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HelpLineYour computer problems solved with Jay Lee

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Double-click opens search instead of folder

Q.When I create a new folder on the desktop and then try to open it by double-clicking, it opens up the SearchCompanion. I have to right click the shortcut and then left click on Open or Explore to be able to simply view the

contents of the folder. Any thoughts? No one around here can make a guess.

A.According to Microsoft, this behavior can occur when you open the Edit File Type dialog box for the Drive or File Folder

registered file types.

For example, say you were trying to add the Print Directoryfeature to a folder in XP. This change could cause the

problem you are describing.

Microsoft acknowledges that this is a problem in Knowledge Base article #321379and offers the following fix:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. Locate and then click the Default value under the following keys in the registry if this problem occurs with

folders:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell

If this problem occurs with drives:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell

3. Click Modify on the Edit menu.

4. Type none in the Value data box, and then click OK.

5. Quit Registry Editor.

I have also read on a few reputable sites of a quick fix that involves opening a command prompt and typing the following:

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

Start with the simple fix first unless you are completely comfortable editing your registry. If you do end up editing your

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registry please read this first:

How to back up, edit, and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Posted by Jay Leeon October 24, 2005 at 8:51 am| Permalink| 310 Comments

Categories: Operating System

310 Responses to Double-click opens search instead of folder

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Joshua Simmonssays:

November 10, 2005 at 1:48 pm

Thanks Man That helps Out Alot

Joe Blowsays:

January 7, 2006 at 9:49 pm

Dude, thanks for the regsvr32 /i shell32.dll fix. The regedit solution wasnt working.

Windows just did that screw up on its own.

Thanks.

Jeffsays:

February 27, 2006 at 4:37 pm

After fiddling unsuccessfully with views and control panel folder options, your simple command pasted into the run box, on the start menu, did the trick. Thanks for ending a long

time source of frustration with my desktop folders.

Michaelsays:

March 7, 2006 at 10:03 pm

I just wanted to sy thanks, Jay Lee I did a google search for this error, came across your fix and it worked perfectly!!! I love the internet.


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simonsays:

March 15, 2006 at 6:25 am

Thanks the regsvr32 fix worked!

Lisasays:

March 15, 2006 at 10:55 am

Thanks for the help. It took 2 minutes to fix my problem. I wouldnt have wasted 2 1/2 hours trying to fix this problem if I would have just done a google search from the start.

Microsoft was no help at all.

Thanks again.

Jasonsays:

March 21, 2006 at 5:17 am

Worked on my search open problem as well. Thanks.

Marksays:

April 17, 2006 at 6:58 pm

You are indeed saviour to so many of us =P

Cindysays:

April 18, 2006 at 11:27 pm

This is seriously the best help. Gah, the search popping up was so freakin annoying! I thank you~!

Blakesays:

May 18, 2006 at 1:32 pm

That command prompt info that you posted is the best soluton for this problem ever. Not sure where you got that but way to go.

Hans Fsays:

May 23, 2006 at 4:15 am

Thanks! Your solution worked like a charm! T he problem drove me crazy

Chipsays:

May 23, 2006 at 5:21 pm

Thank youthat was driving me crazy!

Dino DuGuaysays:

May 25, 2006 at 12:51 am

This piece of advice prevented me from formating my hard drive and re-installing windows!


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Thank you! You will now be added to my list of heroes.

JJsays:

May 28, 2006 at 1:50 am

The command prompt solution worked brilliantly, thank you so much. When will Microsoft get it right, I have sat here for hou rs trying to work it out and your fix did it in seconds!

Woohoooooo!!

JSsays:

June 9, 2006 at 7:56 pm

Thankyou the command prompt (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll) worked perfectly

Marcus Fitzpatricksays:

June 21, 2006 at 10:32 am

The registry hack worked for me first time round.

Ive bookmarked this page it case it happens again!! Thank you for that information it has saved me hours of frustrating fiddling.

Pravinsays:

June 23, 2006 at 1:25 am

Thanks a bunch for that simple line bro. Love the net!

Sandysays:

June 28, 2006 at 6:37 am

Thanks the command prompt solution was fantastic. Solved it instantly!

Estebansays:

July 22, 2006 at 2:46 pm

Jay Lee, I owe ya a favor! The regsvr32 line did the trick! This problem bugged me for more than a month because I was searching for something to fix it without hacking (and

probably FUBAR-ing) the registry. Dont know where you uncovered the fix, but man, you dooded it!! Thanks much, Jay.

Toni Marie Guggenbicklersays:

July 24, 2006 at 9:27 am

Didnt know what Id done to deserve that, it was really irratating. thanks for command prompt tip

Patricksays:

July 27, 2006 at 11:10 am

Add my 2 cents Thanks!! I did exactly that added the print directory. I love that Microsoft will tell you how to break something, but not fix it! Why isnt printing an explorer

window a default option?

Sorry for the bitching about Microsoft, thanks for the fix!!


