Solved Windows Explorer Double-Click Broken

[Gamescook]

I am having trouble opeing folders normally. Every time I try to double click to open a folder through Windows Explorer, I am greeted with the message "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action." If I right-click, I can get in, but it's a huge hassle to use workarounds like that. Is there anything I can do to fix this? System Restore hasn't helped me a lick with this so far.

 

[Brink]

Hello Gamescook, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Try downloading and merging the Directory and Folder reg files in the tutorial below to see if that may fix this after a restart. They will restore the default associations for directories and folders.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Gamescook]

I tried many of them, such as exe, link, and reg, and none of them worked. I have installed Internet Explorer 9 Beta, but the problems didn't start immediately after getting that, so I doubt that was it. I can double-click and open most files, just not double-click open any folders in Windows Explorer.

 

[Brink]

You could also do a system restore using a restore point dated before you had this issue to undo and fix it for you.

 

[Gamescook]

I already tried doing a system restore to a whole day before I started having this issue. I'll try bring it even further back into the past, but I doubt it will help.

 

[yowanvista]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Also run a scan of malwarebytes in safe mode

 

[Gamescook]

I tried running that sfc /scannow, but it said that there were no violations to be found. I tried running Malewarebytes earlier today, but found nothing on the first go. I'll try again though. I REALLY do not want to spend up to $160 just for some local repair shop to take their time finding the solution to this, so I do appreciate the help I am getting right now.

 

[debugged]

In your registry look here:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\command

The (Default) string should have the value: %SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe

If it doesn't, then this is your problem.

 

[Gamescook]

I know what a registry basically is, but I only really know how to clean it out on ocassion through CCleaner. Where can I find the registry?

 

[mitchell65]

I know what a registry basically is, but I only really know how to clean it out on ocassion through CCleaner. Where can I find the registry?

Just Click the start button and type regedit in the search box. Take great care touching the registry if you are not absolutely sure what you are doing. In any case make a backup of the registry first.
There's a good tutorial here that I would recommend you read first:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4230-registry-backup-restore.html

 

[Gamescook]

It looks fine based on what you told me. This is really stumping me.

 

[Brink]

Gamescook,

Try downloading and merging the Directory and Folder options in the tutorial below again to see if that may fix this after a restart. I have updated them to include more locations.

Default File Type Associations - Restore

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Gamescook]

Okay, how the hell did you do that? It worked perfectly!

If I can't understand how you did it, can you maybe clue me in on what seemed to go wrong? Did I make it wonky? Was it maybe a virus? I hope I don't repeat any mistakes like this in the future. Thanks so much!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome. I'm happy to hear that they were able to help.

Normally the Folder and Directory protocols are not easily changed by the user. I went ahead and added to the REG files to remove these from the location in the registry that stores the user changes instead of just the normal locations to be more thorough.

 

[Gamescook]

Thanks again. I guess it was something foreign to my computer that did it, or unistalling something made it wonky. Thanks again, you all saved me from having to pay up to $160 for someone to faff about for four hours total over four days before finally fixing it themselves!

 

[Brink]

Anytime mate.