Folders keep opening in new windows in Windows 10
Replies (7)
Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.
I understand your concern, and we in Community will try to help you in the best possible way we can.
I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps.
1. Open file explorer.
2. Click on view.
3. Click on options.
4. In General tab, select open each folder in the same Window.
Hope the information helps, if you have any further queries, feel free to post. We are here to assist you.
12 people found this reply helpful
Was this reply helpful?
Sorry this didn’t help.
Great! Thanks for your feedback.
How satisfied are you with this reply?
Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.
How satisfied are you with this reply?
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks Guru Kiran G for your response, but open each folder in the same Window is already applied in the General tab.
I’ve read that my profile might be corrupt, so I used a different profile and I still had the same issue. I got an update late last night that fixed it, but now it’s occurring once again.
Edit: It’s only happening in my Pictures folder. I checked if it was doing the same in my Downloads and Videos folder, but it didn’t.
Was this reply helpful?
Sorry this didn’t help.
Great! Thanks for your feedback.
How satisfied are you with this reply?
Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.
Folders open in new window despite folder option says: open in the same window)
i use windows 7 ultimate x86.
there this problem appeared suddenly.
When i doubleclick on a folder in an explorer windows, it does not open in the same window as it did before,
but it opens a new window.
when i click through a directory tree i suddenly have 7 or 8 open windows, which i dont want.
i want the old behaviour back (every folder is opened in the same window) !
now i know that under folder options there is such an option : «open in the same window» or «open in a new
the strange thing : it still stands on «open in the same window».
i assume any program changed this behaviour, only i dont know which and when and how.
when i change this option from «open in same window» to «open in new window», it has no effect !
to be true : it has an effect when i right click on the folder to open and choose «open» from the
right-click menu. here this option has the effect to either open a new window or not.
ONLY this effect DOES NOT appear when i double click the folder i want to open.
until yesterday, it behaved ok and opened in the same window. but now, whatever i do, a new window is
the folder option, though, has only effect on «right click and open» actions, but not on left double click
i checked my mouse options, but there is also nothing to see.
my question now : how can i get the normal old behaviopur back : when i double left click on the folder i
want to open,l it should open in the same windows (and NOT open a new window).
where do i find this option (while the standard option has no effect, this option only has an effect when
right click and open is chosen).
how can i get the «open in the same windows» option back also whern i double click the new folder to open ?
best regards from germany,
no, it wasn’t what you all suggested.
Instead, i found the solution now, and please remeber it, because i suppose you will see it again !
I had, beside the «folders open in new windows when doubleclicked despite folder options say same window» problem, two others, one was that Internet Explorer wouldnt start at all anymore (which wasnt too bad for me since i use Firefox as browser anyway) and then the printer folder in control panel would not contain anything, it was an empty folder, just a blank folder (though i had printers installed).
All three problems were connected, and the solution was simple, but hard to find (for me).
I found it here :
the solution is to create the follwing .cmd file and execute it, after execution imnmediately reboot !
:: 32 bit and 64 bit
IF EXIST «%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll» «%SystemRoot%\System32\regsvr32.exe» «%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll»
IF EXIST «%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll» «%SystemRoot%\System32\regsvr32.exe» «%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll»
:: 64 bit only (32bit on 64 bit)
IF EXIST «%WinDir%\SysWOW64\actxprxy.dll» «%WinDir%\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe» «%WinDir%\SysWOW64\actxprxy.dll»
IF EXIST «%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll» «%WinDir%\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe» «%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll»
after execution and immediate reboot, all problems are gone, everything is ok again.
please note the different path under windows 7 x64 (ProgramFilesx86), therefor the x64 part.
You must use regsvr32 to re-register the two proxy DLLs (actxprxy.dll and ieprxy.dll), thenreboot
You can use the upper batch file (.cmd file) to do this.
You must run this batch file with administrative privileges (right click on the file and chooseRun as administrato r)
David from Davids Blog (see link above) explained it like this :
Problem(s):
- When attempting to open a folder in Windows Explorer , the folder opens in a new window, even if “Open each folder in the same window ” is selected in Folder Options.
- Some links in Internet Explorer don’t open correctly
- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio : An error with a message like “Unable to cast COM object of type ‘System.__ComObject’ to interface type ‘Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop.IServiceProvider’ . This operation failed because the QueryInterface call on the COM component for the interface with IID ‘<6d5140c1-7436-11ce-8034-00aa006009fa>’ failed due to the following error:No such interface supported (Exception from HRESULT: 0×80004002 (E_NOINTERFACE)). (Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop)
- Visual Studio Team Explorer : When browsing using the Team Explorer window, you may get COM errors similar to those in the SQL Management Studio error above
Explanation:
I’m not sure of the exact details, but this is what I think I’ve found. Perhaps someone at Microsoft would correct or elaborate on this.
Previously, actxprxy.dll (ActiveX Interface Marshaling Library) was used as the proxy for a multitude of system interfaces, such as IShellFolder and IServiceProvider.
In Windows 7 (and probably Vista also), the GUID of this library has changed from to
Secondly, there is also a new Proxy/Stub provider found in ieproxy.dll of Internet Explorer (IE ActiveX Interface Marshaling Library). Some interfaces that previously used actxprxy.dll are now registered to use ieproxy.dll.
Now various problematic software (such as Vault 3.x) will try to register against actxproxy using the old GUID, and for interfaces now proxied by ieproxy.dll.
Please read the source yourself (link above) for more details.
It helped me a lot, because noone could really help me, not even here, and i received partially weird
hints of which none helped at all.
only the above batch file helped it.
this will re-appear, so keep that batch file, you will need it from time to time.
Windows 7 My Documents folders opening in new window or twice
Hi, I have a strange problem. The other day out of nowhere, if I open any folder contained in my «My Documents» directory, that folder opens in a new window, sometimes twice. I already have the option to open folders in a new window turned off, and this is the ONLY folder that has this issue. I don’t know how to better explain this so I will link a video of it happening on my desktop.
This started happening literally out of nowhere, i was making dinner, left my PC for about 3 hours, came back and this was happening. I probably received a windows update that did it.
Also of note is that it only happens If I navigate to the folder by using my username link on the Start menu. For example in the video I click start menu- Ed -My Documents, then any new folder opened comes up in two windows. Once I click -back and go back in again, it doesn’t happen. And, if I navigate to the my docs folder via the «Documents» link on the start menu, it doesn’t happen.
It’s a little thing, but driving me nuts 🙂
Replies (8)
Hi Roz1281,
Step 1:
As the issue has started recently, I suggest that you perform System Restore and then check for the issue.
Before you start System Restore, save any open files and close all programs. Once you confirm your restore point, System Restore restarts your computer.
To open System Restore, follow the steps below:
a. Open System Restore by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore.
b. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Access the link below to know more about System Restore:
There are also chances of your compute being infected with some type of malware or virus.
I would strongly recommend you to run the Virus Scan.
a. If you don’t have anti-virus software installed on your computer, I suggest that you run a Malware scan on your computer.
b. I would recommend you to run online Virus Scan to remove any infections, if present.
Follow the link below to run the free online scan:
Regards,
Manasa P – Microsoft Support.
Was this reply helpful?
Sorry this didn’t help.
Great! Thanks for your feedback.
How satisfied are you with this reply?
Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.
How satisfied are you with this reply?
Thanks for your feedback.
Was this reply helpful?
Sorry this didn’t help.
Great! Thanks for your feedback.
How satisfied are you with this reply?
Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.
How satisfied are you with this reply?
Thanks for your feedback.
The end of your demonstration gave me a good chuckle J . Is this issue limited to this user account? Can you create another one and test if it is reproduced there? Let’s also try a clean boot and see if the issue persists:
How to perform a clean startup:
Step 1: Start the System Configuration Utility
ClickStart , type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.
Step 2: Configure Selective Startup options
- In theSystem Configuration Utility dialog box, click Selective Startup on theGeneral tab.
- Click to clear theLoad Startup Items check box.
Note The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable. - Click theServices tab.
- Click to select theHide All Microsoft Services check box.
- ClickDisable All, and then click OK.
- When you are prompted, clickRestart.
Step 3: Determine whether the problem is resolved
- After the computer starts, try to start the affected game or program to determine whether the problem is resolved.
- If the problem does not occur after you restart, the interference is occurring because of a background program or service. In this case, see the «Determine what is causing the problem» section.
- If the problem returns after you perform a clean startup, the interference is not occurring because of a background program or service. In this case, this article cannot resolve your problem. See the «How to return Windows to Normal startup mode» section to return your computer to the original startup mode. Then, go to the «Next steps» section for other resources that may help you resolve this problem.
Determine what is causing the problem:
Step 1: Start the System Configuration Utility
ClickStart , type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.
Step 2: Enable half of the Services items
- Click theServices tab, and then click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box.
- Click to select half of the check boxes in theServices list.
- ClickOK.
- When you are prompted, clickRestart.
Step 3: Determine whether the problem is resolved
- If the problem still occurs after you restart the computer, follow these steps:
-
- Repeat Step 1 and Step 2 except that, in Step 2, click to clear half of the check boxes in theServices list that you originally selected.
- If the problem still occurs after another restart, click to clear half of the remaining check boxes again until one service is running when the problem occurs.
-
- If the problem does not occur after a restart, reverse the selection of check boxes. Repeat this process until you can isolate the one service that is running when this problem occurs.
- If the problem does not occur after you restart the computer, follow these steps:
-
- Repeat Step 1 and Step 2 except that, in step 2, click to select half of the cleared check boxes.
- If the problem still does not occur after another restart, click to select half of the cleared check boxes again. Repeat this process until you have selected all the check boxes and the problem still does not occur.
-
- If the problem occurs after a restart, click to clear half of the check boxes that you last selected. Repeat this process until you can isolate the one service that is running when this problem occurs.
If you can isolate one service that is selected when the problem occurs, that service is the one that causes the problem. If you cannot isolate any service in this manner, a startup item might be causing the problem.
If you determine that a service is causing the problem, go to Step 6. If you determine that no service is causing the problem, go to Step 4.
Step 4: Enable half of the Startup items
- Start the System Configuration Utility. To do this, see Step 1.
- Click theStartup tab, and then click to select half of the check boxes in theStartup list.
- ClickOK.
- When you are prompted, clickRestart.
Step 5: Determine whether the problem is resolved
After you complete Step 4, click to clear theHide All Microsoft Services check box. Then, repeat the steps in Step 3, except that you are now working in theStartup list instead of in the Services list.
Step 6: Resolve the problem
After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration Utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.
How to return Windows to a Normal Startup Mode:
- ClickStart in the Start Search box.
- Typemsconfig, and then press ENTER.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.
- On theGeneral tab, click Normal Startup — load all device drivers and services, and then clickOK.
- When you are prompted, clickRestart.
Lisa
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
