Windows 10: How do I solve an issue where File Explorer windows open twice?

Hi there!

So, diving straight in:
The situation:
When I double click (or click once and press Enter) a folder, it opens twice. This happens most of the time. Here's a video showing this behaviour.

[youtube]_h57-gNqh3U[/youtube]


Before you answer:
The issue is not coming from how I've set up File Explorer. Under "Browse folders" I haven't checked the option "Open each folder in its own window", so that's not the cause. Not only that, but I also haven't checked the option "Launch folder windows in a separate process".

However, there is one strange thing I've noticed. Whenever I browse specific folders (those affected by the double-window plague), I see that a new shortcut is created on the left of the window. Here's a screenshot. This shortcut is exactly the same as the one under "This PC", according to their Properties. Both have the same location, name and size. However, what's not identical is the behaviour - if the folder is under "This PC", it will not open twice. If it is, the opposite will happen.

OS: Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, upgraded from Windows 7.


Thanks in advance for your answers! *Smile

:)

 

[SOLVED] How do I solve an issue where File Explorer windows open twice?

Glad you got this fixed, Tomas. But not sure which one did it.. The adobe fix i suppose? I came across that fix few months ago, but from what I've seen it only affected the Downloads folder.

 

[SOLVED] How do I solve an issue where File Explorer windows open twice?

Hi Tomas,

• Have you made any changes to the system prior to this issue?
• Have you installed any third party anti-virus on your system?

As an initial troubleshooting step, I suggest you to try the steps below and check if this helps.

Step 1:

To diagnose whether this issue occurs in “Safe Mode”, let’s reboot the computer in safe mode with networking and check if the issue appears there as well.

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode for Windows that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started. This helps us in identifying whether the issue is due to some third
party programs conflict. The word Safe mode appear in the concern of your monitor to identify which windows mode you are using.

Follow the steps given below and check if that helps.

• Unplug external devices connected to the computer expect
  keyboard and mouse.
• From login screen, press Shift key and click on the
  Power button and click restart to enter Advanced Boot Options.
• In this page select troubleshoot
  option.
• And click on Advance option.
• Select Startup setting from advance option.
• Here you will find Restart button, just click on it.
• In new windows press F5 to login with
  safe mode with networking.

If the issue does not exist, try to clean boot the system.

Step 2: Perform Clean Boot.

Placing your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. Check this issue in clean boot state.

• Press Windows key + X key. And select
  Run.
• Type msconfig in the Run box and hit Enter.
• On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the
  Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then tap or click
  Disable all.
• On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click
  Open Task Manager.
• On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then click
  Disable.
• Close Task Manager.
• On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click
  OK, and then restart the computer.

For more information refer the below link.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After troubleshooting, refer to this section "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting".

Write us back with the status of the issue to assist you further.

Thank You.

 

From the video, You have it set to single click to open the file explorer. Set it back to double click:

 

Hi, thanks for the quick response!

I don't have it set to Single Click. It is on Double Click.
As mentioned, this happens only with select folders.


Is there anything else you could have me try?

 

On each tab from the screen shot, click on "Restore Defaults" to see if it helps.

 

Hi! Tried it before, didn't work. Tried again. Didn't work either. Anything else? Bring on the artillery!

 

Open Admin command prompt. Copy and paste the line below then run. It will take a while so please be patient.

Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup&dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth&sfc /scannow&pause

 

Didn't find any component store corruptions.


Also, just to let you know, I came upon a post on Adobe Forums indicating that PhotoShop (which I already uninstalled) could be causing the issue. Is there a way to completely clean out the mess PS created? Thanks!

Photoshop CC 2015 Export As Desktop folder bug | Adobe Community
The problem is that I already did delete and re-create that registry key.

 

Issue is now resolved. Thanks for being part of the journey to solving it!

 

See if turning off Folder options > View > Use checkboxes to select changes the issue.

 

What was the resolution?

 

Here's how one can fix this issue:

1. Open this and start at #6
2. Install this. Search for files & folders that contain the name "Photoshop" and/ or "Adobe". Delete those (unless they're yours, of course)
3. Now the window should open only once and in the same folder.
Here's how one can fix this issue: