Here is an interesting one, regarding Windows Explorer, that someone asked me about a few days ago.

They were telling me that on their work computer, which is running Windows XP, that clicking on a folder in Explorer automatically expands the folder and contracts other folders – whereas on their home computer, which is also Windows XP, it does not.

On their home computer they have to click on the plus and minus signs next to each folder name to expand and contract folders as appropriate. The preference was to change their work computer to work in the same way as their home computer – to keep open the folders rather than closing all but the currently expanded one.

It took a few minutes of looking through the options under the Folder Options within Explorer, which can be accessed by clicking on Tools then Options.

On the View tab there is a section headed “Advanced Settings” with a particular entry “Display simple folder in Explorer’s Folders list”.

On their home computer this was unchecked whereas on their work computer it was checked – and sure enough, un-checking the option on their work computer achieved what they wanted.