Member Avatar for Charles21

I have been using Win XP for a couple of months now, having returned to PCs after 4 years of using an Apple Mac!
When I click on a folder to open it, it opens in a new window. Any folders in that one also open in a new window. I cannot seem to change this behaviour, despite changing tools/folder options for the windows, and in control panel.
Clicking to go up a level DOES keep it in the same window, but then clicking on the folder again opens it in a new window! The only way I can prevent a new window opening is to right click on a folder & select open.
Possibly related, I also had a problem recently with all folders opening into a search window - I solved this by going into control panel/folder options. The file type was set to 'find' in Advanced settings. I had to add a new item, browse (and select explorer) , and set it to the default. However, it won't let me edit or remove 'find' or 'browse' - nor indeed any of the file type options at all (I am logged in as the owner, and am the only user of the PC). (SP2 has been installed from the start.)
Any suggestions will be greatfully received, as it's driving me nuts!!!

  • 12 Contributors
  • 21 Replies
  • 380 Views
  • 3 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by ritab

Recommended Answers

All 21 Replies

Member Avatar for OurNation

Did you try in a folder click on Tools->Folder Options then click the view tab and is launch folder in a differnt process checked?

Member Avatar for Charles21

Did you try in a folder click on Tools->Folder Options then click the view tab and is launch folder in a differnt process checked?

Thanks for the suggestion - I've checked, and launch folder in a different process is unchecked. I've tried playing around with these options, but the problem remains! Maybe if I keep trying I'll eventually sort it out!
Best wishes for Christmas.

Member Avatar for caperjack

Thanks for the suggestion - I've checked, and launch folder in a different process is unchecked. I've tried playing around with these options, but the problem remains! Maybe if I keep trying I'll eventually sort it out!
Best wishes for Christmas.

So are you saying the browse folder, section is set like mine to open within the same window .see attached picture

tools.jpg 46.88 KB
Member Avatar for Charles21

So are you saying the browse folder, section is set like mine to open within the same window .see attached picture

I'm afraid so!
I even trying backing up to a restore point before it was happening, but that didn't reset it.

Member Avatar for caperjack

This problem could occur because of Spyware , go on over to the Security section of this fourm and post you problem along with a hijackthis log .
Spyware & Trojans and Other Nasties
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Please Don't post the hijackthis log in this section Thanks .
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Please do this.
Download 'Hijack This!'. HijackThis
Save it in a convenient permanent folder such as C:\HJT\, double click HijackThis.exe, and hit "Scan".

Your copy of HijackThis needs to be in a folder of it's own. When HJT fixes anything, it makes backups of the original files in the folder it is in. Since Temporary folders are emptied now and then (the files are DELETED), it would not be a good idea to have your backups there. Those backups would be VITAL to restoring your system if something went wrong in the FIX process!


1. Please go to you're 'My Documents' folder, right-click and select 'New > Folder' then name the folder 'HJT'.

2. Copy and paste HijackThis.exe to the new folder.

3. Close ALL windows except HJT

4. SCAN with HJT

5. POST the new log in this thread using 'Add Reply'

DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES OR CLICK "FIX CHECKED" UNTIL WE CHECK THE LOG, AS SOME OF THE FILES ARE LEGIT AND VITAL TO YOUR COMPUTER'S HEALTH

Member Avatar for Charles21

Thank you for your suggestions.

I have just done a scan with Hijack This, and posted the original message & the log in he Security section. (I also have McAfee security suite, and Adaware installed.)

Member Avatar for mikeSQL

Hmm, well I tried this and I get a popup , then it closes. So no, it dont work.
Looks like a little nice program too.

Member Avatar for ProposalTeam

I am having the identical problem Charles 21 described and I have also confirm all folder option settings are correct. Did anyone figure out the solution short of re-installing Win XP?

