Need Help Re: Windows Explorer Search Pop-Up

Hello all:
I need some help with some odd behavior in Windows Explorer. When I double-click on folders in the navigation pane (left pane) it behaves as expected, the clicked folder appears on the right-hand pane. But if I double-click on a folder in the right-hand pane, a new window pops up with the words "search results" in the address bar at the top. It does not show the folder contents in the original window (Windows Explorer). I am forced to use the left-hand pane to navigate.

One thing that may be related to this issue: in addition to Windows Explorer, I use Xplorer2. I think this has something to do with my problem. On the toolbar in Windows Explorer there is a menu labeled "search" with the Xplorer2 icon. Upon clicking it, the same "search results" window pops up.

So, is there anyone out there that can help me with this?

If this is being caused by Xplorer, and it sounds like it is, then if there is no option in xplorer to make it stop, you may have to live with it. Have you checked on their support site?

No, I haven't checked their support site. Unfortunately, their site lacks good info, but I think if I emailed them they might be able to help out. I vaguely recall having to contact them in the past for some random issue. I'll try that, but I still have hope that someone here may be able to help.

siouxdax said:

So, is there anyone out there that can help me with this?

Click to expand...

I am an Xplorer2 user and I suspect you may have left the option to replace the Windows Explorer with Xplorer2 interface at Xplorer2 install. It seems to me that you are indeed seeing the Xplorer2 window.

I mistakenly did this back when I installed Xplorer2 on my Win7 release candidate environment. I didn't spend a lot of time searching for the way to undo this option since I knew I would be reinstalling at Win7 retail install, but I am confident there is a way.

If no one else chimes in I will search for this way to see if it helps.

Okay, found something in the default programs window. Try this:

1) Start Orb > Default Programs (on the right under the Devices and Printers menu choice), then click the "Set your default programs" link at the top.

2) Click the "Windows Search Explorer" on the left, and then see if Xplorer has this association listed in the middle of that window. If so, see if changing it back to Windows Explorer by choosing the option at the bottom of the window fixes this behavior.

BeechV35Pilot said:

Okay, found something in the default programs window. Try this:

1) Start Orb > Default Programs (on the right under the Devices and Printers menu choice), then click the "Set your default programs" link at the top.

2) Click the "Windows Search Explorer" on the left, and then see if Xplorer has this association listed in the middle of that window. If so, see if changing it back to Windows Explorer by choosing the option at the bottom of the window fixes this behavior.

Click to expand...

I followed your instructions, and unfortunately it was fruitless; it showed that Windows Explorer was already the default. There was no mention of Xplorer2. Your mention of Xplorer2 replacing Windows Explorer sounds familiar. Is that option only available when installing Xplorer2? Would reinstalling Xplorer2 make any difference? Also, if I understood you correctly, the search window that pops up is Windows Explorer related, not anything to do with Xplorer2. I'm so happy with W7 that it irritates me to no end that I'm having this issue. LOL.

A quick search of Zabkat's forums shows that to undo this setting, you have to make changes to the registry. In fact, the latest version of xplorer2 includes a file called "UndoFolderAssociation.reg," located in the program's installed folder, which can be imported into your registry simply by double-clicking on it. Before doing this, though, I recommend backing up your registry first.

For more information about this change, you can also read the top paragraph in the registry.txt file, also included in the xplorer2 program folder.

BeechV35Pilot said:

A quick search of Zabkat's forums shows that to undo this setting, you have to make changes to the registry. In fact, the latest version of xplorer2 includes a file called "UndoFolderAssociation.reg," located in the program's installed folder, which can be imported into your registry simply by double-clicking on it. Before doing this, though, I recommend backing up your registry first.

For more information about this change, you can also read the top paragraph in the registry.txt file, also included in the xplorer2 program folder.

Click to expand...

I am going to wait until my PC-savvy friend can look over this and do the dirty work for me, as I have little experience in tampering with the registry. So I'm crossing my fingers that this will do the trick. I will report back with the results ASAP.

Daniel, overnight (for the East Coast US) I received a reply from the Zabkat author in reply to my question about how to restore Windows Explorer as the default. This is his advice, which differs from using the registry file he includes, perhaps because it is the lowest risk to the system's health:

The easiest way is to uninstall xplorer2 (DON'T remove its registry
settings) then reinstall it leaving the "replace explorer" tickbox cleared.
For more information see:
www.zabkat.com/blog/11Jan09-default-folder-association.htm

Click to expand...

BeechV35Pilot said:

Daniel, overnight (for the East Coast US) I received a reply from the Zabkat author in reply to my question about how to restore Windows Explorer as the default. This is his advice, which differs from using the registry file he includes, perhaps because it is the lowest risk to the system's health:

The easiest way is to uninstall xplorer2 (DON'T remove its registry
settings) then reinstall it leaving the "replace explorer" tickbox cleared.
For more information see:
www.zabkat.com/blog/11Jan09-default-folder-association.htm

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

OMG! It worked! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! I was worried that I was going to have to live with this annoying little blighter. I've been going so ga-ga over my new Win7 install that something small like this would tarnish my new-found love of my desktop. I can't thank you enough. You totally went above and beyond. I can't remember the last time someone did all of the "dirty work" for me, or anyone else for that matter. Once again, thank you!

Happy to read of your success, Daniel.

I have been a big fan of xplorer2 for a few years now. Interesting to note that the author of this utility actually does NOT recommend choosing the option for xplorer2 to replace the Windows Explorer - instead he recommends xplorer2 augment it. Apparently he added this option to replace the default handling of folders only at the request of many users.

I tend to agree with him, about it augmenting Windows Explorer; or at least now that I have Win7. Prior to Win7 I never used Windows Explorer. Now that it's been revamped I use it almost as much as I do Xplorer2. In a way they are two different animals.