Folder/subfolder problems with shortcut

[Tapros]

(Resolved) Folder/subfolder problems with shortcut

My System Specs:
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 1 GenuineIntel ~3211 Mhz
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 566.23 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.41 GB
Hard Drive Space 250GB


Recently I have tried to run an old game called "Kings Quest: Mask of Eternity" I set the compatibility for this .exe file that launches this game using the shortcut menu and going to properties on the .exe file to run on Windows 98 and setting the mode for 256 colors, using 640x480 resolution, disabled visual themes, and turned off the advanced text services. After doing all this and clicking apply. I ran the program to play the game, soon after I closed the program I noticed my desktop icons were all set to a blank white icon as well as my entire system icons. I managed to set these icons back to default using folder options, but am unable to change some icons in the "My Documents" folder such as the "Videos" and "Pictures" icons. This however isn't the problem, the problem is that when i try to open the "My Documents" folder it will open it in explore view by default for some reason, and when I try to open a sub folder within the "My Documents" folder such as a folder I have named "Heald College" it will open up the "search results" (the search program that comes with the OS) instead of opening the folder and will display the folder in the "Look in" field. I need to set the double click options on these folders back to default; I've never seen this type of problem happen before which all started with the backward compatability with a 98 program. If anyone could help me out that would be great. I took a few screenshots of the problem if anyone wants to take a look at it, thanks in advanced if anyone can help me solve this problem!

*Edited
Screenshots:

Screenshot 1

Screenshot 2

 

[redduc900]

Follow my instructions in this thread...

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=487259

 

[Tapros]

Thank you so much!

Thanks for the quick reply!, I found that link very helpful and was able to fix the search view back to it's default value. However I still have the explorer view still not removed, Now all the main directories and subdirectories open in explore view. I feel much better now that the search view has been removed. I thank you for your time and help! If it's at all possible can you help me out with removing the "Explore" view option back to it's default? I wish I could do this myself, but I'd like to avoid toying with the registry considering I don't want to make a mistake that could crash my OS. Again thanks for your help, I'm glad you helped me out.

*Edit
I just found out the "search" function wasn't removed when I try and open my hard drive directory as well as any USB devices I plug in. It was only removed for the sub-folders

 

[redduc900]

I wish I could do this myself, but I'd like to avoid toying with the registry considering I don't want to make a mistake that could crash my OS.

Open Notepad, copy and paste the following text (everything between the dashed lines) and save the document as Shell.reg (note the .reg extension, not .txt). Then double-click the file to merge its content into the registry...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore]
"BrowserFlags"=dword:00000022
"ExplorerFlags"=dword:00000021

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,45,00,78,00,70,00,6c,00,6f,00,72,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,\
65,00,20,00,2f,00,65,00,2c,00,2f,00,69,00,64,00,6c,00,69,00,73,00,74,00,2c,\
00,25,00,49,00,2c,00,25,00,4c,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec]
@="[ExploreFolder(\"%l\", %I, %S)]"
"NoActivateHandler"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\application]
@="Folders"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\ifexec]
@="[]"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open]
"BrowserFlags"=dword:00000010
"ExplorerFlags"=dword:00000012

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,45,00,78,00,70,00,6c,00,6f,00,72,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,\
65,00,20,00,2f,00,69,00,64,00,6c,00,69,00,73,00,74,00,2c,00,25,00,49,00,2c,\
00,25,00,4c,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec]
@="[ViewFolder(\"%l\", %I, %S)]"
"NoActivateHandler"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\application]
@="Folders"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\ifexec]
@="[]"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit: I've attached a *.txt file which includes all of the above registry entries. Just download it to your Desktop and rename it to Shell.reg ...then double click it to merge it into your registry.

 

[Tapros]

I renamed the extension and was able to merge the data into the registry. Soon after I cold booted the computer and was able to login perfectly fine. However the search function is still not removed from the hard drive directory and I'm still getting the default "Explore" view for folders instead of "Open". I might have to end up backing up my data and having to format and reinstall my OS, the good thing is I have it installed in a separate partition from where my important data is in. I apologize if I'm asking for too much, I really appreciate your help. I'm still very new to this forum and was able to fix a ton of other problems I've been having, besides this one of course. Below is the screenshots of the problems that are still occurring.

Screenshots:

Screenshot 1 - Search View

Screenshot 2 - Explore View

 

[redduc900]

Besides checking the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT | Directory | shell key for the none Value data, check these keys also for the same value...

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT | Drive | shell

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT | Folder | shell

... and modify them accordingly.

 

[Tapros]

Did the above instructions and was able to remove the search function from the drive shortcut and feeling great about that . However, now the drive shortcut is set as "explore" for default. Everything I open is in explore view now by default besides videos, images, and programs. The "explore" view only applies to directories from the looks of it. Not really sure whats going on, but so far I've been able to remove the search view from folders and sub folders as well as the drive directory thanks to you . I've double checked everything from the last posts you've made and everything was done correctly, I still need to remove the explore view as being default for directories somehow (Directory shell is set as "none", same with the folder shell)

*Edit
I've exported the "Directory" folder in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT if you wanted to take a better look at it, I've renamed it to a txt file. I'm assuming the problem is coming from there.

 

[redduc900]

My Directory sub-key is quite a bit different than yours. I've uploaded the key for you just in case you'd like to merge it into your registry. You may want to just open it in Notepad first in order to see what's different, and edit yours appropriately... making sure not to add entries like 7-Zip, IZArc, etc. that may not be installed on your system.

 

[Tapros]

You had more values than I did, but from the looks of it mine seems normal and was pretty much the same as yours. Not really sure where the problem is coming from, possibly a different folder in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. I tried merging some of the values you had, but still had no change. I then went back and merged mine back to the way it was before. At this point the "Explore" view doesn't bother me as much as the search view did, but I would still like to find out where the problem lies.

 

[redduc900]

I've been under the assumption that you've already tried setting Open as the default action under Folder Options | "File Types" tab | Highlight "folder" | Click the "Advanced" button | In the "Edit File Type" dialog, highlight "Open" in the Action: pane and click the Set Default button... and that even after setting Open to be the default action, Explore remains as the default.

 

[Tapros]

Worked

Surprisingly, I haven't been in there. I went in and found that explore was highlighted rather than open for the folder file type (feeling rather dumb right now). I set it back to open and closed the window. Everything now works like a charm ! I appreciate all the help you have given me. Everything now works perfectly with no problems whatsoever. I've never had that problem with compatibility enabled, so for those who want to try it, make sure you backup your registry before you do. There is a chance that it might end up creating more problems then it has for me. Again, thank you redduc900 for everything you have done and the time you took to help me out!