All folders open in new windows

Question

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate - 32 bit. Out of nowhere, this morning when I started my PC, every single folder that I double-clicked opened a new window. That's quite annoying. Even though the options in the Folder Settings is set to "Open each folder in same window". Only when I right click and click "Open", the folder opens in the same window.

I read an article on that exact problem here

I tried regsvr32 "%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll" which works ok and regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll" which gives me the following error:

Exact Translation:

Failed to load module " C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll".

Make sure the binary data stored in the specified path or debug it to check for the presence of any problems with bilateral DLL files or affiliates.

Could not access the specified module.

Anyways, I restarted but still the same. All folders open in new windows.

Also, Iv'e read that this problem is connected with Internet Explorer, I am currently looking into that.

Answer 1

Check default value of the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell registry key. File explorer would behave as described in case opennewwindow:

==> reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell" /ve

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
    (Default)    REG_SZ    opennewwindow

The value should be either empty:

==> reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell" /ve

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
    (Default)    REG_SZ

or undefined:

==> reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell" /ve

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
    (Default)    REG_SZ    (value not set) 

Addendum. Another cause under HKCR\Folder\shell\open key: if LaunchExplorerFlags value exists and its data is not equal to 0x0 then its non-zero value overrides the Open each folder in same window setting, for instance (poorly documented, see also its another use in Disable Open Folder In New Window, In Windows 8 Explorer):

• 0x1 is equivalent to HKCR\Folder\shell\opennewwindow;
• 0x3 is equivalent to HKCR\Folder\shell\opennewprocess;
• 0x18 could comport with HKCR\Folder\shell\explore (however not tested under open key).

The LaunchExplorerFlags value should either be missing as follows

==> reg query "HKCR\Folder\shell\open" /v LaunchExplorerFlags

ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value

or show

==> reg query "HKCR\Folder\shell\open" /v LaunchExplorerFlags

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open
    LaunchExplorerFlags    REG_DWORD    0x0

Example

==> reg query "HKCR\Folder\shell\open" /s

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open
    MultiSelectModel    REG_SZ    Document
    LaunchExplorerFlags    REG_DWORD    0x0

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\command
    (Default)    REG_EXPAND_SZ    %SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe
    DelegateExecute    REG_SZ    {11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}