In Windows XP Explorer, it is possible to toggle a folder list pane to be displayed to the left of the currently open folder's icons or filenames. However, if you need to change this behavior for all folders, so that every newly-open folder either displays or hides the Folders view, perform the following:

WARNING: Be VERY careful when performing this tip as a mistake could potentially result in not being able to open folders from within Windows XP! Standard disclaimers apply.

1. Double-click "My Computer" on the desktop.

2. Select "Tools" - "Folder Options".

3. When the "Folder Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the "File Types" tab.

4. Wait until the "Registered File Types" view is populated.

5. Scroll down to "Folder" and click it. Be sure it is "Folder" and not "File Folder".

6. Click the "Advanced" button.

7. An "Edit File Type" dialog box will appear. You should see at least two options - "explore" and "open".

8. To hide the folder list/view when you open new folders in Explorer, click "open" and then the button "Set Default". Likewise, to show the folder list/view when you open new folders in Explorer, click "explore" and then the button "Set Default".

9. Click "OK" on the dialog boxes to close them.

10. Close "My Computer", then re-open it, and you should see your changes take affect.

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