Folders Open In Search as DEFAULT (WinXP SPack 1)

**WALLYO** · 2004-07-03 00:25

I have recently lost the ability to open folders by clicking on them. This used to work but now all folders default to the SEARCH screen. Could this have been a result of updating WinXP stuff from M/Soft? How do I go about changing back to the OPEN default? If I rt click the mouse on any folder I get a dropdown screen with SEARCH as the default and OPEN as a selection further down the list. I have tried going to folder options and view tab to try to change but that doesn't work. <img src=/S/bummer.gif border=0 alt=bummer width=15 height=15> <img src=/S/flags/Italy.gif border=0 alt=Italy width=30 height=18> <img src=/S/flags/Italy.gif border=0 alt=Italy width=30 height=18> <img src=/S/flags/Italy.gif border=0 alt=Italy width=30 height=18>

***JoeP517*** · 2004-07-03 01:40

In Windows explorer Go to Tools | Folder Options | File Types. Look for the 'Folder' entry. Click advanced. You should be able to change the actions.

Joe

**WALLYO** · 2004-07-03 01:52

Joe, Thanks for the reply but, as I stated in my post, I have tried this and it will not work. It will not permit me to make the change in the default selection.

**jscher2000** · 2004-07-04 02:20

It's strange. I don't have a default selection for Folders in the File Types dialog. Both Explore and Open are listed (Search... is not), and neither is set as the default. When I right-click a folder, the default seems to depend on the type of Explorer view I have: with the folder tree showing, the default is Explore, and if it isn't showing the default is Open.

None of this really helps you; perhaps there is a third party search utility that has hijacked Explorer? Noticed any strange search toolbars around? Maybe do some spyware scanning to see if you've acquired something unwelcome...

**WALLYO** · 2004-07-11 17:48

Thanks for trying to get this strange thing fixed for me. I have been to WIN XP board at M/Soft and have found a fix but it requires that I go into the registry and I am too much of a newbie to get that involved. By the way, It is the "explore search screen with the little dog" that comes up when I click on any folder. I can't even rt click on say "c" drive to get the drop down menu to select "open" which was the first (hence the default) option to chose. Now "search" is the first option and "open is further down the list. But !!!!, when I rt click on the "c drive" I get an error message sying that explorer has done something (Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.) and immediately shuts down the program. Not sure what is causing that but it just started recently and is a real PITA. I really need some help and don't know where to go since you can expect no help these days from any manufacturer. I am willing to pay but just don't know who to ask or where to ask. Thanx.... pj

**DocWatson** · 2004-07-12 12:04

I found this information..........that includes a link to download a reg file that will do the registry edit for you, here.

Fixing Explorer Searching Rather Than Opening Directories
Added 11/30/03

Sometimes after adding the right click with the Explorer, the default setting for opening a folder is changed.
To correct this:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Directory shell
Edit the default value to be explorer or none

To use the link to the registry fix, click on it and then save the file to your desktop. When the download is complete, simply double-click on the .reg file on your desktop and it will reset the registry value that controls this behavior. If you ar uncomfortable with this, I'd suggest posting back and we can try to walk you through a registry edit. It really is pretty simple. Your call. <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>

**DocWatson** · 2004-07-12 16:41

Hey pj !!

Nope, no phone service here in the lounge (helps cut down on overhead <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>). Not to worry though..... we'll do a step-by-step right here.

Start > Run > regedit > OK

Click on th + next to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT to open the tree

Scroll down through the tree past all the "." files and through the list of names (all in alphabetical order) to the Drive entry and click the + to open it's sub-tree

Click on shell and on the right side of the screen the value should appear (see screenshot). If it says anything other than none or explorer you'll need to edit it

Click on the word "Default" on the right side to highlight the value and then click on Edit > Modify to bring up the Edit String window. Change the Data String to "none" and click OK. Then click File > Exit. Reboot the computer and That's IT !!!

Now, if for some unforseen reason this fix doesn't work (no reason it shouldn't), you can go directly to the same key by going to Start > Run > regedit > OK and the registry will open directly to the key you just modified. Change the value back to it's original name and you will be none the worse for wear.

