Problem(s):
- When attempting to open a folder in Windows Explorer, the folder opens in a new window, even if “Open each folder in the same window” is selected in Folder Options.
- Some links in Internet Explorer don’t open correctly
- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio: An error with a message like “Unable to cast COM object of type ‘System.__ComObject’ to interface type ‘Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop.IServiceProvider’. This operation failed because the QueryInterface call on the COM component for the interface with IID ‘{6D5140C1-7436-11CE-8034-00AA006009FA}’ failed due to the following error: No such interface supported (Exception from HRESULT: 0×80004002 (E_NOINTERFACE)). (Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop)
- Visual Studio Team Explorer: When browsing using the Team Explorer window, you may get COM errors similar to those in the SQL Management Studio error above
Explanation:
I’m not sure of the exact details, but this is what I think I’ve found. Perhaps someone at Microsoft would correct or elaborate on this.
Previously, actxprxy.dll (ActiveX Interface Marshaling Library) was used as the proxy for a multitude of system interfaces, such as IShellFolder and IServiceProvider.
In Windows 7 (and probably Vista also), the GUID of this library has changed from {B8DA6310-E19B-11D0-933C-00A0C90DCAA9} to {C90250F3-4D7D-4991-9B69-A5C5BC1C2AE6}
Secondly, there is also a new Proxy/Stub provider found in ieproxy.dll of Internet Explorer (IE ActiveX Interface Marshaling Library). Some interfaces that previously used actxprxy.dll are now registered to use ieproxy.dll.
Now various problematic software (such as Vault 3.x) will try to register against actxproxy using the old GUID, and for interfaces now proxied by ieproxy.dll.
Solution
Solution 1
You must use regsvr32 to re-register the two proxy DLLs, then reboot
You can use the below batch file to do this.
You must run this batch file with administrative privileges (right click on the file and choose Run as administrator):
If you don’t run the batch file as an administrator, you will get an error as pictured:
[Download RegisterActxprxyAndIeproxy.cmd]
RegisterActxprxyAndIeproxy.cmd source:
@echo off :: 32 bit and 64 bit IF EXIST "%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll" "%SystemRoot%\System32\regsvr32.exe" "%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll" IF EXIST "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll" "%SystemRoot%\System32\regsvr32.exe" "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll" :: 64 bit only (32bit on 64 bit) IF EXIST "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\actxprxy.dll" "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe" "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\actxprxy.dll" IF EXIST "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll" "%WinDir%\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe" "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll"
Don’t forget to reboot after re-registering the DLLs!
Edit: The script has been updated to support 64-bit Windows
Solution 2
Some people have reported that the following command may fix the problem when Solution 1 does not work (first mentioned by snir in the comments):
- Open up a Command Prompt (presumably in Administrator mode) Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt
- Type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter
For those for which this solution works, I’d like for someone to find what file(s) were affected and repaired, so we can get a more specific solution and see if it’s related to Solution 1.
This solution was one I looked at before I made this post which did not work for me.
Thank you!! This was very annoying.
Thank YOu very much. IT was very big problem for me, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXCELLENT catch on the ieproxy dll – the first one didn’t do jack for me but this one finally fixed it.
Thank you. I tried this to solve the issue in SQL Management Studio on new Windows 7 install and it did not help. Does anyone have any other suggestions. I will continue to look.
Backwardshoop, the only other solution I’ve found is to delete your profile and it will get fixed. Not sure though.
After fixing the symptoms with this solution, I launched in to Visual Studio only to find out that the integration piece (source control plug-in is not installed message) from the Vault client is apparently not there. So I went through a re-install, but that didn’t fix it either.
I can at least run everything in their own windows now, but this has me wanting to back away from Vault as our source control solution.
Wish I understood more about why this is broken.
http://support.sourcegear.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12680
Finally figured it out … If you’re using 64-bit Windows 7 – register the ieproxy.dll in the x86 Program Files.
I mus say THANK YOU MAN!
This problem was so fucking anoying, but I was getting use to it!
Thank you man, really =)
Thank you! This was very good link and tutorial for me!
whew! DOUBLE THUMBS UP!!!!!!! thnk u man! ur jst a GFT from GOD! hehehe
it WORKS PERFECTLY!!!! 101% for me, u jst SOLVE my Problem this Night! THnk u and MOre POWER! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! ^_^
OMG Thank you so much!
I have used hours on seaching the internet for a solution, every site i found they told me to do this one:
regsvr32 “%SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll”
Nobody told me to do this as well:
regsvr32 “%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll”
Thank you !!
It was so annoying
Thank you man!
