Re: Explorer "Edit File Type" dialog Edit/Remove buttons grayed out

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From: Ramesh, MS-MVP (ramesh_at_online.mvps.org)
Date: 02/27/05 

Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 21:42:26 +0530

Bill,

Altering the "File Folder" via Folder Options dialog always cause this. To
set to default state, goto this key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell

In the right-pane, double-click default and type "none" without quotes.

To fix this automatically, type this command in Start/Run (courtesy of David
Candy)

regsvr32 /i shell32

>> But it does not work the same when I click a folder in the right
>> pane--the file list window

What happens when you double-click a folder?

Side-effect after modifying "File Folder" via Folder Options dialog:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321186 

-- 
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org
"Bill Molony" <BillMolony@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message 
news:54DE37C9-F30D-46FD-B7AD-C135F266A7D4@microsoft.com...
> Some additional discoveries since first post...
> The following Registry Key sets are probably involved somehow:
>
> HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
> HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Folder\shell
>
> But I am not sure yet which one does what. But I am aware that some 
> changes
> made in on set of keys is automatically changed in the other set. In one 
> of
> the key sets, I changed the default back and forth between open and 
> explore
> and it was automatically changed in another set of keys as well.
>
> I need someone who is more methodical than me to deduce which set of keys
> controls what actions.
>
> "Bill Molony" wrote:
>
>> I am using WinXP SP2 with all the latest updates installed.
>>
>> When I go to Windows Explorer "Folder Options/Edit File Type/File
>> Folder/Advanced" dialog, the Edit and Remove buttons are grayed out. But 
>> the
>> New and Set Default buttons are not grayed out.
>>
>> If I then add a new entry to that specific dialog, the new entry will 
>> appear
>> in the context menu when I right click on a folder in Explorer. The 
>> problem
>> is I did that but I mistyped the command. So I couldn't edit it or even
>> remove it from Edit File Type because the Edit and Remove buttons are
>> unavailable. :(
>>
>> Ok, so I went into the Registry and found the offending command in a 
>> subkey
>> of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell and I modified it to what I wanted 
>> it to
>> be. All is still well and good to this point. But...
>>
>> Then I discovered that this change effected Explorer behaviors in a way
>> unexpected--I wonder how many others have discovered this. :) I found 
>> that
>> the change works as expected when I click a folder in the left pane--the
>> folder window. But it does not work the same when I click a folder in the
>> right pane--the file list window.
>>
>> So as a result, I really I have two questions:
>>
>> 1) How can I get the "Folder Options/Edit File Type/File Folder/Advanced"
>> dialog Edit and Remove buttons to be not grayed out and thus available?
>> (Would have saved me from having to search and edit the Registry.)
>>
>> 2) How can I get the same right click context menu behaviors in both 
>> panes
>> of Explorer?
>>
>> I think in both cases, it will involve some illusive entries in the
>> Registry. And I am suspicious that there are two sets of similar keysets 
>> and
>> entries in the Registry--one for the left pane context menu and a nearly
>> identical one for the right pane. But as of yet I have not found such.
>>
>> Any thoughts appreciated!
>> Bill
>>
>> PS: And one more little frustrating discovery about Edit File Type was 
>> that
>> once you have set one of the options as the default, you cannot undo that 
>> to
>> where there is no default. You can only change it so that one of the 
>> entries
>> is the default. At least it can't be done without editing it in the 
>> Registry.
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