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Umesh Indiasays:

July 28, 2006 at 7:34 am

Thanks so much man, this did the trick. you are welcome to come to india and have samosa and chutney with me at my place.

JIMsays:

August 3, 2006 at 10:15 am

The quick fix did the trick. Thanks a lot.

Jim

wilsays:

August 7, 2006 at 4:29 am

Cheers mate! the copy paste didnt work. but, 30 seconds in my reg fixed everything, I thought I was going to hemhorrage there for a while.

wil.mazerolle

Joeysays:

August 11, 2006 at 7:44 am

Man thanks a million.. the quick fix is FANTASTIC!! LOL

marcsays:

August 19, 2006 at 9:16 pm

I want to also thank you for that command prompt script. It also solved an extraordinarily annoying and ongoing problem for me. Thank you so much.

Dougsays:

August 20, 2006 at 8:16 pm

Thank you the regedit solution worked but I have no idea how it got started

Manikandansays:

August 23, 2006 at 4:33 am

Super..perfectly fine.. thanks a million

Karensays:

September 4, 2006 at 8:56 pm

That little trick with the command prompt was FAST and saved me the anxiety of messing with the registry. Wow thanks!!

ceesays:



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thanks so much!!!! life saver!

anisays:


WOW!!! Thank you!

As written by Lisa above: I wouldnt have wasted *hours* trying to fix this problem if I would have just done a google search from the start. Microsoft was no help at all.

Like everyone else here, BIG thank you!

and I wish Id done the google search earlier!

Philsays:

September 23, 2006 at 10:10 am

Thanks a lot Jay. Your regedit instructions got me sorted in no time.

Windows XP Professional 64 bit.

Jimsays:


Your command prompt suggestion worked a treat in under three seconds and all this after spending hours searching through Microsofts help pages with no success.

The search companion popping up was driving me crazy.

Grazi!

Wesley Bishopsays:


WORKS!!!! Thanks alot

Talsays:


thanks for the command option fixed a 2 year problem in seconds!

shysays:


thanks a lot dude, the regsvr32 /i shell32.dl works perfect!!

Edsays:

October 7, 2006 at 1:47 pm

Thanks. T he regsvr32 solution has solved a problem which had plagued me for 18 months.


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Andreasays:



worked like a dream thank you!

Mattsays:

October 12, 2006 at 7:59 am

Fantastic. Fixed a year-long problem for me, also.

Thanks so much!

Gonalosays:



works very well

thanks for sharing.

G.

Edwinsays:


Hi,

This saved me a lot of time and i really like to thank you for this.

Keep your site posted so that techs like me working on desktop issues can fix machines in less hours, Thank You so much, THANKS THANKS a lot

Scottsays:


Fixed a real problem. Thanks heaps, I appreciate it!!

Arunsays:


You brought me out of great trouble

thanks a lot for the solution

sasha djsays:


saved me a lot of time trying to figure out on my ownBIG HELPthanks again


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sasha djsays:


saved me a lot of time trying to figure out on my ownBIG HELPthanks again

Duncansays:

October 24, 2006 at 12:00 pm

Just wanted to say thanks for the tip on how to get folders to open instead of the search function opening when double-clicking You star!

Duncan

melissasays:


thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!

Sitaramsays:


regsvr32 /i shell32.dll is working perfectly.!!!

thanks a lot

Andysays:


Thanks for the solution, i thought it was only my computer with this problem but it seems like quite a few people have had the same problem!!!

adamsays:

November 2, 2006 at 9:48 am

Jay Lee, your quick fix by command regsvr32 /i shell32.dll works like magic, ending my long time frustration. thanks, thanks!

Rob Riddlesays:


Finally a quick and WORKING answer. Thank you for sharing you knowledge

samsunsays:


THANKS! I was getting so frustrated. That command did h trick. Thanks again, kind Sir

Jack Chensays:


typing none as default value also works perfectly for me. Thanks.


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Seetharami Reddysays:


Thanks alot.command line is working fine

coliflorsays:


Thank you! Thank you!:)

borksays:

December 3, 2006 at 6:19 pm

Thanks =] I have had this problem before, but a while ago I shut off the System Restore. Today, I was playin around with the icons for windows, I guess somethin happened.

Thanks again!

Briansays:


regedit trick worked great. You might add that they need to click the FILE in that folder though . . . Thanks a ton!

Kresimir Dominissays:

December 8, 2006 at 3:30 am

GJ solved the problem tnx man

Gringosays:


Thanks alot this fix the problem when i install Vista Transformation Pack

Ertansays:


Thanks,

That advice helped the problem a lot

Johnsays:


Worked like a charm!

Lintzsays:

January 1, 2007 at 1:24 am


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You are awesome.

The quick fix didnt work for me but a couple of minutes in the Registry Editor fixed an annoying problemand I aint the brightest guy in the world.

Thanks.

PWTsays:


This problem was driving me crazyMicrosoft was of no help. Your quick fix worked like a champ.

