File Explorer is displaying my drives twice and can't fix it

[Shlomi]

Hi friends,
The File Explorer program displays all my drives twice.
I followed this tutorial who show how to fix it:
http://www.askvg.com/fix-drives-appearing-twice-in-navigation-pane-of-windows-10-explorer-this-pc/

What have to do is:
Delete the {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} key.

It is really works but not for long, after i connect few devices the problem is return.
It can work for few hours or 1-2 days but no for long time.

I even tried to change it to {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old and not to delete it.
But it also creates another one who called:
{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} - The default one..

So it means i have 2 keys:
{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old

I want to fix it once to make it work for long time.
What can i do to fix it ?


Thank you very much.

 

[Regedit32]

What is your System Architecture for your computer? 32-bit or 64-bit?

The 64-bit Architecture contains to Registry locations for the key you mentioned, both of which need modification to prevent the symptom you are describing.

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders
  
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders
  
  Both of these keys contain the {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} you need to delete or modify.

If you were needing to modify then you'd need to go to the keys they point to:

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
  
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
  
  It's here where the actions are set.

The suggestion to delete these keys is at best a temporary solution and in my opinion a rather stupid suggestion. It seems to me you actually need to reset the Value Data of their respective CLASS ROOT keys to prevent further occurrences of the symptoms you are experiencing.

You may want to contact the author of your article and ask them for advice on that.

By the way in total there are 8 instances of the {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} in question. It seems to me the article author was too lazy to be bothered verifying their quick fix or perhaps had a deadline to meet for their monthly blog postings.

In terms of a quick fix, rather than stuff around deleting keys that automatically regenerate, it'd be easier to open Task Manager then click on Explorer and restart the process which would achieve the same result.

 

[Shlomi]

What is your System Architecture for your computer? 32-bit or 64-bit?

The 64-bit Architecture contains to Registry locations for the key you mentioned, both of which need modification to prevent the symptom you are describing.

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders
  
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders
  
  Both of these keys contain the {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} you need to delete or modify.

If you were needing to modify then you'd need to go to the keys they point to:

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
  
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
  
  It's here where the actions are set.

The suggestion to delete these keys is at best a temporary solution and it seems to me you actually need to reset the Value Data of their respective CLASS ROOT keys to prevent further occurrences of the symptoms you are experiencing.

You may want to contact the author of your article and ask them for advice on that.

By the way in total there are 8 instances of the {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} in question. It seems to me the article author was too lazy to be bothered verifying their quick fix or perhaps had a deadline to meet for their monthly blog postings.

In terms of a quick fix, rather than stuff around deleting keys that automatically regenerate, it'd be easier to open Task Manager then click on Explorer and restart the process which would achieve the same result.

I use 64bit, but I can't understand what of them I have to delete to make it finally work?
Thank you friend.

 

[Regedit32]

I use 64bit, but I can't understand what of them I have to delete to make it finally work?
Thank you friend.

Going by your article you would delete both instances. As I said though this is a stupid suggestion and only a temporary fix. You could achieve the same result via Task Manager, selecting Explorer and restarting the process.

 

[Regedit32]

You could confirm your attributes by querying the CLASS ROOTS.

• right-click on Start
• left-click on Command Prompt
• In the Command Prompt window type or copy & paste the following commands:
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder" /v Attributes

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder" /v Attributes

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  Sample image of possible results:
  
  
  

Are your results as above?

 

[Shlomi]

You could confirm your attributes by querying the CLASS ROOTS.

• right-click on Start
• left-click on Command Prompt
• In the Command Prompt window type or copy & paste the following commands:
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder" /v Attributes

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder" /v Attributes

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  Sample image of possible results:
  
  View attachment 3455

Are your results as above?

I forgot to say but I delete they both.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}

Or change it to .old.

I will do the steps before I will do the tutorial or before?

 

[Regedit32]

You will want to add those two keys back then, and their subkeys and variables and data value.

Prior to deleting these keys did you export the keys as a backup? Or did you create a Restore Point of System before editing your Registry? Both could be used to fix this.

If not, I'll have to post some instructions on manually adding the missing keys and variables.

