do this:

1. Launch Desktop visualizer
2. Select Action
3. THIS IS THE 1st IMPORTANT PART: select Other
4. Select ASTRO
5. Browse to where the folder you want is listed
6. THIS IS THE 2nd IMPORTANT Part: tap the folder and immediately hit the OK button before it disappears (if you miss it, go Up, then do it again)
7. You should get a popup asking to set a shortcut name -- enter what you like and hit OK
8. Back at the main Desktop Visualizer screen, hit OK
9. Select your Target if prompted

You should now have a folder on your desktop that will open ASTRO to a specific folder. I put two on my desktop to different folders to test it out. They each open different directories.

Is this what was wanted?

KryptoNyte · 12-31-2010, 09:18 PM

First of all, thank you Joker for getting the ball rolling and finding a tool that can achieve this. Secondly, thanks Zartemis for the instructions and little tweaks to take it a bit further.

After (re)installing Astro and Desktop Visualizer, I ran through Zartemis' instructions, launching Desktop Visualizer in step 1. from the app drawer, but no shortcut appeared on the desktop.

I ended up adding a widget to the desktop, a "Desktop Visualizer(1x1 Small SS)" widget, and then launched from step one using that widget (which basically looks like an icon).

I then did the same again, with a second widget/icon, and it, too opens Astro to the correct folder.

It works!

Thank you!

KryptoNyte · 12-31-2010, 09:30 PM

I should probably note that I'm using ADW Launcher with just a single home screen.

The Joker · 01-01-2011, 02:31 PM

Yeah....that's what I did....just didn't type it all out.....I'm still getting used to typing on the NC.....

I still think there is a flaw....For example
I created 2 seperate folders (i.e. "Music" on my SD card and "library books" on my Media)
Created shortcut folders on desktop as listed above
1) When I click on the Music shortcut it takes me there (thru Astro)
2) Go back to home
3) click on the Library Book shortcut, it takes me there (thru Astro)
4) All is good, right....nope
5) Go back home
6) click on the Music shortcut, it takes me to the library books folder thru Astro....

I think there is still a flaw...

ETA....I know I don't need a music folder anyways, since I can create a shortcut to the music app, I was just using that as a test case....

12-31-2010, 01:24 AM	#1
KryptoNyte Shepherd Posts: 313 Karma: 663 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Color, LG Optimus V	Desktop shortcut to folder? Is there a way to create a shortcut on the desktop (home screen) to a folder on the SDcard? When I click and hold the desktop (with ADW Launcher), there is an option for "Folders," but when selected, does nothing. I was hoping to create a folder shortcut to my videos directory ...

12-31-2010, 03:37 AM	#2
The Joker Addict Posts: 205 Karma: 882 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: NookColor.........rooted	Yes....I just created a desktop shortcut to my music folder on my card....press and hold, then use widget (desktop visualizer), then I used Astro to select the music folder....placed it on 1 of the 5 adw desktops ETA.......I can't seem to get the folder option to do anything either though......but it worked with the method listed above Last edited by The Joker; 12-31-2010 at 03:45 AM.

12-31-2010, 01:54 PM	#8
NoName Zealot Posts: 141 Karma: 659536 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hawaii Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, HTC Evo LTE	Get a free app called Folder Organizer from Market. You can assign categories to apps and place a folder on the desktop. Haven't tried it for music though. What with everything else, I haven't found time to put music on my NC. (But seeing as I went off on a trip and forgot both of my iPods at home, I might be forced to grab my music from my phone and transfer it to my NC.) Edit: Just tried to make a folder for videos but it didn't work. Not sure if it would with the paid version. BBut I've been making folders for apps and for that it works. Will think about buying the app. For videos, I got Act 1 Video Player and you can put that on the desktop and it'll open a list of vidoes. Not sure about music. Last edited by NoName; 12-31-2010 at 02:27 PM.

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12-31-2010, 11:49 AM	#3
KryptoNyte Shepherd Posts: 313 Karma: 663 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Color, LG Optimus V	TJ, I'm afraid I don't really follow what you're saying there, but looking at your method, this presents a challenge. There is no file browser built into Android, such as Windows Explorer, so to carry this out, two things have to happen: 1) have an app that can create a shortcut on the desktop to a file browser app 2) have a file browser app (Root explorer, Astro, etc.) that can launch to a folder So the question is, how would one go about creating two shortcuts on the desktop, one that launches a window to the "videos" folder, and one that launches a window to the "music" folder (for example)? It would seem to me that once you setup Astro (or any other file browser) to launch to a specific folder, that any shortcut that launches Astro would launch to only that one folder. If you could elaborate a bit on your instructions please ...

