Windows back page arrows greyed out

xectis · 27 Nov 2018

I have Windows 7 SP1. A strange thing has happened recently whereby when I open a window, say 'Downloads', a new window will open for that and if I open any file on the Download section then a separate window will open. Basically the back arrow is greyed out for anything I click on so I would have to close each window individually. The more windows I open the more I have to close individually. Could this be some kind of virus? Any help appreciated.

Megahertz07 · 27 Nov 2018

Welcome to the Forum.

Windows is a OS and under it you have many programs.
Please explain "whereby when I open a window, say 'Downloads' ". Are you referring under Windows Explorer? How do you open a "window"?

xectis · 27 Nov 2018

Perhaps I didn't explain clearly. Please look at this very short video below. When I open a window within a window the back arrow key on the upper left corner is greyed out so I have to close the present window or minimize it to get back to the previous one. Basically I have to close multiple windows instead of getting back to the original window via the back arrow key.

Sample - YouTube

xectis · 27 Nov 2018

Megahertz07 said:

Welcome to the Forum.

Windows is a OS and under it you have many programs.
Please explain "whereby when I open a window, say 'Downloads' ". Are you referring under Windows Explorer? How do you open a "window"?

Sent a reply.

lehnerus2000 · 27 Nov 2018

xectis said:

I have Windows 7 SP1. A strange thing has happened recently whereby when I open a window, say 'Downloads', a new window will open for that and if I open any file on the Download section then a separate window will open. Basically the back arrow is greyed out for anything I click on so I would have to close each window individually. The more windows I open the more I have to close individually. Could this be some kind of virus? Any help appreciated.

Have you checked your "Folder Options"?

Maybe the settings have mysteriously changed.

Windows back page arrows greyed out-folder-options-general-open-folder-window.png

SIW2 · 27 Nov 2018

Check in program Files\internet explorer\ieproxy.dll

Make sure it is the same version you have installed.

xectis · 27 Nov 2018

SIW2 said:

Check in program Files\internet explorer\ieproxy.dll

Make sure it is the same version you have installed.

The folder options are ok, did a default restore just in case but still the same. The ieproxy.dll is the same version as IE.

wither 2 · 29 Nov 2018

Depending on which category you choose when you open Control Panel, the return arrows may or may not be there. It so happens the ones you chose in your video don't have the return arrow. Some of the others have dialogue boxes for making settings and those have never had a return arrow.

xectis · 10 Dec 2018

Am talking about the categories where there is an arrow back option. Unless someone knows exactly that causes this I take it it's some kind of virus in action.

wither 2 · 11 Dec 2018

On my system, the arrows aren't black when I open Administrative Tools. When I checked Display, the other day, I think the arrows weren't black either. They are today. (Actually, they're blue with a white arrow, I guess because of the Windows colors I'm using).

On the other hand, I noticed today that I don't have either "adjust brightness" or "connect to a projector" as options in Display. Different subject but not clear to me why I don't have those options.