Windows 10: Unable to open file/folder / Browser page with Left click

Hi
I am unable to open files/folders/browser page with Left click.
Started about a week ago. Win10 appears normal with no new updates.

All programs open, but files/folders will not open in same window. Left click and Win10 tries to open but the parent file/folder remains in window. Right click - 'Open in new window' - and the file/folder opens as expected.
Same happens with browser (Edge, Firefox) - initial startup and search is fine but after Google results load, am unable to Left click and load page. Right click and 'Open in new tab' works.

Have tried Restart (all ok for about 30mins and then as above takes over).
Was unable to System Restore or Uninstall Update (no SR and UU was too old).
Virus and Malware scans were negative.

Reset Windows10 - no change. Completed a fresh install - no change.
Went nuclear with DBAN and clean install. No change.
Have know completed Anniversary Install - seemed OK for about 3 hrs - now the problem is back.
Have looked all over web for ideas but not getting anywhere.

Have 10+ other comps all Win10 - all on same update cycles - no problems.

Any ideas?
Thanks

:)

 

File explorer not opening on administrator account on Windows 10

Hi,

Having researched this issue on the available suggestions in the Microsoft community, I am stil unable to resolve this.

1. I have run the windows file scan-> no integrity violations

2. Created new user account, file explorer opens correctly through all accounts except the original administrator account

3. As suggested by others, I can open individual word files through word 2010 from a given folder.

4. I can hover the mouse over a folder and see the thumbnails but am unable to open it despite right or left click.

A few other interesting observations:

Last week I had similar issues with opening any internet browser, with the windows constructor update that has got fixed.

Over last few months, I have had to right click and open folders rather than left double-clicking.

I will be grateful for timely help.

thx

Arj

 

How do you add a Favorites Folder to Edge Favorites Bar?

I have Windows 10 with the MS EDGE browser installed on both a PC and a laptop. I have imported my Favorites from my previous browser and they reside in a folder called "Old Favorites".

Somehow on the PC I was able to place that folder (or a shortcut) in the EDGE Favorites Bar. When I left-click on the folder icon in the favorites bar, it displays a listing of sub-folders in the Old Favorites folder directly below the icon in the Favorites
Bar (left side of screen). Left-clicking on a sub-folder opens a listing of the saved web pages directly under the Star Symbol (right side of screen) as if the favorites had been displayed by left-clicking the Star Symbol. Left-clicking a saved web page
opens that page. This works really well for me.

Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to duplicate this on my laptop. I simply don't remember how I did this on the PC. Oh, and the Old Favorites folder does NOT reside in the Favorites Bar folder - I tried that and it didn't work. I have also tried
dragging and dropping but dragging to the Favorites Bar is not allowed.

Any I ideas how I can replicate this set-up on the laptop?

 

I am not sure if I misunderstand something here, but by default a left click is not supposed to open a file or folder. It only selects an item:



A double click opens an item:




This is default behaviour. If you want to select an item automatically by bringing the pointer on top of it instead of a left click, and open it with single left click, you have to change defaults in Folder Options. See tutorial: Open Items with Single-Click or Double-Click in Windows 10

 

Hi Kari

I use Single Click to open files / folders (changed from Folder Options as you describe).
I guess another way to describe the problem would be - files/folders/browsers are unable to open in same Window.

There is also a second problem that appears to be connected - once a window is full screen, I am unable to use Minimise, Maximise, Close buttons. The buttons are visible and highlight when selected but nothing happens when clicked. The only option is to Right click icon in Taskbar and select Close/Exit.

 

Have you accidentally set Folder Options to open each folder in its own Window:

 

Yes - that is my preferred option. I have Windows set to open in the same window. This does not work.

If I click on Explorer and open a Folder, it opens.
If I click on the next level Folder or file, it will not open.

I have just reset back to 'Open in a new window' - and Folders open again. This is not my usual setting.
All comps have Single click and open in Same Window. Folders will not 'Go Back or Up a level' with mouse clicks.
If I use Alt + Up, the windows go back / up level.

 

OK - have confirmed that the problem seems to be that I can no longer 'Open in Same Window'.
This appears to be the same behaviour that is affecting the Browser links as well.

 

OK - have confirmed that the problem seems to be that I can no longer 'Open in Same Window'.
This appears to be the same behaviour that is affecting the Browser links as well.

Still, doesn't seem to explain the Back/Up Level arrows not working?

 

OK - have confirmed that the problem seems to be that I can no longer 'Open in Same Window'.
This appears to be the same behaviour that is affecting the Browser links as well.

Still, doesn't seem to explain the Back/Up Level arrows not working?

Multiple posts? Showing on my screen as 'Edits' - until posting where they become new posts?

 

OK - have confirmed that the problem seems to be that I can no longer 'Open in Same Window'.
This appears to be the same behaviour that is affecting the Browser links as well.

Still, doesn't seem to explain the Back/Up Level arrows not working?

Multiple posts? Showing on my screen as 'Edits' - until posting where they become new posts?

---- Edit, not New Post ---- Edit function worked fine on another computer but not this one - the one with all the problems

 

Have found similar problem from Win7.
"Open each folder in the same window" not working

Will try the fix ----> cmd - sfc/scannow and see what happens...

 

cmd - sfc /scannow nothing found.
Ran the two cmds as prompted:
regsvr32 "%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll"
regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll"

Have rebooted and everything appears to be working again - difficult to know as it can take up to 3hrs after a reboot for the problem to reappear.
Late (early) here. Will check again in morning.

Edit to add - Edit working again now too...

 

Ok - computer has reverted to faulty settings as above, after sitting idle overnight. Any ideas?

 

Solved. Faulty USB hub, with mouse attached.
Hardware can do some weird things.