Folder option not available.

I have always used the folder option "Single click to open an item (point to select). After I upgraded to XP Pro from XP Home it is no longer an available option (grayed out). See jpeg below. How can I restore this option to be available?

 

Hi Oldsalty,
I suppose you know you need to have logged in with an account that has admin privileges don't you? I know you own your own computer. I found this but it involves either Group policy editor or a manual registry check/change or edit.

Use caution and either export these keys before changing, make a new restore point manually, or export the whole reg, the choice is yours. Here's the scoop:

When you open Folder Options, the entry Single-click to open an item (point to select) is dimmed. This happens if classic shell is enforced. The option Show Common tasks in folders will also grayed out. This may be a network policy setting. If your system is in a Domain, the best option is to contact your network admin. For standalone PCs, try the setting given below.


RESOLUTION

Open Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) and navigate to:

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

-and-

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

In the right-pane of both the above hkeys^, set ClassicShell to 0. Restart for the changes to take effect. The "Single click" folder option should now be restored.
Note:
If the key and dword value are not there, you can make the key in the right side pane. Right click in pane>select new>key> dword>...rename it ClassicShell. After key is made double click on it and from the popup enter the value of 0. Do this for both Hkey locations previously mentioned. Exit out of regedit and reboot.

If the problem persist and if you are using Windows XP Professional Edition, load the Group Policy Editor (GPEDIT.MSC) and go to:

User Configuration>Windows components>Windows Explorer
Double-click the entry Turn on classic shell and set it to Not Configured

If the "Classic Shell" setting is not found following the above path^ try:
User Configuration>Admin temp>windows comp>Windows Explorer
--------------
Keep in mind I am not familiar with security policy settings and option changes if you have installed sp2. I know there are newer cpl's in the control panel that offer and control various things but I didn't get to play with sp2 before I made a major booboo and lost the install. I just haven't gotten around to installing it again. Point is mute though, either the directions above will work or not and is reversible.

 

Thanks for the answer. First clarification, I only have 2 logins for my computer Administrator, and Ron both have administrative privileges.
Regedit does not have the value "ClassicShell ". I could enter it if I know what type value it is, String Binary, DWORD, ...
If you know please tell me.
I ran GPEDIT.MSC and can't find "User Configuration | Windows components | Windows Explorer" I have included 2 Jpeg's to show you.

 

Userconfig/Admin temp/windows comp/windows explorer and turn on classic shell in right pane.

 

Sorry oldsalty,
It's a dword value. I just reproduced the greyed options by adding those policy hkey value to my registry and giving the value of 1 and it does indeed result in the greyed out option.

Remember you want to set the value to 0 and reboot for the change.

I can't comment on group policy edit. I'm on xp home at the moment and there is no such critter. Take bmoore's lead on this.

I now need to delete the hkeys I added and reboot.

Bye.

 

I added the entry and now I have single click back. Thanks so much.

 

Thanks for the update and I'm glad it worked. Your most welcome. Sorry for the incomplete directions. I have since made the appropriate change and added a more complete set of instructions.