Windows Explorer - Open and Explore actions help

[Guest]

Hi,
I need help in restoring my Windows Explorer to its default setting.

Currently, when I press 'WinKey + E', explorer opens up with the Folders
tree on the left. When I double click a folder, it opens in the same window.
But if I hide the Folders tree on the left and then double-click a folder, it
opens a new explorer window with the Folders tree visible (explore mode)
I have not specified a default action to the Folder filetype.
My HKCR\Folder\shell key contains (Default) set to "none"
There are two keys under this - explore and open.
Since there is no default, it is taking the first one (explore, in this
case) as default.

My HKCR\Directory\shell key contains (Default) also set to "none"
It however contains only one key "find" under it.

If I manually specify 'open' to be the default action in Folder Options,
a double click on any folder with the Folders tree on the left, opens a New
Window while a double click on any folder without the Folders tree opens the
folder in the same window. This is obvious since my default action is 'open'.

What I need is that - explorer should decide whether Explore or Open is the
default action based on the Folders tree on the left. If the Folders tree is
present, Explore should be the default action and if the tree is absent, Open
should be the default action. Basically, I want the double-clicked folder to
be opened in the same window irrespective of the Folders tree on the left.
My system used to work in this way earlier but I do not know why it stopped
now.
I searched for the whole of yesterday but couldn't find any resolution
matching my requirement. Sorry if I missed out any such solution.

Can anyone help me to get this behaviour back?

Thanks,
Satish.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

In this key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell

Right-click (default) and choose "Delete"

It should read "Value not set", instead of the word "none"

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Hi,
I need help in restoring my Windows Explorer to its default setting.

Currently, when I press 'WinKey + E', explorer opens up with the Folders
tree on the left. When I double click a folder, it opens in the same window.
But if I hide the Folders tree on the left and then double-click a folder, it
opens a new explorer window with the Folders tree visible (explore mode)
I have not specified a default action to the Folder filetype.
My HKCR\Folder\shell key contains (Default) set to "none"
There are two keys under this - explore and open.
Since there is no default, it is taking the first one (explore, in this
case) as default.

My HKCR\Directory\shell key contains (Default) also set to "none"
It however contains only one key "find" under it.

If I manually specify 'open' to be the default action in Folder Options,
a double click on any folder with the Folders tree on the left, opens a New
Window while a double click on any folder without the Folders tree opens the
folder in the same window. This is obvious since my default action is 'open'.

What I need is that - explorer should decide whether Explore or Open is the
default action based on the Folders tree on the left. If the Folders tree is
present, Explore should be the default action and if the tree is absent, Open
should be the default action. Basically, I want the double-clicked folder to
be opened in the same window irrespective of the Folders tree on the left.
My system used to work in this way earlier but I do not know why it stopped
now.
I searched for the whole of yesterday but couldn't find any resolution
matching my requirement. Sorry if I missed out any such solution.

Can anyone help me to get this behaviour back?

Thanks,
Satish.

 

[Guest]

Hi Ramesh,
I have seen in the newsgroup while searching yesterday and noticed that you
were responsible for most no.of resolutions here. Was honestly expecting you
to resolve mine as well.
And you surely lived up to my expectations.. your solution worked like a
charm.
Kudos to you !

Just one more tip please - any idea of how to open explorer without the
Folders tree (with winKey + E shortcut). Currently the WinKey + E combination
opens up my explorer with the Folders tree.

Thank you very much for your solution
Satish

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Satish.

Check this article. See the "Known issue" section as well.

How to open folder in single pane when using the "Winkey + E" combination?:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/winkeye.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Hi Ramesh,
I have seen in the newsgroup while searching yesterday and noticed that you
were responsible for most no.of resolutions here. Was honestly expecting you
to resolve mine as well.
And you surely lived up to my expectations.. your solution worked like a
charm.
Kudos to you !

Just one more tip please - any idea of how to open explorer without the
Folders tree (with winKey + E shortcut). Currently the WinKey + E combination
opens up my explorer with the Folders tree.

Thank you very much for your solution
Satish

In this key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell

Right-click (default) and choose "Delete"

It should read "Value not set", instead of the word "none"

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com