Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window

**Brink**

How to Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window in Vista

INFO: You can choose to have a folder in a Windows Explorer window to open in the same window or in a separate window when you click on it.

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OPTION ONE:
Temporarily Open Folder in Same or Separate Window :
NOTE: Explore (same window) is the default action. To change the default to Explore or Open, see OPTION TWO below for how.

1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
2. Open Folder Options and turn on the Navigation Pane.
NOTE: For how, see: How to Turn the Navigation Pane On or Off in Vista

3. Right click on a folder. (See screenshot below)

4. To Open the Folder in the Same Window -
A) Click on Explore.
NOTE: If Open is bolded, then turn on the Navigation Pane from step 2. You can also just click or double click on the folder to open it in the same window.

5. To Open the Folder in a Separate New Window -
A) Click on Open.

Right_Click.jpg

OPTION TWO:
Always Open Folder in Same or Separate Window :
NOTE: Open in the Same Window (Explore) is the default setting. This will show you how to have Explore or Open set as the default for OPTION ONE above.

1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
2. Open Folder Options.
NOTE: See: How to Open and Change Folder Options in Vista

3. To Always Open the Folder in the Same Window -
A) Dot Open each folder in the same window. (See screenshot below step 4)
B) Click OK.

4. To Always Open the Folder in a Separate New Window -
A) Dot Open each folder in its own window. (See screenshot below)
B) Click OK.
C) Turn off the Navigation Pane in the Windows Explorer window.
WARNING: This will not work unless you do. See: How to Turn the Navigation Pane On or Off in Vista

Folder_Options.jpg

5. Close the Windows Explorer window when done.

That's it,
Shawn

apellizzaro · 13 Hours Ago

Thanks for the post. I have this weird problem, where no matter which option I choose, it always opens the folder in its own window when I double click on the folder. If I use the "right click->Explore" then it opens in the the same window. Somwhow, something is overriding the "Open each folder in the same window" settings. Any idea?
Thanks
-Antonio

**Brink** · 12 Hours Ago

Hi Antonio,

Is the Navigation Pane turned off in the Windows Explorer window that always opens in a separate window by just clicking on it?

Hope this helps,
Shawn

apellizzaro · 12 Hours Ago

No matter if the navigation pane is on or off, when I double click, it always perfomrs an "open" i.e. opens a new window. If I click on the navigation pane,then a new window does NOT open.
Thanks for your help, our IT guy were not able to figure it out

**Brink** · 12 Hours Ago

Antonio,

Try toggling the settings back to using the Always Open in the same window with the Navigation Pane on, then restarting the computer. Sometimes toggling the settings will reset them and allow them to work properly again.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

apellizzaro · 11 Hours Ago

No Luck. I was hoping someone could point me to some registry settings to change/verify...
Thanks
-Antonio

**Brink** · 11 Hours Ago

Sorry Antonio, I do not know where the location is for this. You might post this in the General Discussion forum also to see if any of the other members may know by chance.

Hope you get a solution soon other than anything drastic.

Shawn

13 Hours Ago
apellizzaro Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 x64 Posts: 3	Re: Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window Thanks for the post. I have this weird problem, where no matter which option I choose, it always opens the folder in its own window when I double click on the folder. If I use the "right click->Explore" then it opens in the the same window. Somwhow, something is overriding the "Open each folder in the same window" settings. Any idea? Thanks -Antonio
apellizzaro Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 x64 Posts: 3

12 Hours Ago
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,015 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window Hi Antonio, Is the Navigation Pane turned off in the Windows Explorer window that always opens in a separate window by just clicking on it? Hope this helps, Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

12 Hours Ago
apellizzaro Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 x64 Posts: 3	Re: Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window No matter if the navigation pane is on or off, when I double click, it always perfomrs an "open" i.e. opens a new window. If I click on the navigation pane,then a new window does NOT open. Thanks for your help, our IT guy were not able to figure it out
apellizzaro Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 x64 Posts: 3

12 Hours Ago
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,015 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window Antonio, Try toggling the settings back to using the Always Open in the same window with the Navigation Pane on, then restarting the computer. Sometimes toggling the settings will reset them and allow them to work properly again. Hope this helps, Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

11 Hours Ago
apellizzaro Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 x64 Posts: 3	Re: Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window No Luck. I was hoping someone could point me to some registry settings to change/verify... Thanks -Antonio
apellizzaro Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 x64 Posts: 3

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