Can't "select all" in Windows Explorer

[Guest]

I can no longer do the "select all" function in Windows Explorer. It's
grayed out. Also, If I select a file and then do a Shift-select to choose
multiple files, it doesn't work. I can only select one file at a time.

I've been playing around trying to get Windows Explorer to default to the
look that I want, namely, details with all the column headings that I want.
So I have done multiple Tools/Folder Options changes and have selected "Apply
to all folders" multiple times.

So... thinking that I must have done something to mess up a primary
functeion of windows, I tried using System Restore to a point prior to when I
began trying to optimize my system to do what I want. It hasn't returned my
system to the previous state.

How can I get the "Select All" function back? What did I do?

I've tried using windows HELP and it just returns an explaination of what I
used to be able to do (e.g., do an alt-select-all) which no longer works.

 

[Guest]

Hi, Lee:

Your problem may occur when a folder incorrectly gets the FWF_SINGLESEL flag
(http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms649291.aspx).

Folder flags are stored in this registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags. If you don't mind losing all
folder customizations you've made so far, simply delete the registry key I
mentioned before and open Windows Explorer again to see the results.

 

[Guest]

Daniel - Thanks. You put me on the right track.

I tried using regedit and got to the shell\bags folder that you (and your
specified URL) suggested. However, there was nothing that looked like the
list in the URL. I got several hundred numbered folders instead. I did a
search for FWF_SINGLESEL and the registry search engine couldn't find it. I
did a google search for FWF_SINGLESEL and found a script that was offered at
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-file-management/48994-cant-select-multiple-files-my-computer.html.
I downloaded the script, ran it, and it fixed the problem. I still don't
know why my Bags folder doesn't look like what was specified. I may look
more into this in the futhre. I'm running vista 32 home premium.

Thanks again for your help