Brilliant. Thank you.
Thank you very much. It helps me a lot.
This problem just cropped up for me randomly this afternoon out of nowhere, while I was writing a word document. It’s incredibly frustrating to have every folder opening in its own window and then having to close them all. I’m running Windows 7. Ran the program above, rebooted, didn’t fix it. Ran it again, rebooted again, still didn’t work. Please help! What else can I do? This problem is really pissing me off.
Helped on my WIN 7 pc. Thanks a bunch! Cheers
This is great! Thanks..
@John: Perhaps you have something that keeps running and making the registry changes each time?
1) Check what programs you have running at startup, or if you suspect it’s Word, any Office add-ins you might have.
2) You might even want to use something that can tell you when something is trying to change the registry, such as Spybot Search & Destroy.
3) As for it cropping up randomly, you must have installed something. This problem might not crop up until after a restart so it might have been something you installed a while ago, if you don’t restart often.
4) System Restore might let you see what’s been installed recently, and see if you can go back to a point where the problem isn’t happening, to help you narrow down what is causing it.
Thank you so much… I searched every forum (including Microsoft) without success! I will now once again enjoy my file browsing!!
THANKS!
Thank you very much. Finally it solved my problem.
Sorry, it didn’t work for me. I’ll try to run it in safe mode just in case there is a process that is causing the problem.
I won’t embarrass myself by admitting how much time I’ve invested trying to find a fix for this that doesn’t involve a reinstall.
This apparently also fixes an unrelated (I thought) issue on Win7: The “Devices and Printers” window is empty, with “0″ items listed. I’ve tried various solutions for this as well, with no luck, but on a hunch (insert required Marty Feldman sound byte here) I tried one more time, and whattaya know, it’s fixed too.
MANY THANKS, NOT JUST FOR THE FIX, BUT FOR THE CONCISE EXPLANATION AS WELL!!
I just wanted to echo alan1mtnview. I spent half a day trying to fix the empty Devices and Printers window issue. Your fix did the trick. Many thanks!
Thx a lot ….
Hi,
i was having this “folders open in new window
despite folder option says same window” problem, and nobody could help, not even at Microsoft.
These loads of windows killed my nerves.
I got weird hints, none ever helped.
To make it short : YOUR HINT IS THE SOLUTION !
It worked.
Yes, i had the additional problem that Internet Explorer wouldnt start at all.
(That was not too bad ’cause i use Firefox anyway).
Since your solution mentioned this, i gave it a try, and now all my problems are gone !
I think this is going to be a problem for quite a while, and this solution was very valuable for me (and others).
(Though i dont really understand the connection between IE and folder options).
However, your solution worked, my folders
work as they should now on doubleclick again,
and so a great hassle is gone.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
regards from germany,
Martin
please let me repeat, so others can understand when this solution will help, ’cause i had all three problems at the same time (probably because of the same reason as explained here in the article) :
this solution works at least for these problems (among others) :
1.) folders open in a new windows when doubleclicked despite the folder options say “open in the same window”.
the folder options only work when you right click on a folder and then choose “open” from the right-click-menu.
but when you double-left-click on a folder, a new windows is opened every time.
2.) internet explorer does not start at all
(or has problems with at least some links).
3.) the control-panel folder “printers and other devices” is totally empty, it shows nothing in it but a blank page.
i had all those three problems, and all three
were gone after i did what this article suggests.
i keep this .cmd file in case i will need it again (and i am afraif this will happen).
thank you, david, i cant value this solution enough!
martin
big big thanks.. you rock!
I. Love. You. Thank you so much. I’ve tried so many other solutions and this is the only one that worked to solve this f**king annoying problem!
Sorry .. but it isnt working…
i tried it many times but it didnt work. m using win7 64 ultimate
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP
I had the same problem with Win 7 x64, none of the solution above worked. So I figured out, that it has definitely to do with my Internet Explorer 8 installation. Uninstalling / Reinstalling didn’t help, but then I read something about “sfc /scannow”. I then renamed my two IE program folgers (C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer and C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer) into “Internet Explorer_” an ran (with admin rights) “sfc /scannow”. The programm detected a corrupt IE installation, repaired it and after rebooting the computer the window behaviour was all right again! No problems anymore!
Your solution is good (certainly, better than nothing), but far from perfect as to the Windows Explorer is concerned. After using your batch, apparently Explorer behaves as always, but it doesn’t. It keeps opening new windows although displayed on the same one (as if there was only one). But if you check after browsing several folders, the explorer icon on the task bar shows plenty of new windows, not just one. The annoyance is that they need to be closed, one by one, clicking on the X button many times. Is there any other way to get Explorer back to normal? Thanks a lot for your help, anyway.
