How to stop explorer from opening new windows

There are a few ways to prevent Windows Explorer from opening new windows:

Method 1: Disable "Open folder windows in a new process"

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > File Explorer.
4. Double-click on "Open folder windows in a new process" and set it to "Disabled".
5. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

Method 2: Use the Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
4. Create a new DWORD value named NoFolderOptions and set its value to 1.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Method 3: Use a third-party software

There are several third-party software available that can help you prevent Windows Explorer from opening new windows. Some popular options include:

• Explorer++: A lightweight file manager that allows you to customize the behavior of Windows Explorer.
• Classic Shell: A software that allows you to customize the Start menu and Explorer.
• File Explorer Tweaker: A software that allows you to customize the behavior of File Explorer.

Method 4: Use a batch script

You can also use a batch script to disable the behavior of Windows Explorer opening new windows. Here's an example script:

@echo off
setx ExplorerFlags /n /e

Save this script as a batch file (e.g., disable_new_windows.bat) and run it as an administrator. This will set the ExplorerFlags registry value to disable the opening of new windows.

Note: These methods may have some limitations or side effects, so be sure to test them thoroughly before implementing them in your production environment.