Alexsays:


Man thanks A LOT for your help minute after minute, hour after hour I was torturing myself trying to find an answer then the idea went over me- GOOGLE I found YOUR

solution THX once again

Martinsays:


Just took n this new client and thought, WTF? What did the previous consultant do? I-net and Google are the best source of information. There is no such thing as a unique

problem. This is just another example. Keep it lit!

G Csays:


LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! THIS SAVED ME A SYSTEM RESTORE POINT!! Funny it took me about 10 unique searches to find this one, goes to

show not to give up on the internet

btw, HP support is no help at all.

Stevesays:


Quick fix worked. Thanks. Also i have discovered how it happened in first place. I wanted to see file extensions, but instead of unticking the option in the view tab I had used the

file types tab and then in advanced I had ticked the show extension box. hope this helps

Renniesays:

January 12, 2007 at 10:05 am

Thank you so much for this easy solution. I`ve spent over 2 months with the annoying companion popping up every time I tried to open a drive.If only I did google search straight

away but didn`t think that anyone else would experience such a problem but finally I thought may beVery happy now

d0gsays:


Jay Lee I love you!!! big wet puppy licks


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Thank you, Jay Lee, for the fix. I, too, thought I had done something to screw things up. Your simple fix with the regedt32.exe is the bomb. Thanks again.

Nagendra Srinivassays:


Thanks. Actually the Registry worked for me. Earlier I had tried to register the dll which had failed. Thanks Much !

randalsays:


man, jay lee ROCKS. regsrv fixed it on the spot,

thanks,

Luthiensays:

February 6, 2007 at 7:27 am

Thanks man,

that just saved me the rest of the days work!

Saturnsays:


You are genius !! Noone till now could solve my problem but you did man !.. Thanks a million.

krishnasays:


Thank u,

It helped me also.

deeptootsays:


OMG i love you!!

Jimsays:


You are a savior thank you!

Mickysays:



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You are my new hero. T he registry fix did nothing to solve this incredibly annoying problem that Ive living with for two days. Thank you!

Mattsays:

March 19, 2007 at 5:21 pm

Oh man, this has been bugging me for ages but ive been putt ing off editing my regestry for as long as I could. Then like some kind of internet superhero, you arrived and solved

all my problems.

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll did the job perfectly without any messing about! Thanks so much!

Nannybevsays:

March 19, 2007 at 10:29 pm

I have had the same problem with Search companion, each time I go to open my disk folders

the companion pops up..very annoying, I dont know why it suddenly decided to do this !!! oh well thank you so much for your quick fix, I used regsvr32 /i shell32.dll prompt and

bingo !! my sanity is saved !! Thanks Microsoft Help . for nothing as usual !!!!

Im bookmarking this site for future probs.

ta again.

Steffi Msays:

March 20, 2007 at 6:33 am

Thanks! regsvr32 /i shell32.dllworked perfectly! BTW, it seems that this undoes the setting changes I made by mistake in tools->folder options->file types->advanced. I

accidentally set the find-action to default for the drives. So I believe you could create a new action there (open?) and set it to default? Well, whatever, just some of my

thoughts..:P

Dereksays:

March 20, 2007 at 4:01 pm

thanks, it worked, got it done in 5 min.

Iqbalsays:

March 25, 2007 at 2:35 am

Thanks a lot. The quick fix (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll) Worked like a magic in seconds. Just ran it.

Timsays:

March 28, 2007 at 10:53 am

Thanks! quick fix did the trick.

Rambosays:

March 30, 2007 at 4:05 am

Another thank you..

You have just saved me from going bald by pulling all my hair out in frustration.


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M Ysays:

March 30, 2007 at 10:33 am

Super fix. I did reset everything on my machine but nothing else worked. Txs.

Keithsays:

April 3, 2007 at 2:37 pm

Thanks!The quick fix also worked for the problem I was havingevery time I would double click a drive in My Computer a command prompt would pop up instead of opening the

drive. Now it opens the drive.

Darricksays:

April 4, 2007 at 4:02 pm

Thanks a lot!! T hat helped a bunch. Damn windows, why doesnt everyone work the same when installed?? Maybe I can call Bill and hell explain it to me.

Evansays:

April 5, 2007 at 6:37 am

Awesome. thank you so much!

mauriciosays:

April 6, 2007 at 1:54 am

Thankyou the command prompt (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll) worked perfectly

you save my life

Sedat Kumcusays:

April 7, 2007 at 7:24 pm

thanks. thanks. thanks Jey Lee. this solve easy and good. best regards..

randy holdwaysays:

April 9, 2007 at 12:02 pm

Your fix worked for me to some extent. I dont get search anymore when I left click a folder, now I get explorer, which I can live with. But it would be nice if the folders and drives

would simply open like they should. But this is much better than search, THANK YOU.

Sebsays:

April 9, 2007 at 7:11 pm

Yup regsvr32 /i shell32.dll fixed my problem, looks like this fix has hit the spot for a lot of people! I just dont understand why MS greyed out the edit and delete options under

folders file associations! Oh well, thanks a million!


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Ahmad Jeffreysays:

May 2, 2007 at 3:28 am

Thanks a lot man! Youve saved me from a really annoying problem.

All the best.

Ahsansays:

May 5, 2007 at 2:22 am

Yes, that work.

The regsvr32 /i shell32.dll is like a magic. Thank you soooooo much.

Frostsays:

May 6, 2007 at 1:25 am

omg!!!

it worked in 10 sec!!!

loveya!!

it was so annoying that i couldnt go to sleep n i was super tired!!

100000 THX to ya!!!!

Gurusays:

May 6, 2007 at 3:29 pm

The command line worked like a charm after a couple attempted system restores.

God bless you. The internet is rarely this helpful this fast.

Abhaysays:

May 10, 2007 at 2:13 am

Thnk yu so much for the tweak .Ive come across many irritating and frustrating probs in Win xp but this 1 jst made me realise how funny can the context menu functioned while

clicking on it . MAny ppl hav praised yu for such gracious deed hahaha .

Thnx again.

Villesays:

May 11, 2007 at 10:36 am

Omg Thanks !!

This problem annoyed the crap out of me, and couldnt find a solution until i google ur page.

THANKS!!!


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Mikeee says:

May 15, 2007 at 8:50 am

Thanks bro !!!!!!!!!!

Jimsays:

May 15, 2007 at 11:41 am

Though I would be totally confident working with the registry, I tried your quick fix idea for simplicity. WOW! Thanks! It worked like a charm!

Igor Furlendersays:

May 15, 2007 at 12:11 pm

Thank you so much. This has been driving me and it looks like everyone else crazy.

Niksays:

May 16, 2007 at 2:41 pm

Thanks man, i almost deleted my drive because of the problem. I have delete on reboot just under explore. but no more right clicking. Thanks again.

Elisays:

May 17, 2007 at 6:27 am

I had the search instead of open problem on my drives, fixed succesfully using the


command!

THANK YOU!!!

Chrissays:

May 19, 2007 at 6:14 am

thanks for the regsvr32 fix.

worked straight away and fixed my own attempt to fix the probleme

Kumarsays:

May 20, 2007 at 5:57 am

Thanks for the post Jay the command prompt and typing the following:regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

worked.

Great help to a problem that was driving me nuts

davoosays:

May 21, 2007 at 7:49 am

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH YEAH THANK U!!!! !!


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Ariksays:

May 26, 2007 at 10:19 am

This fix is still kickin tail in 07. Thanks sooo much, now my girlfriend doesnt have to use righ-click > open/explore to view the contents of a folder. WOOOOT!

Andreisays:

May 27, 2007 at 4:12 pm

Thanx a lot for the quick fix! My problem was the search window appearing everytime i tried to access a drive in My Computer. Works PERFECT! thanx a million

Wattysays:

June 1, 2007 at 8:05 pm

yessS! WOOHOO, whoever looked into this first is smart. haha

crimsysays:

June 2, 2007 at 4:03 pm

hey!!! thaksss the quick fix worked a charm!!! thankyou!

Adi Yusoffsays:

June 9, 2007 at 11:08 am

Thanks Jay Lee for the very simple but absolutely effective way to solve the problem.

Youre The Guy!

Eddiesays:

June 14, 2007 at 4:12 pm

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll, that one works, thanks

Stuartsays:

June 24, 2007 at 8:00 am

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell

worked for me, i remember playing about trying to change icon for my ext Hard drive but HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell trick did it..

Thanks alot mate, that was soooo frustrating!

Sherrysays:

June 24, 2007 at 12:14 pm

I have bben trying to clean my computer up (memory) and hadnt a clue what I did to cause this. I tried a few things that I thought I had done but alas none worked. It was great

that I did a search and you were first. This page was quick and easy to understand as well as the fix. THANK YOU!


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Travissays:

June 24, 2007 at 5:41 pm

Thanks a million regsvr32 /i shell32.dll fixed the problem immediatley

Robertsays:

June 29, 2007 at 11:07 am

You are a legend. That was going to drive me nuts.

The regsvr32 /i shell32.dll prompt worked a treat.

Thanks so much

Joesays:

July 5, 2007 at 8:43 pm

Yes!!!

Trippersays:

July 17, 2007 at 1:42 am

Also worked for auotmatic display of Command window after single left click in attempt to display folders in Windows drives (C, D, etc.) folders. Good Work, and Thank You!

fefesays:

July 24, 2007 at 12:04 pm

thanks (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll works for me)

Meeshasays:

July 25, 2007 at 5:37 am

thanks .

its reallly works

it helps lotzzzzzzz

willemsays:

July 27, 2007 at 5:42 pm

thanks alot jay lee

it works

mayasays:

August 2, 2007 at 11:27 am

this resolution helped me on a webtop call

thanks so much.


