FIXED: Windows XP Pro opening search windows

[Keshik]

Just ran into a new problem on Windows XP Pro:

I reinstalled Windows yesterday, and finished up loading the updates and all that today. Now, whenever I try to use explorer to open a folder, it opens a blank new search window. I had previously been able to use explorer normally (after the reinstall) and am baffled as to what happened.

Any idea on how to resolve this?

Thanks

 

[BadThad]

Sounds like the registry is hosed. Did you format the drive prior to the reinstall?

 

[Keshik]

It was a registry thing.

Managed to figure it out:

Windows Explorer Opens Search Companion Rather than the Folder
If the Windows Explorer opens up the Search Companion rather than opening up the actual folder, the default setting for opening a folder is changed.

To correct this:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Drive \ shell]
Edit the default value to be explorer or none
Download reg file

http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm#open_folder