Windows Explorer behaves oddly

When I double click on a drive or directory, normally Explorer shows the contents. Now it displays a message this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control Panel.


I can still see the contents by right clicking Open.

The message makes no sense. There is no file type to associate.

You have possibly been affected by a virus which has inserted hidden autorun.inf files in your drives and directories. Are you aware of any recent problems on your PC that might support this theory?

I would perform a full antivirus scan.

I have run anti-virus and malware scans. Shows nothing. I suspect new tools, Malswarebytes and IOBit.

Now it displays a message this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control Panel.

It is worse than I thought. When I right click on the desktop or the explorer there is no create folder or create shortcut

I would consider doing a clean format install.

I would consider doing a clean format install.

I am postponing that hoping for a rescue with some registry tweak. I can postpone indefinitely. I can select directories with right click open. I can create shortcuts by cloning and modifying an existing one. Reinstalling and reinstalling all software takes at least a couple of days.

The only registry solution you could try is to download and merge the .reg files provided for Driveand Directoryin the following tutorial (option 2):

Default File Type Associations - Restore in Windows 10

The only registry solution you could try is to download and merge the .reg files provided for Driveand Directoryin the following tutorial (option 2):

Default File Type Associations - Restore in Windows 10

Bingo. I installed
Directory.reg
Folder.reg
lnk.reg
and it WORKS! Many thanks

Glad this worked! Please mark the thread as solved so others know.

Make sure you have created a new system restore point and it would be worth having a system backup as well!

Best wishes,
Phil