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it really works.

Sridharsays:

August 7, 2007 at 11:00 am

Yeah JAY.. Really you are a Genius.You know being i am a sys admin for 4 yrsit drove me mad to find on the internet..

BUT UR SOLUTION TOOK JUST A MIN.I must have wasted 10 hrs already

ONCE AGAIN THANK YOUKEEP IT UP.. and KEEP Helping..

BEST REGARDS

Sridhar

Niltonsays:

August 9, 2007 at 7:39 pm

the regsvr32 /i shell32.dll works great thanx

bishunauth jagsarransays:

August 22, 2007 at 10:02 pm

Thanks a million for your help! It really works.

michellesays:

August 23, 2007 at 4:20 am

Thank you it took 10 seconds to fix, and it was so easy, like someone else mentioned you saved me another trauma of resetting my pc (once again)

RXsays:

August 24, 2007 at 6:25 am

nailed it

Sailorsays:


Thanks very much for that fix, a professional computer repairman could not fix it. I pasted and copied and BINGO cracked it. I am putting you down for a gold star.

Thanks

Dominicsays:


WOW thanks SO much you saved me and my sister from spending 140 for each computer to fix this and the soulotuion IS SIMPLE wow i should of known


nice


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nawnilsays:


thanks

regsvr32 /i shell32.dll is work

Sergiosays:


Hey!!, thanks a lot.

My problem started trying to add the Print Directory feature to a folder in XP.


was the solution.

Joe Matasays:


I

have a problem with my PC at home. My File Folder

wont open when I right click it or doubled click. I

check in My Document\Tools\Foldr Options\File

Types\File Folder\Advanced. There is three different

commands in the action box; find, open, Openn. When I

open a File Folder it ask me Open With Choose the

program you want to use to open this file How do I

fix this problem of mine? If you could please help

me. Thank you for your time.

bennysays:


Thanks!

Saved me after houres of struggling with it

aliaasays:


thank you so much

Briansays:



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Wow, I to was plauged by a command prompt opening when double clicking on my drives. the registery settings worked. Thanks for your help!

Cristysays:


thanks so much for the info, fixed me up in less than a minute!!

kaustuvsays:


thanks.i have to try iy..i am suffring from same problem after deleting torjon horse virus from my systemhope it will workthanks again

Elsasays:


thank you thank you thank you , you are a god! or at least a demi-god!

boeppenssays:


somebody pay this man loads of money!

Thanks dude, worked a charm and ended hours of fru itless complicated nothingness.

Lawrence Shawcrosssays:


you know what 7 years experience and you click your fingers with the solution you are a GOD!!! anyone who disagrees is a fool!!! (Go on T ell The Computer Your Not!!!!)

GIRIsays:

October 26, 2007 at 11:15 am

eXCEELENT //// THANKS ALOT

harrysays:


thank you iwas getting ticked off iknew somethingt we`nt wrong when i was fixing the letters for my hard drives thanx

ralphsays:


Thanks for a super EASY fix! Was more than a problem.

Johnsays:



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Not tried it yet but need to on a friends system. After reading all the great responses Im sure it will work fine.

Very helpful, thanks

Justinsays:

October 29, 2007 at 11:27 pm

Thanks Jay. The regsvr32 /i shell32.dll in the command prompt worked great.

Gauravsays:


Thanks .It worked out perfect

ericsays:


Jay, the command regsvr32 /i shell.dll worked like a charm. Its one of the reasons I hate Bill Gates and his lousy products but people like you help keep the millions going. Saved

me loads of time. Group hug for you dude.

Pollysays:


OMG!!!Th is problem has plagued me for months! Several forays into the as usual USELESS Microsoft knowledge base NADA!And now with your fix VOILA gone in 2

seconds!. Jay, TU,TU,TU x a million!

Thanks too to Steve at January 12, 2007 08:45 AM, for illuminating the likely reason!

Tabrezsays:


Thanks mate.. works perfectly

Nutzusays:


Man U ARE AWESOME !!! Thx dude, this command do all the trick >>> regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

I LOVE U

Mariannesays:


Yep. Me too! Thanks for that!

nessays:



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class fix..

Malachisays:


Thank You! Took 2 seconds to run the command and fix this super annoying problem! Most satisfying solution to any problem ever!

manicsays:


Thank you very much

I can verify this works on Windows 98 as well.A friend had an old laptop afflicted with this evil bug that he brought to me.

One note though, on 98 if its not pathed correctly, you have to change directory to windows/system32 for the command line attempt above to work. For me that still didnt fix it

though, so I had to do the regedit.

Of note in my case, not only was find the value listed instead of none, but there were also several FIND sub keys to other actions (including repeated finds) under the main

shell key. After they were deleted, It just went through the list preforming the next action until I removed *all* of them. This might just be behavior peculiar to Win98 though.

