Stop Windows Explorer from expanding the folder tree:

Tired of Windows XP Explorer's hard-drive tree be expanded by default?

Right click on Windows XP Explorer and select "properties" then select the "shortcut" tab.

Change the target line to this (cut and paste):

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n,/e,C:\,/select

Nice and easy. Now your hard-drive tree should be collapsed and easier to navigate