Classic View and Category View in Windows XP Control Panel

folderoption In Windows XP in the Control Panel – the left hand side that says “Switch to Classic View” or “Switch to Category View” can sometimes be missing. To re-enable this you need to click Tools, then Folder Options and under the General tab ensure that “Show common tasks in folders” is selected then click OK.

You can then elect to switch between the user friendly (apparently) Category View or the more featured Classic View.

catview

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  • http://vintagewatchstraps.com David Boettcher

    Hi Jason,

    When I go to Start->Control Panel it doesn’t look anything like the window that has the left hand side that says “Switch to Classic View” or “Switch to Category View” – I just get a vertical strip of control panel icons with no menu at all, so I can’t click on Tools->Folder Options because there is no “Tools” Help!

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

    Hi there, it sounds like you may have Control Panel displayed as a menu on the Start Menu.

    You can check this by right-clicking on the Start Menu button itself, select Properties, click the Start Menu tab, then the Customize button. Click on the Advanced button and in the section saying Start menu items – see if the option “Display as a menu” is highlighted – if so then that will produce a vertical list of icons you describe.

    You can change this option to “Display as a link” then click Ok then Ok. Now when you click on Start then Control Panel it should appear in its own window.

  • http://vintagewatchstraps.com David Boettcher

    Good grief, what a fast reply!

    And yes, you are quite right, I had got the Control Panel displayed as a menu, and now it’s fixed. I have been Googling for a fix to this one on and off for ages.

    Thanks Jason!

  • http://vintagewatchstraps.com David Boettcher

    Hi Jason,

    I know I’m being cheeky, but perhaps you can help me with another problem I have with XP: Fast User Switching doesn’t work. I went to the microsoft website which told me how to enable it by going to “control panel> user accounts > change the way users log on and off > use fast user switching” but when I followed these instructions I found that the checkbox was already checked. Even so, when I go to Start > Logoff > Switch user, it brings me back to the welcome screen, but then when I try to login to another user account, the screen momentarily flashes, shows the desktop wallpaper for the account I am trying to switch from for a second, then brings me back to the welcome screen. Any ideas? I promise I haven’t got a stack of these questions – this is the only one now!

    Regards – David

  • chagest

    Hi Jason – so, when I click Tools, then Folder Options, under the General tab the “Show common tasks in folders” is shaded (i.e. not an option) unless I click “Restore defaults” which I do, then I click “apply” and it still doesn’t restore the “category view” Any thoughts? thanks!

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

    chagest, it sounds like you may have an active policy disabling the “show common tasks in folders” option. This is likely if you are running a corporate PC.

    This link may help you:
    http://windowsxp.mvps.org/singleclickfolder.htm

    Which basically says that

    the value of ClassicShell needs to be set to zero in:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Policies Explorer
    and
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Policies Explorer

    But always be careful when updating your registry – and make sure you take a backup of your registry first.

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

    David,

    Ensure that Terminal Services service in Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services (or just type services.msc into the command window) is started. Also make sure that the service Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is set to automatic and is started and that Fast User Switching Compatibility is started.

    If this doesn’t fix it check the Event Viewer (Control Panel->Administrative Tools-Event Viewer) to see if any errors or warnings are indicated.

  • Kerri

    Hi Jason,
    Total shot in the dark with this one … your web link was sent to me to try to help me with my simple issue. I have donwloaded a National Geographic desktop background photo and can not remove it, nor over ride it for the life of me!! Usually you can right click on a photo an set it to ‘desktop background,’ but it just won’t remove at all!
    What can I do?
    Thank you,
    Kerri

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk Jason Slater

    Kerri,
    Are you able go get into Start->Control Panel->Display?

    If so, you should be able to go onto the Desktop tab where the Background list will let you change the background.

  • Kerri

    Sure can! The problem is that the actual ‘Desktop’ tab is completely gone! Very strange. I went back on their site and tried to download another to see what would happen and an error message came up saying that there are ‘restrictions’ and to please contact the administrator?? Is it possible I turned something off and did not know?

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk Jason Slater

    Kerri,

    Is this a corporate PC? Perhaps your IT department has locked down the computer using Group Policy. Also, is your PC XP or Vista?

    You may find this post useful

    http://billjr.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!28CBD6442F406227!362.entry

    Jason.

  • Meredith

    Hi,

    I know this is a little off topic, but I just got a new laptop with XP…I’ve had a desktop with XP as well, and I really liked having the XP view (on my toolbar and start up screen and all). My computer seems to be set on Classic view with no option to switch. I was able to switch my control panel and my folders over using your instructions.