If you have to do that though, make very, *VERY* sure you back up the registry keys in case something blows up. Still spooky though.

Eladsays:


thank you.. first one worked

Rakeshsays:



Thanks a lot it has worked.

David Parrissays:


Wow, worked for me also. Ive had this problem for a few years now. Funny, advice he gave a couple of years ago is still helping people.

MJsays:



Still works like a charm. Thanks so much!!!!

tomsays:


Thanks


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Microsoft KB no help at all.

Your fix regsvr32 /i shell32

worked fine.

Fredsays:


Many thanks: worked a treat! My Hero!!

SusanAsays:


Thank heavens! The quick fix did the trick.

All i did was change some icons, and this annoying thing happened. Really appreciate the help.

sayansays:December 29, 2007 at 1:58 am

Thanks for the code.

It was really very helpful

Gaithsays:


oh my god!!! i was so desperate thinking of what the hell i should do to fix my problem, and then with ur simple command line help it all went away, thank you so much man, best

of luck to you

ilanggosays:

January 13, 2008 at 12:44 am

thanks alot.. ur command helps alot..

ur a genius

Benjaminsays:


Thanks for that. The regedit thing worked like a charm

Vikram Goyalsays:


Thanks a lot, I am able to solve my problem with the given command

Anthony Psays:


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SUPERB I was going nuts trying to figure it

plus it was so annoying.The command was perfect

THANK YOU

Anthony P from Sri Lanka

Ricksays:


Thank you Jay Lee. Your fix with the regedt32.exe

worked like a charm. It took all of two minutes to repair. I hope it only takes that long for my wife to forgive me for screaming like a maniac for the last three hours.

Kaleemsays:


Thanks Jay Lee for the regsvr32 /i shell32.dll solution.

Richsays:


Thank you!

The command prompt (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll) worked perfectly!

The problem was driving me CrAzY!!!

ankursays:


Seriously dude you are my hero

karunsays:


Thankyou for the command prompt solution (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll) worked perfectly

Jimsays:


Thanks! The command prompt solution did the trick!

Nobodysays:


Your help just keeps on giving and giving.


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I love you!!!!says:

March 1, 2008 at 11:42 am

Thank you so much. In 7 seconds on google I found your fix, with another 4 seconds I used the one-line fix and it worked!

naveensays:

March 1, 2008 at 12:12 pm

thanks dude..the change in the registry helped and it worked in a flash

Marksays:

March 2, 2008 at 11:45 am

The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell edit worked flawlessly. Thank you for saving me countless hours of research. Thanks a million.

dansays:

March 6, 2008 at 12:09 am

Quick fix. Top search result on google, for good reason. used regsvr32 /i shell32.dll fixed in a snap.

eusays:

March 6, 2008 at 3:09 am

thanxthat helped..10x a lot

RedDragansays:

March 8, 2008 at 7:10 am

First result in Google

First time Fix

First Class Guy you are a hero!

Briansays:

March 14, 2008 at 1:05 pm

Worked for me, thanks

nikssays:

March 18, 2008 at 10:51 pm

thanks a lots dude..The command prompt (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll) worked perfectly!

nikssays:

March 18, 2008 at 10:52 pm


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The command prompt (regsvr32 /i shell32.dll) worked perfectly!

Eyakemsays:

March 21, 2008 at 6:31 am

Thanks man, perfect fix! Been to microsoft for help but their idea was really micro and soft, pity #321379 even sound like combat code . YOU ROCK!

N Upadhyaysays:

March 25, 2008 at 10:49 pm

Thats works like magic

fabsays:

April 7, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Thanks a million regsvr32 /i shell32.dll did the trick. Ive been living w/that damn flaw for weeks.

chrissays:

April 19, 2008 at 3:16 am

cheers, mate

you are a life saver was so frustrated

halo_nothingsays:

April 20, 2008 at 5:44 pm

Thank you so very much. Its evident theres a lot of people pretty happy with the fix you posted.

Zoestersays:

April 23, 2008 at 6:08 am

I have been networking and programming for 22 years now and I love the ability to ask a world a beginners, novice and experts a question. The regsvr32 command worked

perfectly. Thank you for your suggestion. It is great to ask a question and have a over a million people and more to ask.

Thank you

Claudiasays:

April 24, 2008 at 8:20 pm

Goodness me thank you so much! I was trying to make my desktop pretty by changing icons and folders and suddenly the search folder happened! I tried the microsoft solution

but it did nothing. I was really nervous about doing the command prompt (I didnt even know what it was! >.Goodness me thank you so much! I was trying to make my desktop

pretty by changing icons and folders and suddenly the search folder happened! I tried the microsoft solution but it did nothing. I was really nervous about doing the command

prompt (I didnt even know what it was! >.< I had to google it ) In the end I typed regsvr32 /i shell32.dll pressed enter and voila! a beautiful pop up said it was all fixed. wohoo.

thank you so much!

