"Browse For Folder" during various software installation doesn't work.


  1. zYx
    Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    "Browse For Folder" during various software installation doesn't work.


    Hi all,

    I noticed a really annoying issue on my machine.

    When installing various software, when it asks me if I want to customise location, when I click on the "browse" button, it either doesn't do anything or in some cases it will open "Browser For Folder" window, but it will only show my Desktop>Usename folder, nothing else.

    Software like K-Lite Codec pack will work fine as in I can change the installation location, but other software wont work :/

    I do have mapped network drives if it makes any difference.

    Any help would be much appreciated!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #2

    Which Various Software are you speaking of? Many software programs need to be installed on the C: drive and do not give you the option to install to any other drives. You cannot install to a Network Drive as all programs needs to have access to the Windows Registry on the C: drive. Some programs can be installed to a secondary Local HDD. Stuff like Codecs Packs, which aren't really programs, can be installed anywhere, usually.
      My Computer


  3. zYx
    Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    spunk said:
    Which Various Software are you speaking of? Many software programs need to be installed on the C: drive and do not give you the option to install to any other drives. You cannot install to a Network Drive as all programs needs to have access to the Windows Registry on the C: drive. Some programs can be installed to a secondary Local HDD. Stuff like Codecs Packs, which aren't really programs, can be installed anywhere, usually.
    Hey, I am fully aware of the above, but my problem is not that.

    For example
    &quot;Browse For Folder&quot; during various software installation doesn't work.-windows-installer.png <ignore it's WinXP. I just found it online as an example
    when I click on "Browse" button, nothing happens. Something is broken. An Explorer window should appear and allow me to select a different location, but this does not happen.

    My issue is not how to change the location, but why is that "Browse" button not working? Majority of installers allow me to enter the location address manually, but some don't and only "Browse" button works.

    edit: I created a simple WinRAR exe to test the "Browse" button, and this is what happens, but in majority of cases, this button doesn't show that "Browse For Folders" window.
    &quot;Browse For Folder&quot; during various software installation doesn't work.-browseerror.jpg
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #4

    If you see the Browse for Folders dialog box, take the drop down arrow to the left of your User name for a selection of folders.
    Other then that try this:

    1. click start and then click run.
    2. type "regedit" and then click ok.
    3. navigate to the key "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Applications"
    4. right click the key and click delete.
      My Computer


  5. zYx
    Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    spunk said:
    If you see the Browse for Folders dialog box, take the drop down arrow to the left of your User name for a selection of folders.
    Other then that try this:

    1. click start and then click run.
    2. type "regedit" and then click ok.
    3. navigate to the key "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Applications"
    4. right click the key and click delete.

    I know about the arrow. Things like My PC, Network etc are missing.

    I'm trying this SFC /SCANNOW Command now. I will try your solution after a reboot.

    Ok, the SFC didn't work.

    and before I deleted the key you mentioned, I wanted to export it to my Desktop. I couldn't. Is it because my Desktop is located on a mapped drive? Documents is also located on mapped drive. This was never a problem in previous Windows editions. To export it to my Desktop folder, I had to manually go to my network location where I keep my stuff, and manually find my Desktop folder. This worked.

    Is Windows 10 doing something different with regards to Default folder locations?


    if I run this WinRAR exe As Administrator, this happens:

    &quot;Browse For Folder&quot; during various software installation doesn't work.-browseerror.jpg
    Last edited by zYx; 20 Jul 2016 at 15:43.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #6

    Make sure your Default folder anchors lead to your Network Drives.
    In File Explorer browse to C:\User\[YourUserName] Right click Desktop/Properties/Location tab and press Move browse your new location.
    Do this for all other anchors in your User Name file
      My Computer


  7. zYx
    Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #7

    spunk said:
    Make sure your Default folder anchors lead to your Network Drives.
    In File Explorer browse to C:\User\[YourUserName] Right click Desktop/Properties/Location tab and press Move browse your new location.
    Do this for all other anchors in your User Name file
    That is all done properly, like you said already. Everything works with my mapped locations like it should, except for that Browse For Folder dialog.


    Edit:

    I changed my Desktop location to default and/or one of the local drives, physically installed in my machine and Browse For Folder dialog works fine...

    &quot;Browse For Folder&quot; during various software installation doesn't work.-browsererror.jpg
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #8

    The WinRAR destination folder does not have a colon next to the drive letter F:
      My Computer


 

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