JRMT
Interesting. This fix used to work perfectly, at least in my situation on computers at work. But your comment and Constref’s comment make me think someone recent has happened (Windows Update, IE update?) or some additional piece of software is now in the mix. Have you tried Constref’s suggestion?
I have finally solved my problem by running these two entries in cdm, “run as administrator”:
– regsvr32 %SystemRoot%\System32\actxprxy.dll
– regsvr32 %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll
Then reboot.
It sounds weird but the same instructions didn’t work when using David’s batch. Anyway, he must be credited for the fix, which is a very good finding.
Yes, thanks. I have tried “sfc /scannow” and everything seems to be normal. Please, note that my problems are only with Windows Explorer. But, replying to your question, both Windows Update and IE update are blocked in my computer (don’t like to have new updates installed if I am not sure about them). No other piece of software, which I know, is interfering with the system. Any other hint? Thanks a lot, anyway.
Thanks you very mucH, i was really so fade off …
Finally, this solution helped me a lot.
Once again, thank you very much .
Cheers mate, this was driving me mad. Sorted the problem straight-away.
Thanks again.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
good tutorial….100% work!!!!^_^
Thank you !
omg thank you so much this has been bugging me for so long i had to stop making youtube vids because of it but nw im going to make a vid of how to fix it thanks
I found a different solution worked for my on Vista – http://devsyd.blogspot.com/2010/08/vista-folders-open-in-new-window-bug.html
Thank you very much, I was very annoyed by this shit
Thank you ! It’s the only thing that worked for me.
[...] [...]
Hi everyone, i had the same problem – and with thanks to this site’s help i discovered that in my case what had happened is a permission issue for the internet explorer folder. (i had disabled it by removing all permissions except for “system”). once i reinstated user permissions for the ie folder everything works as usual…
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
was an annoying issue, but what really caused the pain was the devices manager window!
gone now!
Yippeeeee!
thank you, it’s work. gbu
Great solution. It works for me very well! You saved me
Hey! great …….It works for me. I will give you 100 out of 100. Thanks!
Thanks for your well-explained solution and for leaving it up for those of us just getting this annoying bug. Wish we could get these great answers from Microsoft – they need to hire you for lots of $$
great now it opens two new windows instead of one which is double-annoying. how can i change it back now?
thank you for this. it worked perfect.
Thanks for your help you saved me hours. What happened with me is that I used a tool called REVO Uninstall, which searches leftover registry keys when you uninstall programs. Apparently, it blew away some that I needed. Fixed now, Thanks!
Hi David,
since you have no other contact option here, i try it this way :
you solved this explorer problem as the only one.
so maybe you can help me with another serious explorer problem, too ?
in my win7 ultimate x86 the explorer keeps crashing whenever i rightcklick a file or folder.
it does the same when i mark a file or folder and try to open the file menu. immediately the whole explorer crashes (all open explorer windows are gone afterwards)
and restarts.
i dont remember when it began, so i dont know the reason.
i checked softwares like winrar and virtual cd, which make additions to the right click menu, but they are not the reason (problem still there after uninstall of this software).
do you have any idea what might be the reason and the solution to this problem ? it is a real hassle.
thank you
martin
Thank you so much for the solution!! It worked wonderfully!
THANK YOU
Thank you SO MUCH! It worked and I’m so happy right now, because I’ve been spending such a lot of time with that problem.
THANK YOU!!
I’m sorry, but your solution didn’t work!
The folders keep opening on new windows, regardless of the folder option setting.
Snir,
Israel
What solved the problem was System File Checker in CMD (the command “SFC /SCANNOW”)!
this worked for me!!!!!
You were really so helpful! I was wondering how to manage this stupid problem and tried also several times to reinstall the whole system. Best regards from Bavaria.
Thank U Very Much
This Was Really Helpful
thanks a lot
Thanks you!
thank so much for the explanation. You have a big skill.
Thank you so much! It worked for me.
Thanks David… This worked… I have been facing this problem from months and tried number of suggestions from internet but nothing worked till today…. Thanks Again
)))))))
I tried executing the .cmd and rebooted, but it did not work. However, running the windows scan, as suggested by snir did the trick!
typed “SFC /SCANNOW” into an administrator command prompt.
Very helpful thread. Thanks =D
Sorry but I’m still encountering the same problem… any more suggestions?
thanks a lot , the SFC /SCANNOW method has worked !
Thank you! This has been bugging me for weeks, and was fixed after spending only minutes on your site!
thank you very much, the 2 steps for correcting reg. solved the problem
thank you again
Thank youuuuuu!!!!This has been killing me for months, just 2 steps for correcting reg. solved the problem
thank you again!!!!!!
