In XP, Tools, Folder Options Click on File Types Tab Highlight Folder Click Advanced Highlight explore Click set default Click OK Click OK again Now all my folders open in explore mode (two panes) even from shortcuts on my desk top when I click on any of them. Thank you for letting me go search for the answer!! Judith My Book Club is the best value on the Net For $10 because "Sharing is the key to all our $uccess!" http://www.agoodread.com -- <Please delete this line and everything below.> To unsub or change your email settings: http://www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ http://www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/