If you are still uncomfortable, doing this yourself, then I'd suggest using the registy file you downloaded. Either way, you should create a restore point before you start changing things. Let us know how you make out if you decide to proceed. Otherwise, post back with your questions and/or reservations. HTH

**WALLYO** · 2004-07-12 20:46

Hey DOC, it worked at least part way. I can now open the "first line Folders" but now all of the "subfolders" in that folder continue to revert to the search screen. I am extremely elated, none-the-less, at how it worked and it was easy as going to Sandy Hook. I noticed you are from NJ. We worked at Ft.Monmouth until we retired about 7 years ago (Lived in W.Long Branch) when we moved to Alabammy to be near our grandchildren in Birmingham. AL is no where close to living in the northeast. The only thing I / we don't miss is the snow and ice. The cold never bothered us a bit.
Anyhow, thanks for your help and easy to follow directions. If you think of anything that can change the new problem, don't hesitate to let me know. Now I intend to go to my desktop and try to fix it.
pjj

**WALLYO** · 2004-07-12 20:55

I am very unsure of myself and would like a walk thru. Do I reach you by phone (at my expense) so we can go slowly step by step? I did get to the registry in regedit but was unable to locate HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Directory shell. I keep getting HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDriveshell when I do a FIND. I did manage to copy the registry file to my desktop (I think) but I am still squemish about this action. Any help would be very appreciated at any time of the day you suggest or in any manner you suggest. Thanx loads, pj

**DocWatson** · 2004-07-12 21:08

pj,

Glad it accomplished something. <img src=/S/yep.gif border=0 alt=yep width=15 height=15> The only other thing I can suggest is to try changing the value to explorer instead of none, or try using that downloaded registry file. I'll do a bit more lookin' for a "complete" solution. But don't be polishin' my apple just yet. The "fix" isn't complete until the fat lady sings. <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

I'm down in west-central NJ just across the river from Philly. Don't get up to the northern end of the state too often. Have a friend who does a lot of traveling for Lockheed Martin, and he gets down to the Mobile area from time-to-time. Says he likes it so much he may retire down there. Personally I could leave the snow AND the cold behind and not lose a moment's sleep over it. <img src=/S/nope.gif border=0 alt=nope width=15 height=15>

**jscher2000** · 2004-07-12 23:38

The key

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectory

should be only a few screen-scrolls up from

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDrive

in the same part of the Registry. If you apply the same fix, does that help?

**bigaldoc** · 2004-07-13 10:09

<hr>...We worked at Ft.Monmouth until we retired... <hr>

Hoping not to offend, but realizing you just recently joined us: Have you noticed the "PostBox" at the top of your Lounge screen? It should have an envelope showing that I recently sent you a PM. Anyway, Welcome to The Lounge and good luck finishing this problem fix!

**DocWatson** · 2004-07-13 12:36

pj,

Came across your thread in another forum and followed Yoda's link to the MS KB article. It would seem that jsher2000's response to make the same changes in the Directory value might finish the fix.

**WALLYO** · 2004-07-15 01:01

Hey Doc, I found that reply but am not able to understand how I can ' click on the "DEFAULT" value.. If I click on it then it is highlighted with no action. If I rt click on it I get a drop screen with the selections to modify etc. Not sure what to do. My problem was happening in ALL folders until you gave me the fix for the "primary folders" which now all open upon clicking. All SUB-folders however, nowgive me the search screen with the little dog waggin its tail. It appears that YODA's fix for "all folders" (ie at the DIRECTORY level) is the fix I need. What think you??
By the way, Alabammy is not as inexpensive as it appears to be. It has many low level programs but taxes are about as high as they were in Monmouth County. There are food and clothing taxes here which didn't exist in Joisey. I could go on but this is not the area to do that.
Thanks again....pj
================================================== ===
1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Locate and then click the ---Default value---- under the following keys in the registry
If this problem occurs with folders:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshell

If this problem occurs with drives:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDriveshell
3. Click Modify on the Edit menu.
4. Type none in the Value data box, and then click OK.
5. Quit Registry Editor.

**WALLYO** · 2004-07-15 01:21

Well, I tried it and it works like a charm. I just didn't understand that he meant to change "find" to "none" in the default string. Now both directory and drive have a "none" as the default and all appears fine. Lets claim a victory after a good nights sleep and another reboot in the morning.
Thanks for your help.
pj

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