Troubleshooting Double-Click Not Opening Folders in Windows

Have you ever had a problem when trying to open a folder by double-clicking, but the folder is not responding?

Windows 11 is the most popular operating system today, but it is not free from problems that can bother users. One of the problems often experienced by Windows 11 users is a folder that cannot be opened when double-clicked. This is certainly very troublesome because it can hinder access to important files stored in the folder.

However, don’t worry, in this article, Bardimin will provide a complete guide on how to solve the double-click not opening folder issue in Windows.

Why doesn’t the folder open when double-clicking?

Several causes can cause folders to not open when double-clicked in Windows 11, such as:

• File Explorer app crashes or stops working
• Bugs or glitches in the Windows 11 operating system
• Full or less memory space
• Cache or junk files that accumulate
• Corrupted or deleted system files
• There is a conflict in the registry settings
• Viruses or malware that infect computers

To overcome this problem, there are several ways you can try, ranging from the easiest to the most difficult. Here are some ways to fix folders not opening when double-clicked in Windows 11.

1] Restart the File Explorer application

The first and simplest way to solve a folder that won’t open when double-clicked in Windows 11 is to restart the File Explorer app. File Explorer is a built-in application of Windows 11 that is used to explore files and folders on your computer.

File Explorer is the process responsible for displaying files and folders on your computer. If this application crashes or stops working, it can cause the folder to not be opened when double-clicked.

The easiest way to fix this problem is to restart File Explorer. To restart Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

1. Open the “Task Manager” by pressing “CTRL + SHIFT + ESC”.
2. In the “Processes” tab, find and click “Windows Explorer”.
3. Right-click on the process and select “Restart”.

Wait for the restart process to complete, and then try to open the folder that could not be opened before. If this works, the folder will open as usual. If not, proceed to the next way.

2] Check system files

Damage to system files can also be the cause of folders not being opened. To check system files, you can use the CHKDSK command.

To run the CHKDSK command, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt by pressing (Windows + R).
2. Type “cmd” and press Enter.
3. In Command Prompt, type the following command:

chkdsk /f /r /x C:

Replace “C:” with the drive letter on which Windows is installed.

The CHKDSK command will check the system files on the C: drive and fix any issues found.

3] Restart the computer

The third way to solve the folder won’t open when double-clicked in Windows 11 is to restart your computer. Restarting is the process of shutting down and restarting your computer, which can help fix various issues on the Windows 11 operating system.

By restarting your computer, you can reload all system files and services that may be experiencing errors or bugs. To restart your computer, you can follow these steps:

• Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen
• Select Power > Restart
• Wait for your computer to shut down and turn back on
• Enter your password or PIN if prompted
• Try opening the folder that you couldn’t open before

If this works, the folder will open as usual. If not, proceed to the next way.

4. Update Windows 11

The fourth way to solve a folder that cannot be opened when double-clicked in Windows 11 is to update your Windows 11 operating system. Update is the process of downloading and installing the latest updates from Microsoft that can improve the performance, security, and stability of Windows 11.

By updating Windows 11, you can fix various bugs or glitches that might cause folders to not open when double-clicked.

To update Windows 11, you can follow these steps:

1. Click the (Windows + I) keys on the keyboard.
2. Select “Windows Update”.
3. Click “Check for updates” on the right panel.
4. Wait until Windows 11 searches and displays available updates.
5. Click “Download and install” if there are any updates available.
6. Wait for the download and install process to complete.
7. Click “Restart now” if prompted.

After your computer restarts, try opening the folder that you couldn’t open before. If this works, the folder will open as usual. If not, proceed to the next way.

5. Clean Cache and Junk Files

The fifth way to solve folders not opening when double-clicked in Windows 11 is to clear the cache and junk files that accumulate on your computer. A cache is temporary data stored by applications or operating systems to speed up the loading or access process. Junk files are useless or unused files that take up storage space on your computer.

Cache and junk files that accumulate can cause your computer to become slow, slow, or error. To clean the cache and junk files, you can use the built-in Windows 11 application called “Disk Cleanup”. To use this app, you can follow these steps:

• Click the “Start” button and type “disk cleanup” in the search box.
• Select “Disk Cleanup” from the search results.
• Select the drive you want to clean, for example, C:
• Click OK
• Wait for the app to display a list of caches and junk files that can be cleaned.
• Check all the boxes you want to clean, e.g. Temporary files, Thumbnails, Recycle Bin, etc.
• Click the “Clean” button.

6] Using Registry Editor

The next step is through the Registry Editor. Changes to the registry can have a serious impact on your system. Make sure you follow the steps carefully or consult an IT professional.

1. Open the “Run” by pressing the keys (Win + R).
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell”.
4. Right-click on “shell”, select “New” and create a new Key with the name “open”.
5. Right-click on “open”, select “New” and create a new Key with the name “command”.
6. On the right side, double-click on “Default” and enter “%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe %1”.

7] System Update and Restore

If this issue occurs after a system update, try to restore the system to a restore point before the update is performed. Open the “Control Panel”, find “Recovery” and select “Open System Restore”. Follow the instructions to restore the system.

Conclusion

So, if you are facing the double-click issue of not opening folders in Windows, there are some steps you can try. Starting from checking for viruses or malware, making changes in the Registry Editor, to using the system restore feature. Make sure you perform each step carefully to restore the normal functioning of your folders and increase your productivity in using Windows. If you find it difficult or doubtful, it is always wise to seek help from an experienced IT expert.