“Folder Options” Missing in Explorer

“Folder Options” Missing in Explorer

QUESTION:
I’m running Windows XP Pro with SP3 preloaded. I do not have “Folder Options” in the Control Panel nor could I find it in My Computer from the Start Menu as you suggested in your recent comment re “single click” file opening. “Tools” on the Windows Explorer task bar does not include ‘View’. I want to have file extensions included in the filenames in Explorer but cannot find any other way to do it. Can I get “Folder Options” back in business? – H.N.R.

ANSWER:
1. It sometimes happens that the “Folder Options” choice is missing in Explorer. Try this to restore it if you have XP Pro:
2. Click Start | Run
3. Type gpedit.msc
4. In the Group Policy Editor, in the left pane navigate to User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Explorer
    In the right pane, enable and then disable the item “Removes Folder Options menu from Tools menu”
5. Close all Explorer windows, then reopen.
If this doesn’t restore the Folder Options, there is a registry file you can run for that purpose. Go to this web site and scroll down to number 129, “Restore Folder Options Under Tools.”
http://www.wxpnews.com/AJB4NJ/090210-Restore-Folder-Options

Be sure you are using the right sequence to get to it: In My Computer or Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer), click Tools on the menu bar, then Folder Options, then the View tab. For a step-by-step with screenshots, see:
http://www.wxpnews.com/AJB4NJ/090210-Screenshots