Depending on your configuration, when you open a subfolder inside a Windows XP Explorer folder window, one of two things may happen. Either the view of the current folder's contents is replaced with the view of the subfolder's contents, or a new window appears with the view of the subfolder's contents.

Either way, you can still open subfolders in new windows on a subfolder-by-subfolder basis. Just hold the Ctrl key down while opening the subfolder. However, if you wish to change the default subfolder opening behavior, do the following:

1. Open a folder in Explorer. One shortcut is to double-click the "My Computer" icon on the desktop, if it exists.

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

3. The "Folder Options" multi-tabbed dialog box will appear. Select the "General" tab.

4. Underneath "Browse folders", select the "Open each folder in the same window" or "Open each folder in its own window" radio button as desired.

5. Click "OK" to save your settings and close the dialog box.

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