    When I try to switch my themes, the only options I have are:
    Window Classic (Modified) — which I want to get away from
    My Current Theme — this doesn’t seem to change anything
    More Themes Online — which is no longer offered by Microsoft
    and Browse — which just takes me to my own files.

    Any suggestions? Is there something I’m missing?

    Thanks,
    Meredith

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

    Meredith, it sounds like a problem with the Luna Theme (luna.msstyles) which is located under Windows->Resources->Themes->Luna

    A fixed Luna file can be downloaded from
    http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

    Scroll down the list to number #187 and on the right hand side you should see a link called “Restore Luna Theme”.

    First backup or copy your Luna.msstyles file (just in case you need to get back to it!) then unzip this file and copy the Luna.msstyles file into Luna folder to replace the older file.

    After a reboot the XP Theme should appear again.

  • Alyssa

    Thank You… This answered my question perfectly. I added your site as a favorite. I am sure I will be bothering you frequently!

    *Smiles*

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

    Thanks for the comment Alyssa – I am pleased you solved your problem :)

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk Pam

    Hello Jason,
    Thanks to your clear instructions and the very helpful graphics, got it fixed in literally less than a minute. And I’m a silver surfer.

  • JOhn

    This link may help you:
    http://windowsxp.mvps.org/singleclickfolder.htm

    Which basically says that

    the value of ClassicShell needs to be set to zero in:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Policies Explorer
    and
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Policies Explorer

    But always be careful when updating your registry – and make sure you take a backup of your registry first.

    When I try to do this, there is no explorer option under policies. Any ideas?

  • mike

    Hi Jason,

    I have a similar problem with my control panel display. I can only get the classic view to show. I do not have the option of category view. I have followed all the fixes you have suggested regarding this, but nothing has worked. This is a home pc and the other users do not have this problem. This has only been a problem since I removed a malware program (antiviruspro9, I think) with Malewarebytes. Any thoughts? Thanks!

  • Pastor Steve

    Hi Jason, Just writing to thank you for some of the advice above. The one on changing from classic to category view in Control Panel has really helped me. Thank you, you are the man!!!

  • BRIAN PETER GALLAGHER

    HI JASON I KEEP GETTING UNABLE TO COMPLETE WINDOWS GENUINE VALIDATION ICON ON MY TASKBAR COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN FINALLY AFTER MONTHS OF TRYING GET RID OF THIS THANKS . BRIAN

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

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  • Cory

    Hi Jason,

    I have a problem like many of the others..my control panel wont let me switch back to the “Switch to Category View”.. i followed everything u said and it doesnt work, I dont even have a tools but i do have a folder options, i go into it and the show common tasks is marked but there still is nothing…it worked fine until i got that anti-spywarexp virus or whatever it is..please help

  • Barnamah

    Hi Thank you for this post.
    in my win xp computer when I click on Start>Setting>control panel I see all the items in control panel.
    how can I change it so I can click on “control panale” annd then see it. Please check the snapshot: http://dav4u.com/cp/control_panel_view.PNG

    regards

  • Barnamah

    Hi,
    thank you jasonslater .
    My start menu is set to “classic start menu” and when I click on the customiz button there is not “control panel” menu with submenu.
    please view the image:
    http://dav4u.com/cp/start_menu_snap.PNG
    thank you

  • Barnamah

    Thank you again jasonslater
    I did create the registry:
    http://dav4u.com/cp/registry_issue.PNG
    and it did not change it.
    I did change manually to “start menu” and then customize and advanced and set it link it works. But when I change it to “classic menu” it is back as Menu not a link.
    regards

  • Cory

    i still need help!!!

  • Jarle

    Switch to classic view doesn’t work: I click on “Switch to classic view” but nothing happens. Or almost nothing: I get a default Beep, indicating an error.

    Any suggestions? Thanks!

  • Queenn

    Hello Jason,
    I have a problem.
    So my category login view wont work,it brings me to the classic view one and as much as I press ‘Switch to Category View’,the Control Panel changes but my login process stays the same.
    What do I do to get my Category View login way back? :(

  • Dennis

    Hi Jason,
    I’ve reviewed the previous post on the problem of not being abe to get the “Category View”. I’ve verified the Control is displayed as as a link and I’ve verified the registry data for the ForceClassicControlPanel. I used to have it, but I don’t rember when I lost it! Any help would be appreciated!

