File explorer

[DPaul]

Hi,
In a win11 python 10.x environment, I can start the file explorer from within python like so:

import os
def show_explorer(path):  
    os.startfile(path)
show_explorer(os.path.abspath("c:/windows/explorer.exe"))

Almost what I want. I would like it to open on a specific directory outside python.
Why?
The setup: inside python resides a tree and each extremity is a directory.
I want to click on a tree node, automatically navigate to the directory and manipulate it. (paste a pdf, click on a pdf, view a pic...etc)
If I do this inside tKinter, I cannot manipulate the directory.
Can this be done?
thx,
Paul

[DeaD_EyE]

You can use different kinds of filedialog with tkinter.

There are different types of filedialog:

• filedialog which returns a str to a file or directory
  
• filedialog which returns a list with str
  
• filedialog which returns an open FileObject
  
• filedialog which returns a list with open FileObjects
  

You should also read this: dialog.html#module-tkinter.filedialog

Demo Code:

from io import IOBase
from pathlib import Path
from tkinter import Tk
from tkinter.filedialog import (
    askdirectory,
    askopenfile,
    askopenfilename,
    askopenfilenames,
    askopenfiles,
    asksaveasfile,
    asksaveasfilename,
)
from tkinter.messagebox import showinfo

dialog_functions = (
    askdirectory,
    askopenfile,
    askopenfilename,
    askopenfilenames,
    askopenfiles,
    asksaveasfile,
    asksaveasfilename,
)

file_types = (
    ("text files", "*.txt"),
    ("video files", ["*.mp4", "*.mkv", "*.avi"]),
    ("All files", "*.*"),
)

showinfo(
    "Info",
    "Visit https://docs.python.org/3/library/dialog.html#module-tkinter.filedialog",
)

for func in dialog_functions:
    # directory has no filetypes
    title = f"{func.__name__}: {func.__doc__}"
    if "directory" in func.__name__:
        ret_val = func(
            title=title,
            initialdir=Path.home().joinpath("Downloads"),
        )
    else:
        # it's a file dialog, so it knows filetypes
        ret_val = func(
            title=title,
            initialdir=Path.home().joinpath("Downloads"),
            filetypes=file_types,
        )

    showinfo("Title", f"Return value of {func.__name__}\n\n{ret_val}")
    # closing the FileObject if it's an instance of FileObject
    if isinstance(ret_val, IOBase):
        ret_val.close()
        showinfo("File closed", f"The file '{ret_val.name}' has been closed.")
    elif isinstance(ret_val, list):
        for file_obj in ret_val:
            if isinstance(file_obj, IOBase):
                file_obj.close()
        showinfo("Files closed", "The files has been closed")

[DPaul]

dear DeaD_EyE,

I am familiar with the tKinter filedialogs.
All I need is to add some parameter to this line:

show_explorer(os.path.abspath("c:/windows/explorer.exe"))

So that it goes to a specific dir.
I do not need a filedialog to search for it, i know the one I want.
But maybe that is impossible.
Thx,
Paul

[Gribouillis]

But maybe that is impossible.

You could probably start the explorer with the subprocess module and convenient arguments. Use this page for the syntax of the arguments.

Also I don't use Windows but I heard it is getting rid of Internet Explorer. Upgrade to Linux.

[DeaD_EyE]

Don't use os.startfile nor os.system for this.

from subprocess import Popen


def select_object(path):
    return Popen(["explorer.exe", f"/select,{path}"])



if __name__ == "__main__":
    select_object(r"C:\Users")

If you want more control: https://www.apriorit.com/dev-blog/727-wi...ith-python
(I don't read this, because I'm a Linux user, I don't care much about Windows)

[DPaul]

Don't use os.startfile nor os.system for this.

Bingo! It works!
thx,
Paul

[DPaul]

Also I don't use Windows but I heard it is getting rid of Internet Explorer. Upgrade to Linux.

Really ?
When the animals still could speak, some people were already telling me "Unix is the future!"
Now it's linux.
I'll give you this: I regret DOS. It was wonderful.
Paul

[Gribouillis]

I regret DOS. It was wonderful.

I understand that, DOS was not yet a spyware!

[DeaD_EyE]

Windows is actually quite ok, if there is no built-in spyware.

The other problem with Windows 11 is the coming loss of control.
Soon, Windows will be like the Google Play Store.
Application violates against policy => will be automatically deleted.
You won't be able to install applications the traditional way in a few years.
Only from the MS App Store.


I don't expect Microsoft to exist in its current form in the future.
We will see.

[DPaul]

OK guys, I was only joking.
For those who remember, I had a brief encounter with OS/2.
Made unix look attractive for a moment.
Luckily "windows for workgroups" came along.
Everybodu happy.
Paul