 

[Shlomi]

You will want to add those two keys back then, and their subkeys and variables and data value.

Prior to deleting these keys did you export the keys as a backup? Or did you create a Restore Point of System before editing your Registry? Both could be used to fix this.

If not, I'll have to post some instructions on manually adding the missing keys and variables.

it is not clear for me.. what is the different ? I did all this steps and isn't working.. can you tell me exactly step by step what to do to fix it? and for your question, I don't take any backup before I change the registry..

 

[Regedit32]

I first need you to list all the Registry keys you deleted.

Your initial post implied you only deleted one key, but when I mentioned if you have 64-bit Architecture there is another key, you said you deleted that too.

Then when I asked you to query two CLASS ROOT \ CLSID keys you now say you deleted those too.

So if you can clearly post all the keys you deleted or renamed to .old and the full path to these maybe we can work out a way to resolve the issue.

 

[Shlomi]

I first need you to list all the Registry keys you deleted.

Your initial post implied you only deleted one key, but when I mentioned if you have 64-bit Architecture there is another key, you said you deleted that too.

Then when I asked you to query two CLASS ROOT \ CLSID keys you now say you deleted those too.

So if you can clearly post all the keys you deleted or renamed to .old and the full path to these maybe we can work out a way to resolve the issue.

I changed this:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders
The folder who called {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} to .old

I did the same in this:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders
And changed this:
{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} to .old

That's it, can you help me what to do next?
Thank you so much.

 

[Regedit32]

Did you make those changes by opening Registry Editor (i.e. Start > Run > Regedit)?

 

[Shlomi]

Did you make those changes by opening Registry Editor (i.e. Start > Run > Regedit)?

No I used Regownshipit software to do it...

 

[Regedit32]

That is a Third Party Tool and to be honest is not a very good tool.

It will be simpler to walk you through the Registry Editor provided in your Windows installation.

• Right-click on Start
• Left-click on Run
• In the Run dialog type Regedit then click OK
• A User Account Control dialog will pop up. Click Yes
• The Registry Editor will now open. In the left pane expand the registry keys to this location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

— SOFTWARE

— Microsoft

— Windows

— CurrentVersion

— Explorer

— Desktop

— NameSpace

— DelegateFolders

{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old​

• I am assuming you renamed that as above and there are no other subkeys beneath DelegatFolders other than {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old
  
  In the left pane you need to right-click on {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old and select Rename.Change the name to be {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
  
  When done press F5 key to refresh Registry.

• Next in left pane you need to left-click on {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} to view its content in the right pane. There should be a single variable in the right pane called Default.
  
  Double-left-click on Default and in the window that pops up the Value data: ought to say Removable Drives. If it does not say that, then enter Removable Drives then click OK then press F5 key.
  
  
• Next in left pane scroll back to top and expand the keys to the following location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

— SOFTWARE

— WOW6432Node

— Microsoft

— Windows

— CurrentVersion

— Explorer

— Desktop

— NameSpace

— DelegateFolders

{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old
​

• Again, I am assuming you renamed this to {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old
  
  In left pane you need to right-click on {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}.old and select Rename. Name it {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} then press F5 to refresh Registry.
  
  
  
• Next in left pane you need to left-click on {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} to view its content in the right pane. There should be a single variable in the right pane called Default.
  
  Double-left-click on Default and in the window that pops up the Value data: ought to say Removable Drives. If it does not say that, then enter Removable Drives then click OK then press F5 key.

• Close the Registry Editor. Also, close any other open programs.
• Shutdown your computer completely.
• When its fully shutdown, power the computer back on and allow it to boot up and logon to Desktop.
• Next right-click on Start then left-click on Command Prompt
• In the Command Prompt window type or copy & paste the following commands, pressing Enter key after each command to execute:
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders"

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}"

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders"

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}"

  
  Press Enter key to execute

• Now post a screen capture of your results or type results in your response.
  
  Sample image of commands and results expected:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I also want you to do the reg queries I asked you to do the other day which you have still not done. Those were for the keys:
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}
• Post your results for those two. I gave you a sample image of expected results the other day. Scroll back to my post yesterday at 1:32 pm for instructions on what I asked you to do and the sample image.