How to Enable Tools -> Folder Options and Registry Editor in Windows

Many times Windows users face a common problem. The "Folder Options" in "Tools" menu is not visible. Even It can't be accessed from Control Panel. Also "Registry Editor" is disabled.

If you are also facing this problem, then you have come to right place. Follow the simple steps mentioned in this tutorial and your problem will be solved:

1. If Folder Options is disabled but Registry Editor is still working in your system, then you can enable Folder Options by editing Windows Registry. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. it'll open Registry Editor, now go to following keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, check whether a DWORD value named NoFolderOptions exists or not? If it exists, delete it.

2. If you are not familiar with editing the registry, then you can simply download following file, extract it and then run the .REG file:

folder_options.zip

3. But sometimes Registry Editor is also disabled. Whenever you try to open regedit, Windows will show following error message:

Registry Editor has been disabled by administrator.

Its a symptom of “RONTOKBRO” Trojan. To remove this trojan, follow the instructions given in following topic:

Is Your System Infected with a Virus / Spyware / Adware / Trojan?

4. If its not a trojan problem and someone intentionally has disabled it in your system, then you can enable it again by following any of these methods:

a. Type gpedit.msc in RUN dialog box and goto:

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System

in right-side pane, set "Prevent access to Registry editing tools" to either Not Configured or Disabled.

b. Just type following in RUN dialog box and press <ENTER>:

REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Now after enabling Registry Editor, you can re-enable Folder Options by following methods mentioned in 1st or 2nd steps.

Complete list of AskVG articles

This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

Share |

267 Comments

VG

^^ Please check following link:

http://www.google.com/support/pack/bin/static.py?page=known_issues.cs
Moe

^^
hey VG, thank you for the reply, I tried the above link you posted and tried to download the latest version of google earth but still same problem occurs on my laptop, it displays "google updater can't continue(error 0x80004005)".

I'm really not sure why it keeps doing that, i'm not sure if its something within the registry perhaps. If you could help me again with this matter I sure do appreciate that, thank you.
VG

^^ Try to uninstall it completely. Uninstall from Add/remove programs, then delete its folder from "Program Files". Also find "Google Earth" entries in regedit and if you find, delete it.

Now restart your system and then try to reinstall the latest version. It might help.
MOE

^^I don't have google earth installed I'm trying to install it on my laptop...but I did what you have above and I only had google toolbar in the add/remove programs which i removed to see if it works and removed it from regedit & programs file as well, however still same situation occurs...do you have any other saggestions???
VG

^^ Are you also using Google Chrome by any chance?
Narciso

Hi everybody. I must say that your method helped me, I don't know how can I thank you.
Maybe I'm acting like a child..but you are great.
And intteligent.
Thank you a lot.
Eduard , Romania
MOE

^^hey VG...no I'm not using chrome
VG

^^ There must be an entry of Google in either regedit or in system drive which is causing this problem. I'm sorry but can't help much in this issue.
humple

how can i disable seraching for hidden files using regedit...Is there any way to do that... So that ppl cant open my file if they know the file name...Thanx in advance..
hapit

waw, thankz for your tips. very helper..!!