Enable “Show Folder And Search Option” In Windows 7


In Windows, NoFolderOptions policy hides the folder options from control panel and even disables the Show Folder and Search options from the command under Tools Menu in Windows Explorer. If your computer is not a part of an office environment or any other organizational network than you might be having a risk of a virus which disables these options as a part of infection. This policy in the registry also hides the file extensions to known file types so that the virus may infect your system in stealth. To enable this option, follow these simple steps.

The Show Folder And Search Option is grayed out like this:
folderopt

To enable it follow one of these methods, it is always advisable to backup your registry before making any changes.

Using Registry Editor

Click Start menu button and type regedit in the Search bar.
If User Access Control window pops up to ask for permission, click Continue.
When Regedit.exe is launched navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
HKLM policy

And navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
policies
Delete the NoFolderOptions value (if found any) from the above locations and exit the Registry Editor.

Using Group Policy Editor

Group Policy Editor is as vital component as Registry Editor but unfortunately is not available in Windows XP Home Edition and Windows Vista Home Editions, for all other editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista, you can use the registry editor method to remove the Policy setting.
Launch Group Policy Editor by Clicking Start menu and type GPEDIT.MSC in the Start menu search bar.
Or you can type GPEDIT.msc in Run dialog box.

gpedit

If User Access Control window pops up to ask for permission, click Continue
Navigate to the following branch:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer
windows explorer

Double-click Removes the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu


setting

Set it to Not configured.


not configured

This will make your option re-enabled if disabled by any virus, keep your suggestions and comments coming.

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