Briansays:

April 29, 2008 at 12:14 am


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Thanks Jay, like the others, you saved my sanity.

Marcsays:

April 30, 2008 at 6:43 pm

beautiful. Worked as described. Thank you.

Paulsays:

May 1, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Thanks dude, Im so used to something going wrong with a computer and seemingly no one else in the world having the same problem, but one quick google search led me here

and the command prompt fixed everything. Props.

Billsays:

May 3, 2008 at 10:23 pm

I TOTALLY agree with Paul Windows just started

doing this on its own and after Googling several

word phrases I got your quick and easy fix!

THANKS YOUR THE MAN!!!!

Bill

anilsays:

May 19, 2008 at 8:05 am

Thanks for help.

leslie says:

May 21, 2008 at 3:50 am

Thank you so very much!

KNIGHT SERVERsays:

May 24, 2008 at 11:12 am

After looking for a program that would stop opening the search, this artical only took me a minute. Thx alot to Jay Lee.

jaysays:

May 29, 2008 at 11:35 am

Thanks for this solution. Worked great

Rainer Schnellesays:

May 31, 2008 at 4:54 pm


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The registry hack workedamazing! Thanks a lot

Caeciliasays:

July 22, 2008 at 10:01 am

Thanks! You rock! Used quick fix and it was all better in 10 seconds.

briansays:

July 23, 2008 at 5:50 pm

many thanks jay after 3 hours your reg+ sorted me in seconds many many thanks brian

Dieselsays:

July 24, 2008 at 11:37 pm

Thank you soo much those were great directions!!!

I. Ceedsays:


Just cant describe how helpful the registry hack has been to me. Just superb.

Thanks Jay

John Denversays:

August 13, 2008 at 7:14 pm

I WAS HACKED HARDOCRE, THANKS!

-Bill

Mikesays:

August 14, 2008 at 3:03 pm

was able to fix a problem that had been nagging for 2 weeks with one little command line

Thank You

sunnysays:

August 26, 2008 at 9:12 pm

thanks a lot man.regsvr32 /i shell32.dll worked perfectly fine

Hawksays:

August 27, 2008 at 2:18 pm

Thanks man, this works perfectly for me.


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Big Asays:


Hey, the regsvr32 /i shell32.dll worked in an instance. T hanks, the Search Companion was getting annoying. Thanks again.

millionsays:


thanks alot this thing really worked after 1 year tryna fix it lol thanks

Adamsays:


Hello, i reccommend you dont to the registery changing

I reccommend the command prompt one..

Its more easyer and it fixes the problem..

A huge thanks to you

Chris Poyntonsays:


Thank you so much! Last time this happened I was stuck with the problem for ages!

Simonsays:


Thanks, It had been driving me mad for weeks, fix works great

TheThronedCsays:


Thank you sooo much! I googled this and the i shell32.dll way helped me!! I appreciate this so much. You are a great great help!

ndimossays:


Thanks! Simple and really helpful!!!

darkfairysays:


Thank you so much!

Manoj Padhyesays:



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Even after passing Microsoft MCP certification & working as IT desktop administrator for year, I could not solve the drive & folder opening problems. This solution was mind

blowing!! It just worked in fraction of seconds.. got rid of searching for registry help. Microsoft does nothing to solve such queries. Google search is the best option to get help

instantly. Thanks very much again for the solution

manonsays:


thanks a lot .u hv solved my problem jay

Robertsays:


AT last after all that looking I found this! THANK YOU!

Robertsays:


AT last after all that looking I found this! THANK YOU!

Guysays:


Jay, thanks man. So annoying! Haha

.says:


Thankyou

The regsvr32 /i shell32.dll worked a treat, was stuck with this for hou rs before finding your solution.

Thankyou

Rana Imransays:


It helps a lot. I was driven mad by thinking that I GOT a VIRUS/TROJAN again .

Thanx DUDE

roliesays:


whoaa.. Thanks dude,

I really pissed off.. I just wanted to change the icons of my folders and ended by doubleclicking-search window shit.

So, really thanks,,

BTWthe regedit is not workin


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just the regsvr32 using the cmd prompter

satheeshsays:


thnx a lot man..had this problem for almost a year..thought it was a virus or something shud hav googled it long ago.U ROCK!!!

Sandeepsays:


Hey,

I really wanna thanks to this site that he solved my problum.

Thanks again.

Keep up the good work.

omsairamanasays:December 13, 2008 at 11:15 am

Thanks Jay!!

Your regsvr32 /i shell32.dll worked fine.

After running various virus scans and trying to delete ini files and altering folder properties

I was getting frustrated.

Your solution solved it in seconds!

Thanks once again

All the best and God bless you.

goce Macedoniasays:


this with command promt was the best solution in the windows history :):):):)

ericsays:


Holy crap your a genius Jay!! Thank you so much!!

Paul Bannersays:


I used the command prompt regsvr32 /i shell32.dll and it worked just like that! Note that it takes several seconds to execute and then Windows displays a confirmation.

