Vista - Can't select multiple files in the default Download folder

here's the .reg that will delete the bad registry entries when double-clicked. If it does not work try killing explorer.exe, applying the .reg and starting explorer.exe again. Report what happened, if it worked, etc..:

I am having the same problem with Vista build 6000. The OS installed with no
problems, but then over the past two weeks it has become impossible to select
multiple files. The "Select All" feature is disabled. The registry changes
did not seem to work for me. Has anyone found a solution to restoring
folders to the correct format? It seems like the "Apply to Folder" buttons
are not functioning as intended. It is a real pain to manually move one
file/folder at a time.

"Krun" wrote:

> I can't select multiple files in the Download folder. This problem only occur
> with this folder. Is it only me or is it a new restriction introduce by
> Microsoft on Vista? Its really bothering me cause I can only move one file at
> a time to an other folder...Someone has the same problem?
>

Here is what I did to fix the problem. I had the problem across all folders
even shares. Here's the steps to fix it:

Create a new user on your box.
Log in as that user
Open the registry and export the key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults]
I have 3 values here.
Log back into your problem user/profile and import the reg key you exported
above.
Log out and log back in... problem should be solved.

This definitely sounds like a bug to me.

ok ... narrowed it down just a bit more. Looks like it's the value:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults]
"{5C4F28B5-F869-4E84-8E60-F11DB97C5CC7}"

Export that from a new profile and reimport on your broken one and all
should be fixed.

Good Luck

"SirSycho" wrote:

> Here is what I did to fix the problem. I had the problem across all folders
> even shares. Here's the steps to fix it:
>
> Create a new user on your box.
> Log in as that user
> Open the registry and export the key:
> [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults]
> I have 3 values here.
> Log back into your problem user/profile and import the reg key you exported
> above.
> Log out and log back in... problem should be solved.
>
> This definitely sounds like a bug to me.
>
>
>

I just ran into this problem so I am late joining the thread. I will follow
the suggested work arounds but have this bit of new information. If I go to
my documents folder by the path Start-Documents (not the classic start menu,
for whatever that is worth), I can select multiple items. If I go the same
documents folder by the path Start-Computer-C drive-Users, etc., I cannot
select multiple items. I can have both windows open at the same time and
they look the same but behave differently. So it appears that it isn't just a
folder specific issue; it also has to do with how you navigate to the folder.
Very strange and if this isn't a bug, I don't know what is.

"Krun" wrote:

> I can't select multiple files in the Download folder. This problem only occur
> with this folder. Is it only me or is it a new restriction introduce by
> Microsoft on Vista? Its really bothering me cause I can only move one file at
> a time to an other folder...Someone has the same problem?
>

Well, no sooner did I post this than the behavior changed and I can now
select multiple items in my document folder through either path. I wanted to
mention that when I am in a folder where I cannot select multiple items, the
Select All menu item under Organize is also greyed out.

"austinTom" wrote:

> I just ran into this problem so I am late joining the thread. I will follow
> the suggested work arounds but have this bit of new information. If I go to
> my documents folder by the path Start-Documents (not the classic start menu,
> for whatever that is worth), I can select multiple items. If I go the same
> documents folder by the path Start-Computer-C drive-Users, etc., I cannot
> select multiple items. I can have both windows open at the same time and
> they look the same but behave differently. So it appears that it isn't just a
> folder specific issue; it also has to do with how you navigate to the folder.
> Very strange and if this isn't a bug, I don't know what is.
>
> "Krun" wrote:
>
> > I can't select multiple files in the Download folder. This problem only occur
> > with this folder. Is it only me or is it a new restriction introduce by
> > Microsoft on Vista? Its really bothering me cause I can only move one file at
> > a time to an other folder...Someone has the same problem?
> >