Member Avatar for rizla115

hello
i have been using windows xp for a very long time and this is the first time that this problem has appeared.

when i double click on a folder in windows xp, it either opens the folder within a new windows, even though in the folder options i have set it to open within the same window and sometimes when double clicking the folder the search window appears.

i belive this has something to do with the files types in the folder options but i am not sure what it is.

please can you help me

thank you

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Jokeritu

Dani AI

Generated

This is a common Windows XP/2000 quirk: the folder/drive “default verb” in the registry gets changed so the Search companion becomes the action for a double‑click. @Stein’s mouse check and ’s Folder Options reset are good first steps, and ’s File Types approach fixes many cases. When those don’t, repairing the registry verbs (and re‑registering shell32) is the usual, reliable fix.

Create a small registry file to restore the usual defaults (backup the registry or make a System Restore point first). Save the following exactly as FixFolderOpen.reg and double‑click to import:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
@="none"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell]
@="none"

After importing, run this from Start -> Run (or a command prompt), then reboot:

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

Many community and MVP writeups recommend those two steps as the safe corrective actions. (cambiaresearch.com)

If the problem remains, inspect HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell in Regedit: the (Default) value should be blank/unset (delete the default string if one exists). Also re‑check the File Types edits mentioned (that step often introduces the change). If the registry keeps reverting, run a full antivirus/malware scan and sfc /scannow or consider a repair install. Editing the registry is low‑level — proceed only after backing up and, if unsure, get a second opinion. (forums.tomshardware.com)

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Member Avatar for 'Stein

Several things to check out.

1) Any chance your mouse is faulty?

2) You might want to check out your mouse's settings and be sure double-clicking is possible. Oftentimes, variables such as speed and such make it nearly impossilbe to do.

Thanks.

Member Avatar for rizla115

my mouse settings are perfectly fine

the folders don't open like they normally do but instead it opens the search feature by default as if i right-clicked the folder and selected search.

Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

Control Panel > Folder Options

on General Tab > Restore Defaults

on View Tab > Reset all folders

Any help

BTW if anyone saw my earlier attempts, sorry, I messed up.

Member Avatar for JamminJodi

Control Panel > Folder Options

on General Tab > Restore Defaults

on View Tab > Reset all folders

Any help

BTW if anyone saw my earlier attempts, sorry, I messed up.

I see this msg. is old, I run into same prob. when it opens, it opens in search mode. Tried everything I know of! How did you, (OR did you?) fix it?

Member Avatar for Jokeritu

For Windows XP

Go to Control Panel -------> Folder Options --------> File Type

Choose "Folder" from the list, then click to "Advanced". There look for explore. If you cannot find it choose "New". Write "explore" to first blank field without quotation marks. Write explorer.exe to second blank field. Then click OK. Be sure explore is on top, if not make it Default. Then OK, OK, OK........... (if "Folder" is not damaged, try "File Folder")

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