How to Fix ‘Double-click not opening files or folders’ issue in Windows

How to Fix ‘Double-click not opening files or folders’ issue in Windows: When working with Windows computers, opening files and folders is accomplished by double-clicking the left mouse button. However, double-clicking does not appear to be functioning properly for some users. They are wasting their time when they double-click on any item because nothing happens. Because of this issue, every time you want to open a file or folder, you have to press the Enter key first. This can be very frustrating. We’ve seen a lot of cases in which users are unable to open a folder, and the error messages they receive include things like “this folder is empty” and “file explorer won’t open.”

In addition to the incidents that have been mentioned, the fact that double clicking won’t open folders in Windows 11/10 has become another pressing issue that requires immediate resolution. When it comes to the day-to-day use of computers, users will inevitably run into a never-ending stream of issues and complications. These issues, which are related to computers, can be resolved by following a few troubleshooting steps. However, the high risk of data loss necessitates the need for troubleshooting in conjunction with data recovery for some people. The solutions that are provided in this article will assist you how to Fix ‘Double-click not opening files or folders’ issue in Windows.

What is the “double-click not opening files or folders” issue?

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The files contained within should then be retrieved and saved to a different location. On a computer that is operating with an operating system such as Windows or macOS, a common issue known as “double-click not opening files or folders” may manifest itself. This issue can be very frustrating. It is a situation in which a user tries to open a file or folder on their computer by double-clicking on it with the mouse or touchpad of their device, but the file or folder does not open as the user would expect it to open.

What are the causes of “double-click not opening files or folders” issue?

1. Mouse Hardware Issues: Problems with the mouse itself, such as a malfunctioning left mouse button, can lead to issues with double-clicking. Dust or debris under the button can also cause issues.
2. Mouse Driver Problems: Outdated or corrupt mouse drivers can result in double-clicking problems. Make sure you have the latest drivers installed.
3. Windows Settings: Incorrect Windows settings can cause this problem. For example, if the double-click speed is set too fast or too slow, it may not register properly.
4. Malware or Viruses: Malware or viruses can interfere with the normal functioning of your computer, including mouse actions. Perform a thorough system scan to rule out this possibility.
5. File Association Issues: If the file association settings are incorrect, Windows may not know how to open certain file types. This can make it seem like double-clicking doesn’t work.
6. Third-Party Software: Some third-party applications, especially those that modify system behavior or mouse settings, can cause conflicts that result in double-clicking issues.
7. Windows Updates: In some cases, Windows updates may introduce compatibility issues with hardware or software, leading to problems like this.

How to Fix ‘Double-click not opening files or folders’ issue in Windows

Turn off Controlled folder access

1. To open the Windows Settings, press the Win and I keys at the same time.
2. Scroll down and click on Privacy and Security. Then click on Windows Security.
3. After that, click on Open Windows Security.
4. Scroll down until you reach the bottom of the page that says “Virus and threat protection settings.”
5. Click Take care of ransomware protection.
6. If you can’t open the folder or file with a double-click, turn off the “Controlled folder access” rule.

Configure the Registry Entries

1. To open the registry editor, press Enter after clicking the Start Menu button and typing Regedit.
2. Step 2: To move around, paste the following path into the address bar and press Enter.
   Computer\Control Panel\Mouse HKEY_CURRENT_USER
3. Step 3: In the right pane, double-click MouseHoverWidth and change its value to 4. Then, click OK to finish.
4. Step 4: After that, double-click the MouseHoverHeight to set its value to 4.
5. Step 5: Close the registry editor when you’re done, and then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Configure the File Explorer options to open files with a double-click

1. Click the Start Menu in the bottom left corner to do this.
2. Click this link and look for File Explorer Options.
3. Pressing “Enter” will bring up the file explorer options.
4. To open an item with two clicks, make sure that “Double-click to open an item” is checked off.
5. Click OK and then Apply when you’re done.
6. Now try double-clicking on the items to see if you can open them.

Slow down the double-click speed

1. Type “Mouse Settings” into the Start menu.
2. To get to Mouse Settings, press “Enter.”
3. Under Related Settings, click on More Mouse Settings.
4. Here, slow down the speed of the double-click, then click Apply and OK.
5. After that, make sure you can double-click on the folders and files to open them.

Uninstall Windows Update

1. There is an icon for the Start Menu. Right-click on it and choose Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update after opening the Settings.
3. Here, go to the Update History. Then, scroll all the way to the bottom and find the Uninstall Updates link.
4. You can see all the updates that have been given here. Just get rid of the update that you think might be the problem.
5. After you uninstall the update, restart your computer and see if the issue is still there.

Conclusion

In help chat forums, some users have said that when they double-click on folders in Windows File Explorer, they don’t open. This means that users can’t double-click on directories to get to folders. The error message that goes along with this problem isn’t specific. Users can still open folders by choosing Open from the right-click menu, so this problem doesn’t mean they can’t open any folders. But choosing the Open option from the context menu isn’t the best way to get to them. If you can’t double-click folders to open them on your Windows 11 or 10 PC, try these possible fixes.

Questions and Answers