How to open folder in simple separate window?

CluelessInSeatl

New member
Local time
11:17 AM
Messages
23
I'm a low-income, disabled, senior, so I end up using other folks hand-me-down computers.

Last August I was given a PC running Windows 7, and to this day I can't figure out the first thing about that version of Windows.

For example, in the Windows Explorer in Win 2K and Windows XP, if I right click on a folder name, and then select "Open" what happens is a separate window showing just the contents of that folder opens up.

But in Windows 7 when I perform the same steps, instead of that simple clean little window, I end up with what looks like a second instance of the entire Windows Explorer GUI, complete with those three vertical panes, with the directory tree in the left pane and "Select a file to preview" in the right pane.

(I've checked the Organize > Folder and search options > Open each folder in its own window check box)

I'm hoping there's a way to configure the Windows 7 command in Windows Explorer "Open in new window" so that it will open a window similar to that simple window that Win 2K and Windows XP would display.

Can that be done? If so, I'd sure be grateful to anyone who could show me how to do it.

If not, then would it be possible to replace the Windows Explorer in Windows 7 with one of the earlier versions, such as the one in Windows XP.

Or might there be a third party replacement for Windows Explorer that would do the same thing?

Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
MS DOS 6.21, Win 2K, Win XP & Windows 7

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Back
Top