12-31-2010, 12:04 PM	#4
The Joker Addict Posts: 205 Karma: 882 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: NookColor.........rooted	Have you grabbed desktop visualizer from the market....You need this app...,

12-31-2010, 12:07 PM	#5
KryptoNyte Shepherd Posts: 313 Karma: 663 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Color, LG Optimus V	I did ... yes. I am, however, using Root Explorer rather than Astro.

12-31-2010, 12:20 PM	#6
The Joker Addict Posts: 205 Karma: 882 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: NookColor.........rooted	Astro comes up as an option when you are at the select activity portion......thenn u can use astro to navigate to the card folder.......I probably need to get on the computer to explain in more detail....

12-31-2010, 12:22 PM	#7
KryptoNyte Shepherd Posts: 313 Karma: 663 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Color, LG Optimus V	I think I understand, now. So you have Astro's default folder set for the "music" directory.

12-31-2010, 02:53 PM	#10
The Joker Addict Posts: 205 Karma: 882 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: NookColor.........rooted	Ok...,although my method worked....I do see a flaw......if I use astro for something else, navigate to a different folder....it seems to remember that location when I click the desktop'd music folder......another example, I did the same for my library book folder (created desktop shortcut) I guess if I never used astro to navigate anywhere else it would work....... And here I thought I provided my first valid tip

12-31-2010, 02:57 PM	#11
SCION Séduisant Posts: 4,706 Karma: 2107018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas, USA Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6	At least you came back and shared your discovery. You could have tried to sweep it under the rug, in hopes that Krypto wouldn't call you on it. Still worthy of kudos and karma.

12-31-2010, 06:02 PM	#12
zartemis Addict Posts: 283 Karma: 2002 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle3, Kindle2, Nook, NookColor	Actually, I think The Joker is on the right track. You need both desktop visualizer and Astro. Do this: 1. Launch Desktop visualizer 2. Select Action 3. THIS IS THE 1st IMPORTANT PART: select Other 4. Select ASTRO 5. Browse to where the folder you want is listed 6. THIS IS THE 2nd IMPORTANT Part: tap the folder and immediately hit the OK button before it disappears (if you miss it, go Up, then do it again) 7. You should get a popup asking to set a shortcut name -- enter what you like and hit OK 8. Back at the main Desktop Visualizer screen, hit OK 9. Select your Target if prompted You should now have a folder on your desktop that will open ASTRO to a specific folder. I put two on my desktop to different folders to test it out. They each open different directories. Is this what was wanted?

12-31-2010, 09:18 PM	#13
KryptoNyte Shepherd Posts: 313 Karma: 663 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Color, LG Optimus V	First of all, thank you Joker for getting the ball rolling and finding a tool that can achieve this. Secondly, thanks Zartemis for the instructions and little tweaks to take it a bit further. After (re)installing Astro and Desktop Visualizer, I ran through Zartemis' instructions, launching Desktop Visualizer in step 1. from the app drawer, but no shortcut appeared on the desktop. I ended up adding a widget to the desktop, a "Desktop Visualizer(1x1 Small SS)" widget, and then launched from step one using that widget (which basically looks like an icon). I then did the same again, with a second widget/icon, and it, too opens Astro to the correct folder. It works! Thank you!

12-31-2010, 09:30 PM	#14
KryptoNyte Shepherd Posts: 313 Karma: 663 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Color, LG Optimus V	I should probably note that I'm using ADW Launcher with just a single home screen.

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01-01-2011, 02:31 PM	#15
The Joker Addict Posts: 205 Karma: 882 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: NookColor.........rooted	Yeah....that's what I did....just didn't type it all out.....I'm still getting used to typing on the NC..... I still think there is a flaw....For example I created 2 seperate folders (i.e. "Music" on my SD card and "library books" on my Media) Created shortcut folders on desktop as listed above 1) When I click on the Music shortcut it takes me there (thru Astro) 2) Go back to home 3) click on the Library Book shortcut, it takes me there (thru Astro) 4) All is good, right....nope 5) Go back home 6) click on the Music shortcut, it takes me to the library books folder thru Astro.... I think there is still a flaw... ETA....I know I don't need a music folder anyways, since I can create a shortcut to the music app, I was just using that as a test case....