Windows 7 Explorer

Windows 7 Explorer is much less forgiving than Windows XP Explorer. So much so that I use xPlorer2 (zabkat.com). It will do what you want and when done you can save the specific settings.

" Is there a way to have multiple windows on the desktop of different size and shape.  Some skinny some wider some taller, etc."

You can change the size of each window individually by dragging  the windows sides in or out / top or bottom up or down.
Note that any new window opened will default to the last closed window's same size.

To force Windows to remember the size of a window and set it to be the default size for that particular program each time it's opened, first re-size the window to your preferred size, then press and hold the CTRL key and click the red X to close it.
That program should use your set size as the default size until changed.

For more info. read: answers.microsoft.com - ( addresses Internet Explorer 8 but works for all programs in Windows 7 )
Link:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie8-windows_vista/how-do-i-make-the-default-window-size-open-to/a6261690-88e9-47ab-befb-f2cef12f2601

Michael-Best
I tried your suggestion but it doesn't work for me.  Once I resize the window and close it using the control key, it saves it to that size but all subsequent folders open to that size.  That is no different than what I have now.  In other words your suggestion doesn't work for me.  I wish it did.

John
I am going to download the program you suggested.  Once installed does it take the place of Explorer?

There is an option on xPlorer2 to make it default  explorer. I use both but use xPlorer2 90% of the time.

camtz - I use Windows as it is for the most part, but I am picky about some things and this is one of them.

"To force Windows to remember the size of a window and set it to be the default size for that particular program each time it's opened"
You need to do this for each individual program excluding explorer eg. word, etc.
New searches / windows in explorer will always open with the same size window as the last window closed in explorer.

John, I downloaded your program but it seems so complicated.  Look at screen shot one and what you see is a lot of unwanted information on the left hand side as well as the bottom.  Screen shot two is what I am looking for.  A very simple window showing only the contents of that window.  Can this program do this?
Carlos

Here is my setup

Many thanks, I will play with it to see if it will work for me

@camtz - Thanks and good luck with xPlorer2. It is very configurable and I like it a lot.