Can't "select all" in Windows Explorer

I can no longer do the "select all" function in Windows Explorer. It's
grayed out. Also, If I select a file and then do a Shift-select to choose
multiple files, it doesn't work. I can only select one file at a time.

I've been playing around trying to get Windows Explorer to default to the
look that I want, namely, details with all the column headings that I want.
So I have done multiple Tools/Folder Options changes and have selected "Apply
to all folders" multiple times.

So... thinking that I must have done something to mess up a primary
functeion of windows, I tried using System Restore to a point prior to when I
began trying to optimize my system to do what I want. It hasn't returned my
system to the previous state.

How can I get the "Select All" function back? What did I do?

I've tried using windows HELP and it just returns an explaination of what I
used to be able to do (e.g., do an alt-select-all) which no longer works.

Lee Beck;460409 Wrote:
> I can no longer do the "select all" function in Windows Explorer. It's
> grayed out. Also, If I select a file and then do a Shift-select to
> choose
> multiple files, it doesn't work. I can only select one file at a time.
>
> I've been playing around trying to get Windows Explorer to default to
> the
> look that I want, namely, details with all the column headings that I
> want.
> So I have done multiple Tools/Folder Options changes and have selected
> "Apply
> to all folders" multiple times.
>
> So... thinking that I must have done something to mess up a primary
> functeion of windows, I tried using System Restore to a point prior to
> when I
> began trying to optimize my system to do what I want. It hasn't
> returned my
> system to the previous state.
>
> How can I get the "Select All" function back? What did I do?
>
> I've tried using windows HELP and it just returns an explaination of
> what I
> used to be able to do (e.g., do an alt-select-all) which no longer
> works.

Hi Lee,

You might try this method for selecting multiple file. This tutorial
will show you how to select them with check boxes.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76...eck-boxes.html


You might find these tutorials helpful in changing the Windows Explorer
template.
1. Reset Folder Views so Vista will remember your changes.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/70...-settings.html

2. Folder Type Templates and Columns
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/77...templates.html


Shawn


--
brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
OM\")
*Please post feedback to help others.*

Hi, Lee:

Your problem may occur when a folder incorrectly gets the FWF_SINGLESEL flag
(http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms649291.aspx).

Folder flags are stored in this registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags. If you don't mind losing all
folder customizations you've made so far, simply delete the registry key I
mentioned before and open Windows Explorer again to see the results.

--
Regards,
Daniel MartÃ*n
Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User


"Lee Beck" <> wrote in message
news:84C7DB44-5B25-4317-B263-...
>I can no longer do the "select all" function in Windows Explorer. It's
> grayed out. Also, If I select a file and then do a Shift-select to choose
> multiple files, it doesn't work. I can only select one file at a time.
>
> I've been playing around trying to get Windows Explorer to default to the
> look that I want, namely, details with all the column headings that I
> want.
> So I have done multiple Tools/Folder Options changes and have selected
> "Apply
> to all folders" multiple times.
>
> So... thinking that I must have done something to mess up a primary
> functeion of windows, I tried using System Restore to a point prior to
> when I
> began trying to optimize my system to do what I want. It hasn't returned
> my
> system to the previous state.
>
> How can I get the "Select All" function back? What did I do?
>
> I've tried using windows HELP and it just returns an explaination of what
> I
> used to be able to do (e.g., do an alt-select-all) which no longer works.

Daniel - Thanks. You put me on the right track.

I tried using regedit and got to the shell\bags folder that you (and your
specified URL) suggested. However, there was nothing that looked like the
list in the URL. I got several hundred numbered folders instead. I did a
search for FWF_SINGLESEL and the registry search engine couldn't find it. I
did a google search for FWF_SINGLESEL and found a script that was offered at
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-file-m...-computer.html.
I downloaded the script, ran it, and it fixed the problem. I still don't
know why my Bags folder doesn't look like what was specified. I may look
more into this in the futhre. I'm running vista 32 home premium.

Thanks again for your help

"Daniel MartÃ*n [MVP Windows]" wrote:

> Hi, Lee:
>
> Your problem may occur when a folder incorrectly gets the FWF_SINGLESEL flag
> (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms649291.aspx).
>
> Folder flags are stored in this registry key:
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local
> Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags. If you don't mind losing all
> folder customizations you've made so far, simply delete the registry key I
> mentioned before and open Windows Explorer again to see the results.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Daniel MartÃ*n
> Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
>
>
> "Lee Beck" <> wrote in message
> news:84C7DB44-5B25-4317-B263-...
> >I can no longer do the "select all" function in Windows Explorer. It's
> > grayed out. Also, If I select a file and then do a Shift-select to choose
> > multiple files, it doesn't work. I can only select one file at a time.
> >
> > I've been playing around trying to get Windows Explorer to default to the
> > look that I want, namely, details with all the column headings that I
> > want.
> > So I have done multiple Tools/Folder Options changes and have selected
> > "Apply
> > to all folders" multiple times.
> >
> > So... thinking that I must have done something to mess up a primary
> > functeion of windows, I tried using System Restore to a point prior to
> > when I
> > began trying to optimize my system to do what I want. It hasn't returned
> > my
> > system to the previous state.
> >
> > How can I get the "Select All" function back? What did I do?
> >
> > I've tried using windows HELP and it just returns an explaination of what
> > I
> > used to be able to do (e.g., do an alt-select-all) which no longer works.
>
>