Windows Vista - Explorer - Open Folders in Separate Windows

SUMMARY: When performing file maintenance on a Windows Vista system, consider opening separate Explorer windows.

By default and to keep the Desktop "clean", Windows Vista attempts to open Explorer folders in the same window, preventing multiple windows from flooding the screen.

For example, if you open a window for the C: drive, then navigate to a hypothetical Downloads folder, the contents of the window will be replaced with those of the Downloads folder.

When performing file maintenance, this behavior may not be desired. If you plan on moving files between folders, it may prove necessary to open each Explorer folder in its own window.

To open (browse) a particular folder in a separate window, just right-click the folder and choose "Open". However, to change the behavior for all Explorer folders, making this step unnecessary, access the folder options feature. Either:

* Open a folder in Explorer. Press the ALT key to temporarily show the menu, and then select "Tools" - "Folder Options".

* Click the Windows/Start button, type "folder options", and press ENTER.

* Click on the "Organize" button in an Explorer folder, and then choose "Folder and Search Options".

Then:

2. When the "Folder Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the "General" tab.

3. Underneath "Browse Folders" click the "Open each folder in its own window" radio button.

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.