Fix: Folders Opening in New Windows on Double-Clicking

You’ve suddenly noticed that every folder that you’re double-clicking on is opening that folder in a new window. What sorcery is this?

You go to the Control Panel and open Folder Options and the option which is supposed to open your folders in the same window is most definitely selected. So now what’s wrong?!

Don’t worry, I’ve got you. And the fix is almost as easy and quick as opening a new folder!

Step 1: Download the tool required

You’re going to need a little batch file that will run a few commands to make certain changes to the registry.

You can download this tool from here.

After the download is complete, extract the .RAR file anywhere you like and you’ll now have the 2 files there:

Step 2: Run the registry modification

Run “Registry Modification.cmd” and it will execute the following commands on its own:

@echo off

:: 32 bit and 64 bit
IF EXIST "%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll" "%SystemRoot%\System32\regsvr32.exe" "%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll"
IF EXIST "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll" "%SystemRoot%\System32\regsvr32.exe" "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll"

:: 64 bit only (32bit on 64 bit)
IF EXIST "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\actxprxy.dll" "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe" "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\actxprxy.dll"
IF EXIST "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll" "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe" "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll"

You will see a command prompt window pop up and quickly exit after the commands are executed automatically. You’re now done, but do not skip the next step, or the problem does not get fixed.

NOTE: If you do not trust the tool, just run the above commands by yourself or by creating a batch file with the same commands in it.

Step 3: Reboot immediately [Very important]

Apart from the above mentioned 2 files, there will also be a text file that I have made specifically for lazy people like me to strictly open and read.

Yeah, excuse the language, I was pretty much going to end up in a straitjacket before I found the fix for it and put it in a notepad file just so if this ever happens again, I do not come to this point again. Anyway, so you now know the significance of rebooting immediately.

Step 4: Verify the folder settings

Go to Control Panel > Folder Options and make sure that the “Open each folder in the same window” option is selected, as shown below:

If not set as the above image, select the option and then click on Apply, OK, and test it out by opening a folder and navigating through another one. Congratulations! You’ve fixed the issue!