Windows explorer moves the selected folder to bottom of folders list. How do I stop this?

Anonymous
2009-12-27T19:25:21+00:00

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Open a windows explorer

show folders on left

Double Click Computer

Double Click C disk

Scroll to windows   Double Click 

Double Click diagnostics  (example)

The folder is now moved to the bottom of the folder list.

This also happens when any folder is clicked once and the the open gadget is clicked once.

This is increadably annoying.  How do I stop it?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2010-03-22T08:24:10+00:00

Hi j1234567890j - and everyone else that repsonded to this post. 

I also expierence this problem and like with everyone that replied on this post an many others that this is driving me insane. To make matters worse, this problem presents itself also on the Open or Save file dialogs in any application that relies on the Windows File Dialog.

In my case I also found that the behaviour is inconsistent. Sometimes the problem presents itself and sometimes it does not. - This is why it is difficult to zero in on the behavior and some folks cannot replicate the problem. So, I believe other replies on various posts where this problem cannot be replicated. As a developer I understand this, since we often have the response: "...but it works in my computer..." - And yes it does, because typically a dev/support machine is set up for ideal circumstances. I am digressing...

Trying to understand the Problem

I have noticed a pattern, however. I have found that if I collapse the folder in question and expand (double click) again, that the navigator moves again, this time exposing all sub-folders that are direct descendants of the folder in question. I have also noticed that if the sub-folders are too many to display in the navigation panel, that the selected folder is scrolled to the top of the panel, exposing as many folders that can be viewed. 

I think the intention of the navigation behavior is that when the user expands the folder, it will show as many as possible sub-folders in view - but I also think that this is where there is a bug - or at least where some other setting has an impact on the behavior. - For some reason, when a folder is expanded the navigation pane only finds the first sub-folder and exposes that one - hence the anoying movement of the selected folder away from the current mouse pointer position.

Finding an answer

And yes - even though I think I understand the problem - I agree with everyone elses user experience - This must be fixed!

I am not sure that a moderator will pick this up as this post is marked as awnsered - even though in my opnion it is not.

But if someone does: I think providing an option on the General tab of the Folder Options dialog for a user to turn off this behavior and just expand the folder without attempting to present all viewable folders in the navigation pane.

Regards

Andre Coetzee

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-06-05T18:07:42+00:00

    All 3 of my W7 pc's have this behavior. I am really tired of it! It is very annoying.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-05-14T15:27:23+00:00

    I am the OP.  My primary ID got lost. Maybe it will be fixed.

    It is reported this folder display issue has been fixed in w8.  That's nice.

    But, I still have business clients using wXP and they will continue to do so for another year, at least. And then only if the computers die.

    This will be the same with Windows 7 based computers now in service.  Millions of these computers will be in service 5+ years from now.   Moving to w8 will not happen for any of these clients until lots of testing demonstrates the applications they use will be stable.

    So, this issue, along with a bunch of other stuff will have to be endured for YEARS by MILLIONS of windows 7 users and technicians.

    This is not acceptable.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-05-12T15:26:23+00:00

    Here's what I think... everyone on this 8-page thread should start their own topic and complain about this.  MS can ignore one thread, but maybe when they see 150 of them, they'll start to take this issue seriously. 

    I've heard people say they've released a fix, but I still have this exact same behavior.  Every.  Single.  Time.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-05-10T22:20:24+00:00

    Here we are, TWO YEARS LATER, and the problem still exists. Mind you, I see thousands of other updates coming through, so it must be that Microsoft simply DOESN'T CARE. Am I alone in thinking that this is a serious usability issue and that it should be fixed? I have noticed, more than once, that what Microsoft preaches in terms of interface design, and what it actually gives us, are two entirely different things. The Office suite is a perfect example of that - messing with people's long term memories is not very conducive to good relationships. And I don't really care if there are "workarounds" - it should never have been foisted on us to begin with!

    This problem with Windows Explorer navigation should also never have happened because it USED TO WORK in previous operating systems. Why change it?

    Here is my request: return the navigation to what it is supposed to be: show the selected folder for expansion at the top of the screen instead of the bottom.... (oh yeah..... "please")

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