After download, clicking "Open Folder" opens Search instead of containing Folder ???

UPDATE: 10:00 PM, 10/25/02

PLEASE DISREGARD REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE: I finally found the answer in Microsoft's Knowledge Base after dozens of searches (can't remember the exact combination of words/terms that finally worked). If anyone else encounters this problem, go to Microsoft KB Article Q321186 "Search Companion Starts If You Double-Click a Folder ", and follow the instructions. Although the article appears to address a slightly different problem, it's actually part of, or a variation on, the SAME ISSUE, and the Registry edit repairs both.

This is the URL to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Q321186:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q321186

NOTE: The problem develops after clicking the Advanced button on the File Types tab in Folder Options while "Folder" or "File Folder" is highlighted (Windows Explorer, Tools, Folder Options, File Types tab, click Advanced button while either "Folder" or "File Folder" is highlighted). Simply clicking the Advanced button is the only action required; the problem develops even if you don't edit or make any changes in the file associations. The Registry edit returns a Value to "none ", and for whatever reason, it resolves the issue. Detailed step by step instructions for the Registry edit are provided in the KB Article.

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION:



I had a catastrophic system meltdown last Friday, and eventually had to reformat/reinstall Windows XP Home. I was almost back up to speed, but two or three days after the reinstall, the "Open Folder" button (upon completion of a download) started opening the Search window instead of the containing Folder. Ironically, if I download a file with DAP, the containing Folder does open when selected. Any idea what's happening here? I was downloading and updating so many things after the reinstall that it's difficult to determine what may have caused the problem - however, I do know that it didn't start happening immediately after the reinstall, but two or three days later. Thanks.

Daniel D.

 

ISSUE RESOLVED - SOLUTION PROVIDED IN ORIGINAL POST

I edited my original post to let readers know I had resolved the problem, and to provide the solution as well, but then forgot to add "RESOLVED" to the Subject so others could avoid wasting time. This should cover it - have a good week everybody!

 

Very interesting. Thanks for the feedback and the heads up Daniel.

As usual, when I read a MS KB item I often wonder if they really said what they meant:

I wonder if they meant to repeat the same Key. If so, why did they word their article so that two keys were implied? That's rhetorical, I don't expect an answer.

 

Daniel , I tried the method that is suggested for causing that problem. I can confirm that it works! I couldn't open any folders on my C: drive but it didn't affect my second physical drive partitions, E:, F:, and G: though.

Another funny thing, I didn't get the Search Companion as mentioned, mine gave me the Command prompt window when clicking on any folder. I suspect this is because I have installed a VB script that wrote "Command prompt Here" to the Folder properties. How this little bugger manifests itself will depend on how the particular machine is configured.

Another oddity, it doesn't happen if you are in Explorer when you do the Tools > Folder Options > File Types > highlight Folders > Advanced, but it does in "My Computer ".

Very strange behavior for a supposedly stable system.

BTW, I have GoBack so no problem getting back to solid footing again.

 

I didn't realize I was posting an erector set... lol!

Greetings Zephyr,

I was simply relieved to have Folders opening as intended again, but it sounds like you had a very good time playing with this little glitch. In truth, I did try one experiment myself; I returned to File Types, clicked Advanced, edited to add "Explore ", and then made it the default action for opening Folders. I was hoping to make folders like My Documents open with the Folder tree pane already present (to save myself that extra click), but for whatever reason, it didn't work, and I still had to click the Folders button on the Toolbar (or View\Explorer Bar\Folders) to open the Folder tree pane. The entire issue is genuinely strange, from trigger to Registry edit, and nothing about it makes much sense. . . I can't even imagine the mind capable of discovering the solution to an issue as obscure as this one. Again, I'm glad you enjoyed playing with it - have a great week.


Daniel D.

 

and to further beat this Erector set to death...

Doug Knox has addressed this problem and supplied a fix.

Copy the following vb script to Notepad and save it with a .vbs extension. Then double click it and the fix will occur. Save it for next time. Visit his site mentioned in the script for other good stuff.


'folder_open.vbs - Fixes problem where Search opens on a double click
'© Doug Knox - 03/13/2002
'This code may be freely distributed/modified
'Downloaded from www.dougknox.com

Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject( "WScript.Shell ")

p1 = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\ "
p2 = "none "

WshShell.RegWrite p1, p2



p1 = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\ "
WshShell.RegWrite p1, p2

Set WshShell = Nothing

MyBox = MsgBox( "Folders will now Open when double clicked ", 4096, "Finished! ")

 

GREETINGS Zephyr, and thanks...

Long time no read Zephyr,

I received e-mail notification of the new entry to the thread - I should have guessed you'd discovered an easier way to repair the problem . I created the VB Script and saved it for "next time ", and also visited Doug's extremely useful web site - thank you for taking the time to post the information, and enjoy your weekend.

Daniel D.