Article ID: 555140 - Last Review: June 15, 2004 - Revision: 1.0

"Single-click to open an item" in the Folder Options is grayed out

Author: Ramesh Srinivasan MVP
Community Solutions ContentCommunity Solutions Content Disclaimer
View products that this article applies to.
System TipThis article applies to a different operating system than the one you are using. Article content that may not be relevant to you is disabled.
Expand all | Collapse all

SYMPTOMS

When you open Folder Options, the option Single-click to open an item (point to select) is dimmed. In addition, the option Show Common tasks in folders may also be grayed out. And you may be unable to click the Toolbars command when you right-click the taskbar.
Back to the top

CAUSE

This happens if Classic Shell is enforced though a policy. If the system is in a domain, please contact the network administrator to solve the problem. For Windows XP systems not connected to a domain and experiencing this issue, follow the steps provided in the Resolution section.
Back to the top

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. Before you modify the registry, backup the registry key by exporting the corresponding branch. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, see the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
 
KB322756 How to back up, edit, and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
 
Click Start, Run and type Regedit to launch the Windows Registry Editor
 
Navigate to this location:
 
  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
 
In the right-pane, set ClassicShell to 0.
Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.
 
The "Single click" folder option should now be restored. If the problem persist and if you are using Windows XP Professional Edition, load the Group Policy Editor (GPEDIT.MSC) and go to:
 
   User Configuration | Windows components | Windows Explorer
   Double-click the entry "Turn on classic shell" and set it to Not Configured
   Close Group Policy Editor and restart Windows.
 
 
Back to the top

MORE INFORMATION

ClassicShell setting allows you to remove the Active Desktop and Web view features. If you enable this setting, it will disable the Active Desktop and Web view. Also, users cannot configure their system to open items by single-clicking (such as in Mouse in Control Panel). As a result, the user interface looks and operates like the interface for Windows NT 4.0, and users cannot restore the new features.
Back to the top
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Back to the top
Keywords: 
kbpubtypecca kbpubmvp kbhowto KB555140
Back to the top
Community Solutions ContentCOMMUNITY SOLUTIONS CONTENT DISCLAIMER
MICROSOFT CORPORATION AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, OR ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED HEREIN. ALL SUCH INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WORKMANLIKE EFFORT, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. YOU SPECIFICALLY AGREE THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED HEREIN, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF MICROSOFT OR ANY OF ITS SUPPLIERS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES.
Back to the top