What are some fast methods for navigating to frequently used folders in Windows 7?

"I use Autohotkey for a magnitude of things, navigation to my frequently visited folders being one of them.

The language can get quite complicated, but when doing basic things like this, it's fairly straightforward on how to add new hotkeys.

Example, open your Windows directory:

^!w::Run C:\WINDOWS

this would allow me to open explorer to C:\Windows by pressing Ctrl + Alt + w. You can make a multitude of these, just make a duplicate line in your AHK script and modify the hotkey sequence and directory:

^!w::Run C:\WINDOWS
^!s::Run C:\WINDOWS\System32
^0::Run C:\

A great overview of how to make hotkeys is here in the Hotkey Documentation. Feel free to email me for any extended discussion on AHK, if you don't feel like posting a bunch of questions!"

"An alternative to Direct Folders is Folder Guide which is very good - it's simple to use and I haven't had any trouble with it. It uses about 7MB on my system. Simply right-click in Explorer or a fileselector and up it pops.

I also find Launchy useful too (which I've got indexing a directory of shortcuts to various things including other directories)."

"One thing that I find reduced my needs for such shortcuts repository is that the search has much improved since XP. I have a bunch of frequently accessed folders added to the library or simply indexed, and I often just type a word or two to get something I'm looking for or its location. Even shortcut systems usually point to a location where you'll still need to find your file.

Although it does not eliminate the need for other nagivation methods, it did reduce the list substantially for me.

That said, the search is still infuriating at times. There's no easy way to duplicate a search in a new window, in some cases navigating them is a pain (e.g. SearchResults\subfolder instead of D:\folder\Subfolder), and you still need your mouse a lot."

"Im using Total Commander. I thoroughly enjoy split windows and multiple tabs (CTRL + Tab) with a dozen of open folders. The Directory Hotlist (CTRL + C) serves me well too.

Windows Explorer, no matter what 'enhancements' i have tried, just doesn't cut it for me."

7stacks is perfect for the task. That's what I use it for.