"Explore" option missing in Right-Click Context Menu

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  1. Posts : 45
    Windows 7 Professional 64Bit
       #1

    "Explore" option missing in Right-Click Context Menu


    Hi all,

    Is there a way to add the WinXP style "explore" option in the right click -folder- context menu?
    So the left window pane opens up the folder tree structure rather than using the right pane's folder view.

    Thanks in advance.
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  2. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #2

    Explore and Open are the same thing in Vista and 7. The Folder tree, now called Navigation Pane is always visible unless hidden by the user.
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  3. Posts : 45
    Windows 7 Professional 64Bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    ok I have XP at work - 'explore' in XP opens a new windows with the navigation pane (left pane folder tree structure) view whereas 'open' just opens the standard folder view...

    There must be some reg hack to get that option back similar to the 'search' option in the context menu's?
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  4. Posts : 288
    Windows 7 64-bit
       #4

    Suely you have the 'Explore' (Windows Explorer) icon on your taskbar. One-click and you're there. Less than the right-click and select in XP.
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  5. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #5

    If you are wanting to open in a new window, Hold Shift then right click.
    But there is no "Explore" or "Open" distinction in Windows 7, they are exactly the same.
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  6. Posts : 288
    Windows 7 64-bit
       #6

    Sorry that I'm jumping in here, but I'm mystified by this thread. Surely, you just right-click the relevant folder and the option 'open in new window' is there amongst the options. No need for holding shift at all.
    I must be misunderstanding this whole thing. It's been a bad day!
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  7. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #7

    Nahtimu said:
    Hi all,

    Is there a way to add the WinXP style "explore" option in the right click -folder- context menu?
    So the left window pane opens up the folder tree structure rather than using the right pane's folder view.

    Thanks in advance.
    Hello Nahtimue,

    You can right click on a folder and click on Open in new window for one way. You can also use the tutorial below to set how you want folders to open for same or new window.

    Open each Folder in the Same or Own Separate New Window

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
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  8. Posts : 45
    Windows 7 Professional 64Bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Sorry guys maybe I'm not being clear here...
    I use explorer extensively so the issue is not how to open Exlorer or where to find Explorer icons or open Explorer in it's own windows, etc... please.

    Does anybody remember in Win XP 'Open' & 'Explore' actually behaved differently? The Explore option opened a new window and the important thing is it opened up the FOLDER TREE STRUCTURE - which expanded the child sub-folders automatically.

    In a nutshell, the reason it's nice to have is you can right click on a specific folder to Explore it's subfolders, rather than the current displayed folders and files. There are uses for this.

    There was a reg-hack to insert the 'search' option back and I was hoping that there may be a hack to add the Explore option back...
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  9. Posts : 1,403
    Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #9

    I thought, at first you might be asking about Navigation Pane is always visible, to the best of my knowledge, you can not get rid of the left side navigation pane.

    The Explore option opened a new window and the important thing is it opened up the FOLDER TREE STRUCTURE - which expanded the child sub-folders automatically.
    Also, in Explorer, Hit Alt
    Tools / Folder Options
    General / Navigation pane
    Check both boxes ( Navigation Pane - Show All Folders and Navigation Pane - Automatically expand to current folder )
    Now when you Right Click and choose "open in new window"
    It will auto expand the folders sub folders on the left.


    Also, get used to using the Bread Crumbs in the Address Bar at top.
    Click the little Arrows between folders and get a list of subs. It's very nice feature. You might find it useful.


    Note: there is still a slight bug that the folders on the nav pane don't act right, and scroll up where you have to scroll down a bit to see the rest of the folders. Hopefully this will be fixed in SP1.
    Last edited by Brink; 27 Aug 2010 at 00:34. Reason: added links
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  10. Posts : 45
    Windows 7 Professional 64Bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Also, in Explorer, Hit Alt
    Tools / Folder Options
    General / Navigation pane
    Check both boxes
    Now when you Right Click and choose "open in new window"
    It will auto expand the folders sub folders on the left.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Thanks Tepid, this is the closest to understanding what I'm trying to convey. I will definately try that later on, that may do the trick...

    Also, for our small user-base (some have moved over to Win7), they have very valid reasons why they need the explorer to behave as it did in XP, with the 'explore' option. Maybe I can record it and post it somewhere...

    And due to the nature of my work (IT Support) I am very familiar with bread crumbs, backspace, navigating using various methods, etc... I think it's one of those things that you'd need to see it in action to realise how important Explorer is...

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Anyway I think I've unwillingly confused a few people here and I was just hoping someone else who uses explorer extensively would know what I'm on about...
    But I think this thread should be closed now..

    Thanks to all that have replied :) Cheers.
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