How to Enable Tools -> Folder Options and Registry Editor in Windows

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Many times Windows users face a common problem. The "Folder Options" in "Tools" menu is automatically
removed or disabled in Windows Explorer. In fact you can't access it from Control Panel. Also whenever you try to
open "Registry Editor", you get a message that its disabled by Administrator.
If you are also facing this problem, then you have come to right place. Follow the simple steps mentioned in this
tutorial and your problem will be solved:
1. If Folder Options is disabled but Registry Editor is still working in your system, then you can
enableFolder Options by editing Windows Registry. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. it'll open
Registry Editor, now go to following keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer
In right-side pane, check whether a DWORD value named NoFolderOptions exists or not? If it exists, delete it.

2. If you are not familiar with editing the registry, then you can simply download following file, extract it and then run
the .REG file:
Download Registry Script
3. But sometimes Registry Editor is also disabled. Whenever you try to open regedit, Windows will
showfollowing error message:
Registry Editor has been disabled by administrator.
Its a symptom of "RONTOKBRO" Trojan. To remove this trojan, follow the instructions given in following topic:
Is Your System Infected with a Virus / Spyware / Adware / Trojan?
4. If its not a trojan problem and someone has disabled it intentionally in your system, then you can enable it again by
using any of following 2 methods:
a. Type gpedit.msc in RUN dialog box and go to:
User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System
in right-side pane, set "Prevent access to Registry editing tools" to either Not Configured or Disabled.

b. Just type following in RUN dialog box and press <ENTER>:
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t
REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Now after enabling Registry Editor, you can re-enable Folder Options by following methods mentioned in 1st or 2nd
steps.
Enable Show Folder And Search Option If Disabled By A Virus
In Windows
by Asad on November 13, 2008
Windows
17 Comments
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:

To enable it follow one of these methods, it is always advisable to backup your registry before making any
changes if your not familiar with backing up of registry, you can learn it from here.
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

And navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer

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.

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

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

Set it to Not configured.

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