Member Avatar for Charles21

No, I received an email telling me my HijackThis log seemed to have been overlooked on the security pages!
It may be just a coincidence, but I also ran Spyware Blaster and had more strange problems - Firefox would occasionally pause when downloading a file, and the download would not start. Trying to load any webpage/site after this would simply result in a blank window with 'Done' in the status bar. Closing and reopening Firefox didn't cure it - and trying IE produced the same results (a blank window). The only cure was a reboot.
I couldn't figure out what was causing it (even reinstalling Firefox made no difference, though the same downloads worked in IE if I didn't try them in Firefox first) so I bit the bullet and reinstalled XP.
Since I did, the Explorer problem and Firefox problems have gone away ('hope I'm not tempting fate here!).

Member Avatar for ProposalTeam

Re-installing Win XP was what I have been told to do by a systems tech. But not what I want to do. Might not have a choice unless I find a Registry Ediiting Expert, I guess I will be frustrated for awhile longer.

Thanks for replying.

Member Avatar for caperjack

First let me say Im sorry to Charles21 that i missed you hijacklog back when you posted it ,a quick look at it now ,it doesent look bad .
Anyway instead of reinstall of XP ,why not try a repair install ,or just A System file check.
Go to Start /Run type in SFC /SCANNOW

Member Avatar for ProposalTeam

Hello,

I have received a response from www.protonic.com (another forum) to fix the folder issue. It is a windows registry item. The details are in the attached file if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the attempt to help me resolve.

'coldfinger' has answered your protonic.com question:

Hello Peter 

Thank you for contacting protonic.com. My name is Peter and one of my functions at protonic.com is to review questions which have not received a prompt answer.  The usual reason for this is that our techs feel that they cannot offer a full solution to the problem.  Since we are all voluntary and have different experience, it sometimes happens that the tech who can answer this type of question is not available when you need the answer.

Rather than send you a "sorry we cannot help you..." type note we try to give you some information that could guide you toward a solution.  

You should be able to cure this with a registry edit. 

Close all folder and browser windows.  I strongly suggest that you backup the registry now using the method I describe below. 

Click Start > Run. (A Run dialog box will now appear) 
Type Regedit, click OK. (Registry Editor will open) 
Click the Registry > click Export Registry File 

In the Export Registry File dialog box put these values: 
Save in: Desktop 
File name: Registry Backup 
Save as type: Registration Files 
Export range: All 

Click Save then close the the Registry Editor. 

You should now have an icon labelled "Registry Backup.reg" on the desktop. If things go wrong then you can restore your registry by double clicking on this icon. If everything goes OK then you can delete it. 

Now do the following 

Start > Run > Regedit 

Click the + signs next to 

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
+Directory
Shell

In the right hand pane the default value should be "None".  Double click on the Default in the right hand pane and type NONE in the data box. (Use no quotation marks when you make the entry)

Click OK, and exit the registry editor

Done!

If you wish to contact me regarding this question, please feel free to reply to this e-mail putting  tracking code 149847  in the Subject line of your email (or your email may be deleted by a spam filter).  Please take out a new ticket for any other questions you have.

Peter Costello - Administration
coldfinger@protonic.com
http://www.protonic.com

If YOUR PROBLEM remains UNSOLVED or you need additional information, please REPLY to this message to continue to correspond with coldfinger.

If 'coldfinger' SOLVED your problem, you can help us by:

*... Rating our service at this link:
http://www.protonic.com/rate.php?ID=149847&code=ikr8g

*... Volunteering to be a support Technician. Visit:
 http://www.protonic.com/volunteer.php to apply!