Thank you very muchhhh. Solution 2 is resolved the issue
Thank you very muchhh!!! Solution 1 working great for me (Windows 7 32 bit)!
)
GREAT RESPECT for you
Great!! SFC /SCANNOW worked for me
THANK YOU!!!
thanks a lot for the solution because that problem started to really annoy me and none of the other solutions provided on the internet seemed to work
Mehn!!! Your solution did the trick. Had been having this problem and reinstalling windows severally. You’re the best
Thank you David, you saved my computer from reinstalling Windows. I used first solution.
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
thanks very very very much
thank you very much. internet explorer fix. new window problem fix. turkey
arkadaşlar çözüm kesinlikle işe yarıyor. mutlaka deneyin
I thank you very very much!
)
I did the first methode: nothing :/
I did the second methode: nothing :/
I did the first methode again and it goes
THX very much
Thanks, your solution #1 (the CMD file) worked for me on Win7 32-bit.
Don’t know what the problem may have been, but it’s fixed. Bless you.
Awesome, CMD file worked. the SFC did not, but looks like if one doesn’t work, the other will. Thanks!
Working on my Win7 32Bit PC
Thanks.
Thanks a bunch. It worked. God bless you.
Thanks, The second trick worked for me. Many thanks from my heart for your time and to share this useful information.
Solution #2 doesn’t work but solution 1 works fine for me! THANK YOU GUYS!!!
I tried various suggestions before finding your site…
THE [Download RegisterActxprxyAndIeproxy.cmd] / Solution 1 is the CORRECT Solution for me.
Much Appreciation!
This is THE fix…!!!
I’ve been trying several solutions for hours, only this script fixed my problem.
Many Thanks!!!
[...] thanks to David Moore for this [...]
Hey!!!
I was about to go format my pc … because i had deleted (by accident) something from I.E.
an my Wnds7 could not remove Wat and my folders were open in a new window and many other crazy things!!!
With this (you let us download and run it as administrator) i FOUND MY CURE..!!!
THANK YOU – - – THANK YOU ….!!!!!!
Thank you so much, David – the trick 1 with the batch file RegisterActxprxyAndIeproxy.cmd worked perfectly for me. I already spent quite some time trying registry patch tricks that did not work.
Markus (Germany)
Solution 1, It really worked.
thank you very much
Thank you so much! Scannow didn’t fix it but the registry change did!
oh yeah! solution 1 worked…had this problem for 6 months already and it was so annoying!
you are the man keep it up
Thanxxx! Solution 1 worked perfect. Seen a lot of false solutions on the web…..But this actually worked! Thanx again.
thank you very much i fixed my problem! however there’s still one problem i had on my laptop. I inserted my portable HDD and copied files then when i rebooted, I can’t change my desktop background, my themes aren’t working. also it says that I’m logged in as default user. I’m using windows 7. i scanned my drive and detected nothing. what might be the problem?
thanks in advance
Thanks, sfc /scannow helped in my case.
The problem in my case definately had to do with the new IE9 Update.
(Win7 x64 Home Premium)
Second option works exellent! Thank you very much!
Thank you guy!!..I resolved with solution 2, you saved me from become crazy ..
Number 2 didn’t work. Number 1 DID! Cheers.
Win7Ultimate 32bit sp1
Thank you very much!!!!! I resolved with solution 2. May god bless you^^
Thank you very much, it was a perfect solution for this disturbing issue!!!!
The solution was SFC/SCANNOW
. Thanks a lot.
Win 7 Pro 32Bit SP1
Cheers!
Das war die Lösung! Endlich keine hundert Fenster mehr! Vielen Dank!
Grüße aus Deutschland!
You are awesome friend… I was pulling my hair looking everywhere for a solution…. I was about to throw my laptop to the wall….. I give you blessings….. Live long and keep helping us out
Man thank you.You helped my life <3 ty ty ty ty finally <3
the solution sfc/scannow REALLY WORK!! THANSSSSSSSSSSS
Thank you soooooo much! for solution number 1, I tried the number 2 first but it did not work for me. TY!
Thank you sir…Good work..it works fine…You shud be in Microsoft design team..
Thanks for the fix. Your instructions are excellent and the fix worked perfectly!
Neither 1 or 2 worked. Uninstalled and reinstalled IE 9 and all worked again.
Instructions … perfect … worked like a charm … thanks for saving me a lot of time having to troubleshoot
Worked like clock work. Was driving me crazy. Thanks alot man!