Thank you sincerely!

Paul


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sivakumarsays:


My company Lot of computer having that problem. i have used regsvr32 /i shell32.dll register file then the problem is solved.

I realy thanks a lots to this site that he solved my problum.

Zaynasays:


You absolute star. Copied and pasted and fixed in 2 seconds. A million thank yous! xx

Dhirusays:

January 16, 2009 at 12:17 am

this is very fantastic solution

Which is not solved by My IT department

And i showed this soluation to them they surprised and before problem solved they said that my computer have virus problem you scann it

i have scanned my pc lot of time but it was still problematic

MANY MANY THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND GOD PLEASE GIVE HIM LOT OF STRENGH IN HIS PROFESSION

ONCE AGAIN MANY MANY THANKS

Gussays:

January 16, 2009 at 10:46 am

That little regsvr32 /i shell32.dll did the trick for me. Its been driving me carzy for the past few daze! I thought my problem started from the Rose.exe virus/malware but It was

still there after I removed the bug. Like others said, much thanks for the fix and leaving this posted for all these years. You restored whats left of my sanity here in Florida!!!

RAM ADITYAsays:


Thanks man. The registry editing way helped me and you saved my day. T hanks a lot man.

Anonymoussays:


the regsvr32 /i shell32.dll fixed it for me Thank you for the information.

Dwightsays:


Thank you thank you.. the command prompt corrected my problem!


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Jim K.says:

April 7, 2009 at 8:46 am

Thanks for the regsvr32 /i shell32.dll solution to left-click opening search. I was beginning to go mad over this one but your solution worked in ten seconds. Brilliant. Ill be visiting

this site regularly.

Jimsays:

April 12, 2009 at 6:36 am

Thanks for the quick fix worked very well. Its been driving me crazy for a couple of days oh well thats windows for you.

cccsays:

April 12, 2009 at 6:05 pm

thx

James Andrewssays:

April 14, 2009 at 10:05 am

Bingo!

Moumitasays:

April 16, 2009 at 9:35 am

Thank you so much! Your solution has made life easy for so.. many of us. T hanks again!

Jonsays:

April 22, 2009 at 4:39 am

Thanks a mill!!

spent ages trying 2 work it out!!!

Adwaresays:

May 1, 2009 at 10:18 pm

Thanks. T he cmd fix worked out. Thats alot of comments!

Kaveh Torkanpourisays:

May 4, 2009 at 3:48 pm

Thanks, My problem has been solved.

Kimsays:

May 13, 2009 at 8:15 am


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thank you for this i didnt have to wait for IS dept to come out

Nicksays:

May 18, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Thankyou very much!

had to use the quick fix.

Priyasays:

May 21, 2009 at 1:18 am

Yah! shell command really works fine . Thanks Jay Lee. This really helps me a lot.

hannasays:

June 29, 2009 at 12:38 am

Thank you so much for this quick fix. Worked like a charm.

Nisssays:

July 3, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Thank you!

Gauravsays:

July 13, 2009 at 11:43 pm

thanks dude. it worked

IT techsays:

July 14, 2009 at 8:17 pm

YES! Worked for me too. The regsvr32 /i shell32.dll did the trick! Many thanks!

VullnetBsays:

July 22, 2009 at 6:45 am

thanks man it really worked with regsvr32 /i shell32.dll thanks again

purushothsays:


Thanks a lot.

Now its working

Fansays:


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August 7, 2009 at 12:04 am

Thanks a lot!

Joshsays:

August 14, 2009 at 8:16 am

Dang that really helped! I had been stuck with that thing for about four months and now i can finally get into my files. Thank You!

Joe Zammittasays:


Thanks, the command line worked. Ive been messing with that for weeks and found this site with a standard Google search. I love Google.

arvasays:


You are a superstar my problem is solved.

Christine Bloomquistsays:


Was cleaning up PC DUH. Dont know what I did waster at least 6 hours trying everything. Came to Microsoft, got to answer site HOORAY. Thanks. Read your column in

the Houston Chronicle regularly but was still using 98 when you published answer. THANK YOU!!

aresays:


thank you thank you thank you!

swagrampsays:


THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!! ~.~

trgprasadsays:


Cool man its working .keep posting tricks

Melissasays:


Came across this in a google search when looking up my problem and immediatly tried your trick after reading the comments on how it worked and indeed it worked perfectly on

the 1st try! Thanks! ^_^


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Arashsays:


greate! thaks a lot, the command prompt solution was really straight forward!

samitsays:


thanks a lot it fix my problem. really great help.

vishalsays:


Thank you very much

normansays:


Hey Ive been trying to figure this problem out for a month now, and the solution was as easy as 1,2,3 after reading you solution thanks alot.

Sukanyasays:


Thanks a lot dude!!!!!!!

The command prompt thingy worked.

Great help

U r a genius!


double-click opens search instead of folder _ helpline _ a chron.com blog

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