Windows File Explorer, navigating folders opens new windows and back button not working

Hello -

I did some searching through the forums and I did not find anything similar, but this is my first post so forgive me if I missed something.

I recently installed a new machine to Windows Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.1742).

I am experiencing an issue where the back button does not work occasionally, so navigating folders is quite difficult. There is no lag or resource shortage on the machine.
When this issue appears, there is an additional symptom where clicking on the folders ex. 1:



If I click on the folder in this portion of the address bar, it simply opens a totally new window instead of just navigating to the desired folder.

I am not sure if this is some strange new functionality, but I am used to the current window just transitioning to the target folder.

This is the back button in question:

I also checked my keyboard, because I know that sometimes holding Shift or Control while clicking can do strange things, but I'm definitely not holding those keys when I click.

Thanks for any insight or help.

have a look here please.
open explorer in the top bar there are 3 dots ... click on them.
on the drop down menu .. at the bottom .. click options.

a new small window will open and on the first tab 'general' right at the top is ..
A) open each folder in the same window
B) open each folder in its own window

make sure the first option is marked then at the bottom click apply.
see if that works. best of luck, Steve ..

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the quick reply. I took a look, and this is what I saw.



Indeed the first option was selected, and just to make sure, I clicked in the address bar and again it opened a new folder.

that looks all OK will have to have a think and see if something else can cause it or can repair explorer.

just to add.

best of luck, Steve ..

As for the Back button, if the folder opened in a new window there is nothing to go back to so the back and forward buttons become ineffective.

Hi Berton,

The new window only opens when I click on the folder in the address bar trying to go back to a previous folder. If I navigate forward several folders deep (by clicking in the large area where all the folders are listed) and then try to go back, it does not work.

It is really strange.