Folders Opening in a Command Prompt Window

[RJ]

My XP Pro SP2 PC is now doing something rather strange.
Instead of open a folder in Windows Explorer, it opens
a command prompt window, to the path of the folder, when the folder
icon is clicked.

This only happens if I click on a folder in the right pane
of Windows Explorer. Clicking on a folder in the left pane
opens the folder in the right pane, as it should.
I have the same problem with any shortcuts to folders on
my Desktop. Instead of opening the folder, it opens
a commnad prompt with the path to the folder.

I know this has something to do with the File Types tab.
If you click Tools, Folder Options, in Windows Explorer. However, when
I go into the Advanced properties of "File Folder", I can
only Add, I can't Edit or Remove. And yes, I am logged on as a member of
the Admins group.

How do I fix this? Can it be done through the registry?

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Hi RJ,

You might want to re-register the shell32.dll file. This can be done by typing the following at
Start/Run and pressing enter:

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

Hope this helps.

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org

In memory of Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/nichol.mspx

Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Fixes the problem where Search or Command Prompt opens
when double clicking a folder © Doug Knox
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_folder_open.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[RJ]

Thanks very much! That fixed it.

Fixes the problem where Search or Command Prompt opens
when double clicking a folder © Doug Knox
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_folder_open.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[RJ]

Thanks. I downloaded the Doug Knox vbscript (next post), and
it basically re-registered shell32.dll.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Glad to hear it. Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

This problem occurs when you alter the "Drive" / "File Folders" entries via
File Types dialog, to add a "Command Prompt here" or "Print Directory"
feature for folders. (example)

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321379
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321186

Resolution:

Click Start/Run and type this command to fix this problem:
(Tip from David Candy)

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

-or-

To fix this manually via registry:

If this problem is seen for Drives:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
Set (default) to "none" (without ")

If this problem is seen for folders:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
Set (default) to "none" (without ")

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

 

[RJ]

Thanks for more good info!

This problem occurs when you alter the "Drive" / "File Folders" entries via File Types dialog, to
add a "Command Prompt here" or "Print Directory" feature for folders. (example)

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321379
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321186

Resolution:

Click Start/Run and type this command to fix this problem:
(Tip from David Candy)

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

-or-

To fix this manually via registry:

If this problem is seen for Drives:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
Set (default) to "none" (without ")

If this problem is seen for folders:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
Set (default) to "none" (without ")

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

My XP Pro SP2 PC is now doing something rather strange.
Instead of open a folder in Windows Explorer, it opens
a command prompt window, to the path of the folder, when the folder
icon is clicked.

This only happens if I click on a folder in the right pane
of Windows Explorer. Clicking on a folder in the left pane
opens the folder in the right pane, as it should.
I have the same problem with any shortcuts to folders on
my Desktop. Instead of opening the folder, it opens
a commnad prompt with the path to the folder.

I know this has something to do with the File Types tab.
If you click Tools, Folder Options, in Windows Explorer. However, when
I go into the Advanced properties of "File Folder", I can
only Add, I can't Edit or Remove. And yes, I am logged on as a member of
the Admins group.

How do I fix this? Can it be done through the registry?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome RJ.

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

Thanks for more good info!

This problem occurs when you alter the "Drive" / "File Folders" entries
via File Types dialog, to add a "Command Prompt here" or "Print
Directory" feature for folders. (example)

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321379
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321186

Resolution:

Click Start/Run and type this command to fix this problem:
(Tip from David Candy)

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

-or-

To fix this manually via registry:

If this problem is seen for Drives:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
Set (default) to "none" (without ")

If this problem is seen for folders:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
Set (default) to "none" (without ")