Windows Explorer Does Not Display Item's Contents in Right Pane

ID: Q179875

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you click a drive or folder in the All Folders pane (the left pane) in Windows Explorer, its contents may not be displayed in the right pane.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if both of the following conditions exist:

Windows Explorer is configured for Details view.

The Name, Size, Type, and Modified columns are moved to the left edge of the header bar in the right pane, causing them to not be visible.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, click in the right pane, and then press CTRL+PLUS SIGN (make sure to use the PLUS SIGN key on the numeric keypad).

This sets the columns on the header bar to use a minimal amount of space. You can change the width of the columns by dragging the vertical bars located between the column names.

Alternate Method

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

If the method above does not work, try this method:

Start Registry Editor (regedit.exe).

Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Delete the DirectoryColsX binary value.

Quit Registry Editor.

This resets the column widths when you next start Windows Explorer. The DirectoryColsX entry is re-created the next time you specify custom column sizes in Windows Explorer.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior does not occur if you configure Windows Explorer for Large Icons, Small Icons, or List view. To change the view Windows Explorer uses to display items in the right pane, click the command associated with the view you want on the View menu.

Additional query words: details webview blank empty

Keywords : kbui win95
Version : WINDOWS:95
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb