Vista - Lost multiple select in folders

I have lost the ability to select multiple files in folders while using
windows explorer. In other words, I cannot hold down the shift or control key
and click on multiple files to move them, delete them, etc. I have tired
resetting folders to defaults, rebooting, but not go.

One day, I got the function back, but I do not know what I did, then lost it
again. Any help out there?

Galen wrote:
> I have lost the ability to select multiple files in folders while using
> windows explorer. In other words, I cannot hold down the shift or control key
> and click on multiple files to move them, delete them, etc. I have tired
> resetting folders to defaults, rebooting, but not go.
>
> One day, I got the function back, but I do not know what I did, then lost it
> again. Any help out there?


This is a known bug that MS is currently investigating. A workaround you
can use if you get into this state is to delete the Bags and BagMRU
Keys. This will reset the per user view state for all folder views. This
key is located at HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\

You need to delete everything under and including the BagMRU and Bags
keys in order to reset your viewstate.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Hey Galen--

Good to hear from you. Try running SFC from an elevated cmd and see if that
corrects this:

Type cmd in Search and rt. click it>run as admin>type sfc /scannow at the
prompt. If that won't fix it try running a Startup Repair from the DVD or
some of the other repair mechanisms:

I know you are familiar with many of these links for years.

If you have a Vista DVD try Startup Repair. If that doesn't work, try Safe
Mode>System Restore from the Recovery Environment, and you always have the
F8 advanced options and a repair install (with the DVD) as well.

***Startup Repair and System Restore from the Win Recovery Environment on
the DVD***

You can run Startup Repair by putting your Vista DVD in after the
language screen in setup. You can also run System Restore from the same
location.

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm

Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For
information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a
DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
2. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to
the Lock button, and then click Restart.

This usually means that you enter bios setup by whatever key or keys
(sometimes there is more than one key that will do it for your model--go to
pc manufacturer site) and configure CD to be first in the boot order (this
will allow you to boot from the Vista DVD as well):

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm...ios/bios03.jpg

Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power
button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.

3. Set your language preference, and then click Next.

Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you
do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system
that you want to repair, and then click Next.

6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair to start the
repair process.

7. When the repair process is complete, click Finish.

Additional References for Startup Repair With Screenshots:

How to Use Startup Repair:

***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***

1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)

2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***

Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui...4/500x375.aspx

Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img...SysRecOpt2.bmp

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm

3) Select your OS for repair.

4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
theWin RE feature:

You'll have a choice there of using:

1) Startup Repair
2) System Restore
3) Complete PC Restore
___________________

***Using the F8 Environment or a Repair Install from the DVD:***

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm...ios/bios03.jpg

Repair Install
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx

Repair Install (Method 2):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/315341

III Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by startin gth ePC and tapping F8 once per second:

You could also:

Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration


Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.

These methods are outlined in

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/

How to Use System Restore

http://bertk.mvps.org/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx

Using System Restore

http://tinyurl.com/dvekb

System Restore for Windows XP

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449


Repair Install: (This option has the best chance of succeeding and it
preserves everything in your OS--you do not lose anything with this option):

Make sure the DVD you have is a Vista DVD

Pitfalls: If the DVD came from friend or relative or P2P, you may have
problems. P2P besides being illlegal in many countries including the U.S.
can be corrupt. If CD came from friend or relative, they may have given
you the CD to use but if product key is in use, MSFT is not going to accept
it for activation. Make sure you clean the CD carefully using proper
cleaning fluid and strokes that radiate from center like spokes on a wheel.

Again a repair install has the most likely chance to succeed, but you need
to have an Vista DVD.
First, in order to do a Repair Install You must boot to the bios setup and
position booting from the "CD" first in the boot order--it probably will not
say DVD but might.

Booting to Bios Setup:

For 85% of PC's and all Dells you can tap the F2 key to reach bios setup.

How To Enable DVD/CD Rom Support (put CD boot first) in bios setup boot
order:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how..._support_i.htm

Screen Shot of bios setup boot order:
http://www.poy.net/proxy/bios2.jpg

Repair Install Does Not Lose Anything; you may need to try 2-3 times but
that's rare.

