How do I disable auto opening of subfolders?

When you click on a folder in the folders view of Windows Explorer, any subfolders within that folder are automatically expanded below the root folder. Is there a way to prevent that? I may have 20 subfolders, and if I want to see the contents of the next root folder down, I have to scroll down...it is really annoying. If I can get rid of the auto display of zip files within a folder in the folders pane, that would be very welcome too!

 

If I understand you correctly you are looking for a way to stop sub-folders from opening automatically when you click the + mark on a folder.

To do this open Windows Explorer, click on Tools, Folder Options, View, place a check mark in "Display Simply Folder View in Explorer's Folder List ".

Hope this is what you were looking for.

 

Sorry no, when I click on the folder icon itself. I expect any subfolders to open if I click on the + mark or close if I click on the - mark.

Anyway, I've achieved my goal by unchecking the "Display Simply Folder View" option. Now when I click on a folder icon in folders list, the folder contents are displayed in the files list without opening the subfolder tree within that folder in the folders list. If I click on the + mark, yes then the subfolders are displayed (what I expect it to do then).

Now if I can only turn off the listing of zipped files in the folders list, just want to see folders .... no files

 

I think we were saying the same thing just in a different way, I understood that clicking the + would expand the folder, as that is its intended function, what you were trying to stop was the sub-folders from opening also.

In any case, removing the tick in "Display Simply Folder View in Explorer's Folder List" was the way to accomplish what you were trying to do.

As for your other question, "How to turn off the listing of zipped files in the folders list, just want to see folders .... no files." As this is part of Windows XP compression program I don't know if there is a way to stop it from doing this as it appears to be part of the programming.

What XP does allow is for you to install a different Zipping Program to replace the built in compression program. In my case I installed WinZip and it resolved the issue you're talking about.

You can read more about compression in XP by searching for
COMPRESSED (zipped) FOLDERS OVERVIEW in the Help and Support Center.

 

Thank you. Yes, I too have installed Winzip, and the zipped files still appear in the folders list. Winzip is associated with zipped files, and if I open a zipped file, Winzip opens it. Perhaps there will be an option in a "tweak" application to disable the display.