Folder Options - Enable or Disable

INFO: This will show you how to Remove (Disable) or Show (Enable) the Folder Options item from all Windows Explorer menus and from the Control Panel for all user accounts on the computer.

WARNING: This is known to have sometimes been disabled by a virus, so do a thorough scan with your antivirus program to be safe.

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Open and Change Search Options

2. How to Open and Change Folder Options in Vista

3. How to Add or Remove the Hidden Files and Folders Option in Vista


EXAMPLE: Before (Enabled) and After (Disabled)
Explorer_Before.jpgExplorer_After.jpg

CP_Before.jpgCP_After.jpg

Explorer2_Before.jpgExplorer2_After.jpg


METHOD ONE:
Through the Local Group Policy Editor :
NOTE: This is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise versions. See Method Two below for Vista Home Basic and Home Premium versions.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. Click Continue for the UAC prompt.
4. In the left pane, click on User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Explorer
(See screenshot below)
5. In the right pane, right click on Removes the Folder Options menu from the Tools Menu and click Properties.

Group_Policy.jpg

6. To Enable Folder Options -
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click OK. (See screenshot below)

7. To Disable Folder Options -
A) Dot Enabled and click OK.

Properties.jpg

8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.


METHOD TWO:
Through the Registry :
NOTE: This will work for all Vista versions.
Through a Download:
1. To Enable Folder Options -
A) Enable_Folder_Options.reg < Click To Download

2. To Disable Folder Options -
A) Disable_Folder_Options.reg < Click To Download

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. Logoff and logon or restart the computer to apply the changes.
8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NOTE: If Explorer is not there, then right click on Policies in the left pane and click New -> Key and type Explorer and press
Enter.

Explorer_Reg.jpg

5. To Disable Folder Options -
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot below)
B) Type NoFolderOptions and press Enter.
C) Right click on NoFolderOptions and click Modify.

NoFolderOptions_Reg.jpg

D) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)

Modify_NoFolderOptions.jpg

6. To Enable Folder Options -
A) In the right pane, right click on NoFolderOptions and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 5C)
B) Click Yes to confirm delete.
C) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
D) In the right pane, repeat steps 6A and 6B if NoFolderOptions is there to.

HKLM_Reg.jpg

7. Close regedit.
8. Logoff and logon or restart the computer to apply the changes.


That's it's,
Shawn