*... Spreading the word about us at:
http://www.protonic.com/tellafriend.php

*... Signing up for our newsletter at:
http://www.protonic.com/newsletter/subscribe.html

*... Helping us operate by making a DONATION at:
http://www.protonic.com/donate.php


Ticket Information:
*** Win XP - Explorer Window Opening Problem ***
When I click on a folder to open it, it opens in a new window. Any folders in that one also open in a new window. I cannot seem to change this behaviour, despite changing tools/folder options for the windows, and in control panel.
Clicking to go up a level DOES keep it in the same window, but then clicking on the folder again opens it in a new window! The only way I can prevent a new window opening is to right click on a folder & select open.
Possibly related, I also had a problem recently with all folders opening into a search window - I solved this by going into control panel/folder options. The file type was set to 'find' in Advanced settings. I had to add a new item, browse (and select explorer) , and set it to the default. However, it won't let me edit or remove 'find' or 'browse' - nor indeed any of the file type options at all (I am logged in as the owner, and am the only user of the PC). (SP2 has been installed from the start.)
Any suggestions will be greatfully received, as it's driving me nuts!!!


**** NOTICE ****

INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT.

All content included on the site protonic.com, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, HTML and software code (collectively, the "Content"), and the arrangement thereof, including   the content of email correspondence entered into under and from the protonic.com  domain, is the property of protonic.com and protected by the laws of the United States of America and international copyright laws. Except as otherwise noted on the Site, you are hereby authorized to view, download, cache and print the Content solely for your personal use and not for resale or further distribution. No other use, including the reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, display, or performance, of the Content is allowed without the express prior written permission of protonic.com.

The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This document may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1) All text must be copied without modification and all pages must be included; 2) All copies must contain protonic.com's copyright notice and any other notices provided therein; and 3) This document may not be distributed for profit. All trademarks acknowledged. Copyright protonic.com, 1996-2005.
Member Avatar for Charles21

Hello,

I have received a response from www.protonic.com (another forum) to fix the folder issue. It is a windows registry item. The details are in the attached file if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the attempt to help me resolve.

Thank you for sharing this - I'll certainly try it if the problem comes back!

Member Avatar for ahusamud

:confused: Tried that as well, and diddnt fix the issue either, Windows explorer still opens folders in a seperate window. :cry:

Member Avatar for ckmajor

Hello,

I have received a response from www.protonic.com (another forum) to fix the folder issue. It is a windows registry item. The details are in the attached file if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the attempt to help me resolve.

This hack works. Thanks a lot.

Member Avatar for profcw

Can someone help me install websites in a folder to use in FIrefox? I can't seem to understand how to do that.
many thanks
cw

Member Avatar for caperjack

Can someone help me install websites in a folder to use in FIrefox? I can't seem to understand how to do that.
many thanks
cw

for best help results you should creat a new thread with you problem and you should make yoursel a littler clearer as to what you mean ,as im not sure what you mean by install websites in a folder ,what are u trying to accomplish .

Member Avatar for Khorps

Hello,

I have received a response from www.protonic.com (another forum) to fix the folder issue. It is a windows registry item. The details are in the attached file if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the attempt to help me resolve.

Awesome! It fixed a coworker's machine. Was worth registering to get the answer.

... and now I know a trick to play on "That guy who's always pissing me off".

Member Avatar for danimoth1996

:confused: Tried that as well, and diddnt fix the issue either, Windows explorer still opens folders in a seperate window. :cry:

I'm having the same problem, tried everything, but the problem remains.
The problem appeared after trying to modify the default icon of "File Folder" through Folder Options->File Types.

Help!

Member Avatar for Bertrum

Hello,

I have received a response from www.protonic.com (another forum) to fix the folder issue. It is a windows registry item. The details are in the attached file if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the attempt to help me resolve.

This fix can also be found at the Microsoft support site under an entry about the search companion launching when clicking a folder. I seem to remember an earlier version of this fix suggested that it may not be the search companion that got launched, but other odd behaviour as well. The solution includes a description of what causes the problem which may be of use.

Microsoft Kbase article

Member Avatar for ritab

Hello,

I have received a response from www.protonic.com (another forum) to fix the folder issue. It is a windows registry item. The details are in the attached file if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the attempt to help me resolve.

Roman candles that burn in the night,
Yeah, you are a shining light.


Man, i had the same problem and it was driving me nuts!!
I specially joined this forum for this. And your solution worked. Awesome.
you are my hero! Proposal team rocks.
:-)

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.