How to fix issue of folders and drives opening in separate window?

How to fix issue of folders and drives opening in separate window?

Hi Johny,

This situation seems to be really annoying. This may happen when a program or virus tries to change the Drive Shell or the individual file folder.

Here are 10 ways to fix this and tips on how to prevent virus infections like this.

1. Folder Options – Let’s try a simple setting in the File Folder Options.

• Open any folder.
• Click Tools in the menu above.
• Select Folder Options.
• Under “Browser Folders” in the General tab;
• Select “Open each folder in the same window”.
• Hit Apply and OK.

2. Other Malware – If you have not found any virus, it may not be a virus at all. It could be a worm, rootkits or other malicious software that changing your settings. Some Antivirus software cannot detect other malware or at least some of it.

Try some of these popular Anti-malware and Anti-Spyware:

• Spybot Search and Destroy.
• Malwarebyte’s Antimalware.
• Ad-Aware.

3. Remove virus in Safe Mode – Some Viruses and Trojans can hide themselves from the system and even from the antivirus itself. Since viruses and other applications and programs are not operational in Safe Mode, there is a better chance that the antivirus or antimalware can detect the virus in your computer.

• Update your Antivirus.
• Restart your computer and as soon as it lights up hit F8 multiple times until you get to the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
• Choose Safe Mode.
• Choose your operating system.
• Login as the Administrator.
• Do another scan of your PC.
• Remove or Fix the infections found.

4. Registry Tweak: Set Folder Default to Open & Use Same Window – Here is a registry edit which can help you restore the setting in just a few clicks.

• http://ww1.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/exploredefaultshell.reg
• Save the REG File. Double click it and select “Yes” to the import prompt.

If you want to know what’s in the file, it can be viewed in a Notepad. Right click it and select Edit.

NOTE: If your anti-virus tells you about that the REG file is a virus or a malware, this is normal. Although, these REG tweaks can make changes to the System Registry, it is not a malicious software.

5. Registry Tweak: Open Each Folder in Same Window – Another easy to use registry to edit which can help you modify the setting in just a few clicks.

• http://ww1.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/settingssamewindow.reg
• Save the REG File. Double click it and select “Yes” to the import prompt.

If you want to know what’s in the file, it can be viewed in a Notepad. Right click it and select Edit.

NOTE: If your anti-virus tells you about that the REG file is a virus or a malware, this is normal. Although, these REG tweaks can make changes to the System Registry, it is not a malicious software.

6. Registry Tweak: Windows XP Doesn't Save User Settings – In case, the problem is the saving of the setting, try the above registry tweak. After running the registry do #3 and/or #4.

• http://ww1.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/savesettings.reg
• Save the REG File. Double click it and select “Yes” to the import prompt.

If you want to know what’s in the file, it can be viewed in a Notepad. Right click it and select Edit.

NOTE: If your anti-virus tells you about that the REG file is a virus or a malware, this is normal. Although, these REG tweaks can make changes to the System Registry, it is not a malicious software.

7. Drive Shell – Try this shell setting/modifying.

• Click Start > Run, type “regsvr32 /i shell32.dll” press Enter
• A message will appear with “DllRegisterServer and DllInstall in shell32.dll succeeded”

8. Manual registry edit – If you don’t feel safe about downloading and executing a file, especially since it’s a registry tweak, you may make the changes manually.

• Click Start>Run, type “regedit” press Enter.
• Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Directory/Shell.
• Double click the default key shown, and type “none” and press ok.
• Now, go now to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Drive/Shell.
• Double click the default key shown, and type “none” and press ok.

9. Manual registry edits through command – Another of the same step but on a different approach.

• Click Start > Run, type “Reg add hkcrdriveshell /ve /d none /f” including the Spaces and press Enter.

10. System Restore – A Simple System Restore may also do the trick.

• Click Start -> All Programs.
• Go to Accessories -> System Tools.
• Select System Restore and choose the date when you remember the computer was working properly.

I sure hope any or some of the things listed above has helped you. Good luck!