How To Repair Install
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3153...22120121120120
Screen Shot Repair Install
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...exfullpage.htm

Good luck,

CH


"Galen" <Galen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B8B6E8C2-366F-4087-A371-B14E19C494F0@microsoft.com...
>I have lost the ability to select multiple files in folders while using
> windows explorer. In other words, I cannot hold down the shift or control
> key
> and click on multiple files to move them, delete them, etc. I have tired
> resetting folders to defaults, rebooting, but not go.
>
> One day, I got the function back, but I do not know what I did, then lost
> it
> again. Any help out there?

It's a quirk of Explorer that's been showing up on some people's machines.
No known cause yet, but it gets saved with folder views once it happens.

I've written a script that helps MOST people with the multi-select problem.
It will remove single-select from saved folder views & saved defaults.
Right-click the link below & select 'Save Target As..."

http://mysite.verizon.net/res18hr7/FixSingleSelect.zip

Then extract the contents of the .zip file & run the script.


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

"Galen" <Galen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B8B6E8C2-366F-4087-A371-B14E19C494F0@microsoft.com...
>I have lost the ability to select multiple files in folders while using
> windows explorer. In other words, I cannot hold down the shift or control
> key
> and click on multiple files to move them, delete them, etc. I have tired
> resetting folders to defaults, rebooting, but not go.
>
> One day, I got the function back, but I do not know what I did, then lost
> it
> again. Any help out there?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934548/en-us

On a Windows Vista-based computer, you cannot use keyboard shortcuts
to select more than one item in Windows Explorer

View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 934548
Last Review : April 24, 2007
Revision : 1.0

SYMPTOMS
On a Windows Vista-based computer, you cannot use keyboard shortcuts
to select more than one item in Windows Explorer. For example, you
cannot use the CTRL+A keyboard shortcut to select all the items in a
Windows Explorer window. Also, you cannot select multiple items in a
Windows Explorer window by holding the SHIFT key or the CTRL key while
you click the items.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use the Reset Folders command. To use the Reset
Folders command, follow these steps:
1. In the Windows Explorer window where this issue occurs, click
Organize, and then click Folder and Search Options.
2. On the View tab, click Reset Folders.


On May 5, 1:15 pm, "Keith Miller MVP" <k.mille...@no.spam.verizon.net>
wrote:
> It's a quirk of Explorer that's been showing up on some people's machines.
> No known cause yet, but it gets saved with folder views once it happens.
>
> I've written a script that helps MOST people with the multi-selectproblem.
> It will remove single-selectfrom saved folder views & saved defaults.
> Right-click the link below &select'Save Target As..."
>
> http://mysite.verizon.net/res18hr7/FixSingleSelect.zip
>
> Then extract the contents of the .zip file & run the script.
>
> --
> Good Luck,
>
> Keith
> Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
>
> "Galen" <G...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>
> news:B8B6E8C2-366F-4087-A371-B14E19C494F0@microsoft.com...
>
> >I have lost the ability toselectmultiplefilesin folders while using
> > windows explorer. In other words, I cannot hold down the shift or control
> > key
> > and click onmultiplefilesto move them, delete them, etc. I have tired
> > resetting folders to defaults, rebooting, but not go.
>
> > One day, I got the function back, but I do not know what I did, then lost
> > it
> > again. Any help out there?

Thank you, Keith, MVP! I was going to post the problem but I see that others
have it already and you have a great fix.

Do you know if Microsoft is going to release an update that fixes this? I
appreciate that you wrote the script for the fix. but I was just wondering if
MS is going to do anything.

Thanks again!
--
Debbie


"Keith Miller MVP" wrote:

> It's a quirk of Explorer that's been showing up on some people's machines.
> No known cause yet, but it gets saved with folder views once it happens.
>
> I've written a script that helps MOST people with the multi-select problem.
> It will remove single-select from saved folder views & saved defaults.
> Right-click the link below & select 'Save Target As..."
>
> http://mysite.verizon.net/res18hr7/FixSingleSelect.zip
>
> Then extract the contents of the .zip file & run the script.
>
>
> --
> Good Luck,
>
> Keith
> Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
>
> "Galen" <Galen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B8B6E8C2-366F-4087-A371-B14E19C494F0@microsoft.com...
> >I have lost the ability to select multiple files in folders while using
> > windows explorer. In other words, I cannot hold down the shift or control
> > key
> > and click on multiple files to move them, delete them, etc. I have tired
> > resetting folders to defaults, rebooting, but not go.
> >
> > One day, I got the function back, but I do not know what I did, then lost
> > it
> > again. Any help out there?
>
>