Solution 1 works fine with me. Thank you.
Solution 2 is working for my W7 Ultimate. Thanks mate!
Thanx for second solution its work for me.
Solution 1 works great..
thanks guys
solution 1 worked for win 7 x64 sp1 enterprise.
thanks alot.
may your future days be blessed and fruitful
Thanks so much. fixed not only folders but also a tab error in explorer 0
Thanks so much. Unsurprised to see microsoft still haven’t fixed this in two years of updates.
Very good! I even clapped when solution 2 worked and my mom was like, “What? Did something happen????”
thank you so much,,same thing happened to me.. very annoying problem.. and your solution 1 fixed it..!! once again,thank u so much..!!
Thank you so much! Solution 1 worked for me and I’m grateful for your help.
I searched for weeks for this solution (solution #1)..God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome Babe… God Bless You And Thanks
Solution #2 – sfc /scannow worked for me. I have the output if someone wants to look at it.
Thank you, thank you, Thank you !!!
Thanks so much. Getting so frustrated with everyone saying “turn on Bluetooth”. Solution 1 did it for me.
ich habe meinen internet explorer gelöscht.
Ich dachte mir dabei wer brauch schon den internet explorer..
mit der .bat Datei geht alles wieder wunderbar ich danke dir!!!!
Thankz a lot option 2 worked for win 7 ultimate. God bless
WHO EVER U ARE –THANK YOUUUUUUUUUU!!!
WHEN I READ EVERYONE ELSE POST I SAID NEVER ME–BUT LISTEN HOW IT WORKED.
TRIED SOLUTION 1 DID NOT WORK
TRIED SOLUTION 2 DID NOT WORK
RAN SOLUTION 1 AGAIN AND IT WORKED BECAUSE SOLUTION 2 FIXED SOME SHIT, U KNOW–WORD!!
THANKX FRIEND U NEED TO BE EMPLOYED AT THE TOP OF SOME HUGE COMPUTER CO.!!!
#2 didn’t work for Win 7 Enterprise 64-bit. #1 did. Much appreciated. Sure beats checking into the nut house.
Thanks guys, the 1st option/solution worked and am opening folders in the same windows, thanks…..
Man… even as a tech I couldnt figure this one out…Thanks that script worked perfectly and I have been looking forever for an answer!
Guys,
This problem has been driving me nuts for weeks now. I’ve cruised this and several other forums, and tried every damn “fix” out there.
WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM (All updates applied)
I’ve done registry edits, registered .dll files, changed folder option settings back and forth, uninstalled software, re-installed software, etc, etc.. Ad nauseam. (I don’t have IE8 or Source Gear Vault) Although both of these seem to come up often in these discussions.
I bumbled into something on one these forums, and ** I FOUND THE SOLUTION!**
Go to this web site: <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/"
Then, in section 2 click on “Use desktop features, or open programs and files”
In the window below will be a list of solutions. Simply “Run Now” the one called: Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically After running this “fixit” my problem of a new window opening all the time in Windows Explorer went away! Worked perfect!
Anyway, I hope this works for any of you guys too. Because the other solutions here did not work in my situation.
Good luck everyone…..
Mark
tnx dude
Solution 1 fix my problem
tnx again
Just wanted to say thanks to the author. Solution 1 fixed it, also that you may not need to reboot to see the changes, sometimes ending the explorer process and reopening it is enough.
Thank you very much for the solution! Tried solution 1, didn’t work. Tried solution 2 and kept my fingers crossed…worked like charm!
The windows and internet explorer problems have occurred ever since my laptop was upgraded from XP to Win7. It has been a major pain! Solution 1 fixed the issues. Thanks so much for your help!
Thanks. For months I was worried due to this problem. Thanks
Hi, WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE.
Solution 2 worked for me. Thanks a lot.
Solution 2 worked for me. Thanks a lot.
Thank you so much for this fix, was tearing hair out and I cant afford that
It worked perfectly fine. This problem crept up once before but Microsoft’s “Fixit” system repaired it automatically. This time, nothing Microsoft offered would fix it. One would think a company like that would be aware of the issue and would offer a repair or better yet, an upgrade that never does it. They don’t. Fortunately, you do. Thank you!!!!
THANK YOU! Solution 1 worked for me and it solved my other problem too. I was unable to safely remove USB hardware and now it works! THANK YOU!
I wish I had found this earlier. After trying so many things; uninstalling and installing so many times, I found your blog
. Thank you David. Solution 1 worked for me. You are great!
SWEET
I can’t believe how many issues its resolved for me, which I am battling for two days.
Your solution 1 worked great. Thanks and much appreciated.