Cannot Access “Folder Options” in Windows

The NoFolderOptions registry setting hides the Folder Options applet from the Control Panel and the Folder Options command under the Tools menu in Explorer. In Windows 10, this policy disables all the Folder Options entry points—e.g., “Change folder and search options” will be grayed out in the File menu in Explorer.

In earlier versions of Windows, if you enable this policy setting, users will receive an error message if they tap or click the Options button or choose the Change folder and search options command, and they will not be able to open Folder Options.

If your system is not part of any network and this restriction was enabled without your knowledge, it could be caused by Malware. Some malware enables the NoFolderOptions Policy in the registry hides file extensions for known file types. To get the option back, use one of these methods:

Resolution

Launch regedit.exe and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

-and-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Delete the NoFolderOptions value (if found) from the above locations.

Exit the Registry Editor.

The above registry edit corresponds to the following Group Policy setting “Do not allow Folder Options to be opened” in the following branch:

User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → File Explorer

In Windows 7, this policy is named “Removes the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu” and is located under:

User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Explorer.