    Tks,
    Dennis

  • Sam

    I have a problem similar to queenn. My OS is windows xp professional service pack 2. I have managed to get my control panel in category view, but my actual options still seem to be in classic mode, at least when i try to alter my accounts. when i go to user accounts, i am greeted with the old classic view, but everything else is category. this means that there is no option to turn on the welcome screen or fast user switching.when i click on user accounts, i see a box which has two tabs at the top, one labelled users the other labelled advanced. under the users tab is a table with the titles “user name”, “domain”, and “group”, and an option to change the administrators password. under advanced there are three sections; “passwords and NET. passports”, “advanced user management”, and “secure logon”. If i try to change the way i logon with a program such as logon loader, my computer locks itself.
    Please Help!!!!!!!

  • ume

    to change your control panel from category view to classic view

    first click the start menu–>control panel–>then click tools (it’s located above beside favorites)—>then click folder options–>then go to general tab and click “show common tasks in folders” then click ok!

    you’re done!

  • Alex Gonzalez

    Hello, im new at this things so im not really sure what kind of windows xp i have, but i have one problem, i do as you said above in this web site, but when i get the side bar (FINALLY) it doesnt show the option to switch the category or classic view, it only shows the also show options, can you help me please!??

  • brittany

    Hello. I have ready through all of the posts above and tried all your advice thus far; however, I am still unable to see the category view in the Control Panel. I, too, had the virus malware program (antiviruspro9, I think) with Malewarebytes. This was removed and have not had the category view since. Please advise as there are some functions in the control panel that do not show under the classic view that only showed under the category view that I am desperate to run on my PC> thank you sooooo soooo much

  • Donna P

    Thank You for this info…I was so frustrated when I lost mine and could not figure out what happened!

  • Luq

    hmm i followed all the steps , written in the posts to get my classic view back but .. it doesnt show up in the top left , dunno why i have had viruses beore but easily removed , maybe same problem as brittany, in removing the virus it might of removed that option or corrupted it , wonder if using the windows cd to repair would work and advice would be helpful.

  • akshat

    thank you very very very very very much thanks a lot

  • Gort

    Hi Jason,

    I followed your advice: clicked Show common tasks in folders Up pops Windows Update and Help and Support but no Category View. When I click See Also above these icons, both the aforementioned disappear! Need category view to change settings as I need to allocate more space than the default of 200 MB, which should allow me to switch on System Restore which at present is off.

  • sarah

    Hi!
    My control panel is stuck on classic view and I don’t have the option to change it on the left top part!! I want it in category view! I have an IBM Think Pad and it was used by a company so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it!! Please Help I can’t stand classic view!! Thanks so much!!
    Peace Out!!!

  • abdalla iman

    umm i dont know wat happened but my computer went from windows xp 2 windows classic and i cant change it please help

  • Ashlee

    I’ve been searching online to try to figure out a way to view the log-in and log-out times and dates for my computer. I finally found a post relating to this and it said that for the first step- i need to switch my control panel to classic?
    I found this thread and tried your steps as listed above. When i get to tools, folder options, then the general tab – it shows no option for “show common tasks in folders”.

    The three main group listings are:
    -Browse folders
    -Click items as follows
    -Navigation pane

    I don’t know if you know of an easier or simpler solution to view the log-in and log-out times?? -Or if you have any answers regarding my “show common tasks in folders” solution? Thanks!

    -Ashlee

  • Mike

    THANKS Jason Slater for this post, it worked. Your awesome.

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

    You need to right click on the green Start button (bottom right), select properties then go onto the Start Menu tab, then click Customize then go into the Advanced Tab. The first item in the Start menu items panel says “Control Panel” and under it you can choose to display it as a link (preferred), or as a menu (which is what you appear to have at the moment). Hope that helps.

  • http://www.jasonslater.co.uk jasonslater

    Ah, I had assumed you were on just the “Start Menu” option – and not on the “Classic Start Menu”.

    It sounds like your registry has possibly overridden the settings under Customize. You could try setting the Expand Control Panel option,click OK, then unset the same option and click OK.

    If this doesn’t work perhaps it is a group policy problem – if you are comfortable with the registry you can check the registry settings by loading regedit and navigating to HKEY_CURRENT_USER->Software->Microsoft->Windows->CurrentVersion->Policies->Explorer
    If there is a setting for “ForceClassicControlPanel” set it to 1, if not create it as a dword and set it to 1.

  • Jerry

    I too have the secondary problem mentioned; though I don’t believe it’s virus related in this case. One of our XP machines displays the “Switch to classic view” option in the control panel’s sidebar, but clicking it does nothing; it stays in category view. Editing the registry showed no “ForceClassicControlPanel” key, and adding that (with a value of 1) did have an effect: the “Switch to classic view” link disappeared from the sidebar, but it stayed in category view. I’ve never seen this before; pretty perplexing behavior!

    You’re number one in the Google results searching for this problem years later, so I thought I’d chime in, even though it’s old. ;)