Cannot permanently resize windows.

I recently, within the last month or so have had an annoying thing with windows. I viewed two windows vertically and now when I open any window it opens vertically. I have resized it and closed and reopened to no avail. I want to find and correct this condition. Do you have any ideas?

 

Hi, Ron.

Gotta say I got a chuckle out of the taglines in your sig.

Are you referring to Windows Explorer windows? If so, then...

• Open Windows Explorer.
• Set the window the way you want it.
• Click Tools > Folder Options... > View tab.
• Click the "Apply to All Folders" button.

 

Actually the windows that are causing this are shortcuts to URL's copied to my desktop and quick launch bar. They open in a narrow vertical window. I have deleted them and put them back but they still open the same. If I open a program it or shortcut to a program it opens correctly. I am truly stumped.

 

Are the narrow windows Internet Explorer windows?

If so, then what happens when you open IE via your Start menu?

 

Yes they are IE windows. Start menu opens in full screen. I also get this narrow vertical window when I open links in e-mail.

 

Here are a couple possible solutions.

I'd be inclined to first try the method in the 2nd post as it does not appear dangerous.

The "2004 - 2006 Microsoft MVP" poster in the first post suggests a registry edit. Therefore, my usual disclaimer follows.

==========
DISCLAIMER/CAUTION: Editing/cleaning/repairing your computer's registry is potentially dangerous. You might render your computer unstable or even unbootable. Before you edit/clean/repair your registry with any method, be sure you make a backup of your registry and you know how to access and use that backup in case you muck up your computer.

If you decide to manually edit your registry, then be sure you are comfortable with editing the registry and I suggest you save a backup of at least the section you edit ahead of time in case you need/want to reverse your changes. Editing the registry can produce serious undesirable consequences if done incorrectly.

In any case, you should know ahead of time how to restore your original registry settings and prepare to do so in case the need arises.

• MVPS.org (Ramesh's Site): How to backup the Windows XP Registry?
• Microsoft KB322756: How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista
• Symantec: Backing up the Windows registry

I also suggest you create a System Restore point before making any changes (regardless of what method you use). System Restore may be accessed as follows.

• Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Microsoft KB306084: How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
==========

 

OK, I changed th registry and this changed the size and placement of the window. Now it is a small window about an inch down and an inch from the left edge. I have tried all the other methods to resize it permanently to no avail. We got some where but it is not where I want to be. Thanks mailman!

 

Ugh! I hope we didn't make things worse. Did you reboot after the registry edit?

I hope you can at least still use IE.

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/ietips.htm offers two suggestions in the section titled, "Opening Internet Explorer Full Size ".

One of the suggestions involves downloading and merging a ResetWindowPlacement.reg file that appears to replace the Window_Placement value you just deleted with the "default" Window_Placement value.

Maybe after doing that (and rebooting) you can drag your IE window to the desired location/size (according to the other mvps.org instructions I linked in this message) and have it stick.


BTW, here are the contents of that ResetWindowPlacement.reg file for your inspection.