No "File" menu in windows explorer

I am running XP Pro and I have lost the "File" menu in Windows Explorer (My Computer). The Menu still has the "Edit" "View" "Tools" and "Help" menus, by the "File" menu disappeared. It seems the loss is only on windows explorer, and not Word, or Outlook, or any other programs. I couldn't tell you how long it has been missing, but it is hard to create a new directory without the nice menu command.

I have tried a system restore, but it didn't restore back far enough. I do know that it was there.

I need someone to tell me that a simple little overlooked option got turned off so I can turn it back on (I hope it is that simple).

Any suggestions?

 

Is it only from the My Computer view or is it missing if you right-click the start button and click on Explore?

Try clicking on start, on run, keying in

Code:

sfc /scannow

and clicking OK.

 

Have a look at the following two registry keys. In the right pane look for an entry names NoFileMenu. If it's there, first backup the key and then delete the NoFileMenu entry.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

 

Interesting Zander and certainly sounds likely. I was assuming something was busted but that setting would do the deed.

How would that particular reg entry get made in the first place?

 

I don't really know. You know how windows can be. I've often wondered how a lot of things happen in windows. One thing that comes to mind that I've seen a few times over the years is the old NoSaveSettings entry in win98. Some brand new installations end up with that setting. How? Again, I have know idea. I just chalk it up to gremlins.

I've seen this NoFileMenu thing once here. The guy admitted he'd been messing with gpedit and could have "accidentally" done something in there. I've never really looked to see but my guess is there's probably a policy setting for this available in there. Guess I'll have to check it out.

 

FWIW, I found a setting in gpedit for this.

User Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Explorer

"Remove File menu from Windows Explorer "

I tried it for the heck of it and it did put the NoFileMenu setting in the HKCU key but not in the HKLM one.

I have no idea which one I found it in on the guys computer I spoke of before. It's been a while. I'm pretty sure it was just in one of them on his though. I just remember trying to find an answer and came up with this solution. The article I found it in mentioned both keys so.....