Vista Tutorial - Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window

**marksimpson884** · 06-04-2008

In folder options it has selected "Open each folder in the same window" but it never does. When I right-click and choose explore it opens in the same window as expected and it is the default action however if I double click a folder it always opens it in a new window.

Any suggestions?

**Brink** · 06-05-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by marksimpson884

In folder options it has selected "Open each folder in the same window" but it never does. When I right-click and choose explore it opens in the same window as expected and it is the default action however if I double click a folder it always opens it in a new window.

Any suggestions?

Hi Mark,

This tutorial may be able to help you. Make sure that you have the Navigation Pane turned on to.

Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**marksimpson884** · 06-05-2008

Thats for your input. I did forget about the navigation pane which works as well. I followed all the instructions and I can use the navigation pane but it would still be nice to be able to double click a folder without having it open in a new window. It used to work when I first got my computer but not anymore.

**Brink** · 06-05-2008

Mark,

With the Navigation Pane open and having Open each folder in the same window dotted, you should be able to double click on a folder to open it in the same window.

After that, does it still open a separate window?

Shawn

**marksimpson884** · 06-05-2008

If I use the navigation pane to open folders it opens in the same window but no opening a folder normally still creates a new window. I had this happen once before with my XP. It had something to do with having a USB device (Like a camera or an ipod) connected to my computer when it blue screened. With XP there was a fix though and with Visa I've yet to find one.

**Brink** · 06-06-2008

Mark,

You can try this below. It will reset the default value in the registry for this.

1. Open regedit.
2. Go to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell

3. In the right pane, right click on (Default) and click Modify.
4. Type none and click OK.

Here's a REG download if you prefer to use it instead. After you download it onto the desktop, right click on it and click Merge. Approve all the security prompts. This will change the registry for you automatically.

HKCR_Directory_Shell_None.reg < Click to Download

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**marksimpson884** · 06-06-2008

Its already set to none.

**Brink** · 06-06-2008

Ok Mark,

Try the 64 bit REG version download in STEP TWO of this tutorial. It resets all folder settings back to default.

Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix

If this still does not help, then I would do a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem.

Shawn

**marksimpson884** · 06-06-2008

No luck. Guess I'll have to live with it for now as the restore points don't fix it and I'm not willing to reformat over it.

**Respawns** · 06-06-2008

Sounds stupid but try clicking "apply" before you press OK and close the window.

Hope this helps.

06-04-2008	#1 (permalink)
marksimpson884 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 11 posts	In folder options it has selected "Open each folder in the same window" but it never does. When I right-click and choose explore it opens in the same window as expected and it is the default action however if I double click a folder it always opens it in a new window. Any suggestions? Last edited by marksimpson884; 06-04-2008 at 11:48 PM..
My System Specs

06-05-2008	#2 (permalink)
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,817 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window Quote: Originally Posted by marksimpson884 In folder options it has selected "Open each folder in the same window" but it never does. When I right-click and choose explore it opens in the same window as expected and it is the default action however if I double click a folder it always opens it in a new window. Any suggestions? Hi Mark, This tutorial may be able to help you. Make sure that you have the Navigation Pane turned on to. Open a Folder in the Same or Separate New Window Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

06-05-2008	#3 (permalink)
marksimpson884 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 11 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window Thats for your input. I did forget about the navigation pane which works as well. I followed all the instructions and I can use the navigation pane but it would still be nice to be able to double click a folder without having it open in a new window. It used to work when I first got my computer but not anymore.
My System Specs

06-05-2008	#4 (permalink)
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,817 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window Mark, With the Navigation Pane open and having Open each folder in the same window dotted, you should be able to double click on a folder to open it in the same window. After that, does it still open a separate window? Shawn
My System Specs

06-05-2008	#5 (permalink)
marksimpson884 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 11 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window If I use the navigation pane to open folders it opens in the same window but no opening a folder normally still creates a new window. I had this happen once before with my XP. It had something to do with having a USB device (Like a camera or an ipod) connected to my computer when it blue screened. With XP there was a fix though and with Visa I've yet to find one.
My System Specs

06-06-2008	#6 (permalink)
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,817 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window Mark, You can try this below. It will reset the default value in the registry for this. 1. Open regedit. 2. Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell 3. In the right pane, right click on (Default) and click Modify. 4. Type none and click OK. Here's a REG download if you prefer to use it instead. After you download it onto the desktop, right click on it and click Merge. Approve all the security prompts. This will change the registry for you automatically. HKCR_Directory_Shell_None.reg < Click to Download Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

06-06-2008	#7 (permalink)
marksimpson884 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 11 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window Its already set to none.
My System Specs

06-06-2008	#8 (permalink)
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,817 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window Ok Mark, Try the 64 bit REG version download in STEP TWO of this tutorial. It resets all folder settings back to default. Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix If this still does not help, then I would do a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem. Shawn
My System Specs

06-06-2008	#9 (permalink)
marksimpson884 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 11 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window No luck. Guess I'll have to live with it for now as the restore points don't fix it and I'm not willing to reformat over it.
My System Specs

06-06-2008	#10 (permalink)
Respawns Member Join Date: May 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 23 posts	Re: Windows Explorer Always Opens In a New Window Sounds stupid but try clicking "apply" before you press OK and close the window. Hope this helps.
My System Specs

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