Double Click on Folder is not working - Folder not opening by double click

Yesterday I found an issue with opening folders in my old desktop computer. When I right click on any folder, it is not opening. Instead of opening a folder it is showing a message of " Choose the Program you want to open this file". Then I right click on the folder and click on Open, still the folder is not opening. So I tried the explore option and now I could access the folder. So I decide to find the actual reason for this "not opening folder" issue. For your information this is an old computer running on Windows XP. So as usual I started asking in forums and browse for major knowledge base to know why I cannot open folder by double click and open option in right click menu. Major points I found are registry issues and virus infection.

Registry Fix to open a folder by double click on it

Registry error can prevent a folder from opening by double click on it. So the registry fix to open a folder by double click is :

1. Press [Windows] + [R] to get run command

2. Type regedit on Run Window

Navigate to the following location: " HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell" and click on Shell.

Now on attribute (right hand side ) right click on it and click on Modify. Type none in the Value data box and click OK.

After this Navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Drive \ shell" and select Shell.

Now as the same way on attribute (right hand side ) right click on it and click on Modify. Type none in the Value data box and click OK.

Now close the registry editor and check whether you can open folders in your computer by double click on it or not.

Double click on a folder will not work due to autorun.inf infection

If still you are facing the same issue (Cannot open folder by double click on it), it might be due to the possible infection of autorun.inf. This is a hidden file located in every folder and prevent folder from opening by double click on it.

In order to fix this issue, you should scan your computer using a good AntiVirus software. It will detect autorun.inf and delete this file. If you want to manually search and delete autorun.inf in your computer follow the steps below.

i. On command prompt type:

attrib -r -h -s autorun.inf

(if the file detect you can autorun.inf using the following command del autorun.inf )


After reboot, you can open that folder by double click on it.

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