Empty Favorites Panel

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ann W. Craven
  • Start date Start date
A

Ann W. Craven

In the process of clicking around to update the Word normal.dot template, I
seem to have accidentally changed an obscure (to me) setting. Suddenly, the
Internet Explorer 6.0 Favorites panel displayed on the left side of the IE
screen is completely empty. I tried deactivating it and reactivating it via
View-Explorer Bar-Favorites. I tried closing and reopening IE. I tried
restarting the computer. Still nothing in the Favorites panel.

I tried to recreate one of the (now invisible) folders I sort Favorites
into, but the system will not allow it because it says a folder by that name
already exists. I checked, and there is indeed data in the Favorites folder
under Documents and Settings. So I exported and re-imported the Favorites.
Still nothing in the panel. Upon further checking, I see that if I click the
Add... button, all the invisible favorites are on the list (but not in the
panel itself), but if I click the Organize... button, none are shown.

I have not installed any new software recently, and everything was fine
until I started searching for normal.dot. No doubt it's some simple little
thing, but I have no clue where to look.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what settings to check.

Thank you.

Ann
 
You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites


The above should be a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, not REG_SZ


Ref: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#favorites
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

....Alan
 
Alan, I am having the same exact problem. All my registry setting are
correct, except possibly the "value". Are you talking about the Default, the
first one on the list under name with the type of REG_SZ? Under Data, it
says (value not set). If I double click on it, I can change the Value Data.
Is this what I want to change to REG_EXPAND_SZ? Thanks.

Alan Edwards said:
You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites


The above should be a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, not REG_SZ


Ref: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#favorites
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In the process of clicking around to update the Word normal.dot template, I
seem to have accidentally changed an obscure (to me) setting. Suddenly, the
Internet Explorer 6.0 Favorites panel displayed on the left side of the IE
screen is completely empty. I tried deactivating it and reactivating it via
View-Explorer Bar-Favorites. I tried closing and reopening IE. I tried
restarting the computer. Still nothing in the Favorites panel.

I tried to recreate one of the (now invisible) folders I sort Favorites
into, but the system will not allow it because it says a folder by that name
already exists. I checked, and there is indeed data in the Favorites folder
under Documents and Settings. So I exported and re-imported the Favorites.
Still nothing in the panel. Upon further checking, I see that if I click the
Add... button, all the invisible favorites are on the list (but not in the
panel itself), but if I click the Organize... button, none are shown.

I have not installed any new software recently, and everything was fine
until I started searching for normal.dot. No doubt it's some simple little
thing, but I have no clue where to look.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what settings to check.

Thank you.

Ann
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
A few months ago I had to repair this problem on a co-workers' computer. It
was infected with this virus:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.tofger.html
I'm sorry, the above link doesn't contain the instructions for repairing the
favorites problem, I swear Symantec changed the document.

Review the
%USERPROFILE% values VERY CAREFULLY. I thought they were all fine, but the
virus had changed them to
%USERSPROFILE% you see the difference is almost undetectable with the
addition of the S in between USERS and PROFILE

Well that worked for me, good luck and hope this helps.



Tom said:
Alan, I am having the same exact problem. All my registry setting are
correct, except possibly the "value". Are you talking about the Default,
the
first one on the list under name with the type of REG_SZ? Under Data, it
says (value not set). If I double click on it, I can change the Value
Data.
Is this what I want to change to REG_EXPAND_SZ? Thanks.

Alan Edwards said:
You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites


The above should be a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, not REG_SZ


Ref: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#favorites
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In the process of clicking around to update the Word normal.dot
template, I
seem to have accidentally changed an obscure (to me) setting. Suddenly,
the
Internet Explorer 6.0 Favorites panel displayed on the left side of the
IE
screen is completely empty. I tried deactivating it and reactivating it
via
View-Explorer Bar-Favorites. I tried closing and reopening IE. I tried
restarting the computer. Still nothing in the Favorites panel.

I tried to recreate one of the (now invisible) folders I sort Favorites
into, but the system will not allow it because it says a folder by that
name
already exists. I checked, and there is indeed data in the Favorites
folder
under Documents and Settings. So I exported and re-imported the
Favorites.
Still nothing in the panel. Upon further checking, I see that if I click
the
Add... button, all the invisible favorites are on the list (but not in
the
panel itself), but if I click the Organize... button, none are shown.

I have not installed any new software recently, and everything was fine
until I started searching for normal.dot. No doubt it's some simple
little
thing, but I have no clue where to look.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what settings to check.

Thank you.

Ann
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No. I am talking about the value of Favorites not Default.
"Favorites" is about 6 or 8 down in my two keys.

The Favorites value in Shell Folders should be C:\Documents and
Settings\<my name>\Favorites and is REG_SZ

The Favorites value in User Shell Folders should be
%USERPROFILE%\Favorites and is REG_EXPAND_SZ

The Favorites folder itself (as seen in Windows Explorer) should have
Read-Only but NOT Hidden attributes if you right-click it and select
Properties.

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

Alan, I am having the same exact problem. All my registry setting are
correct, except possibly the "value". Are you talking about the Default, the
first one on the list under name with the type of REG_SZ? Under Data, it
says (value not set). If I double click on it, I can change the Value Data.
Is this what I want to change to REG_EXPAND_SZ? Thanks.

Alan Edwards said:
You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites


The above should be a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, not REG_SZ


Ref: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#favorites
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In the process of clicking around to update the Word normal.dot template, I
seem to have accidentally changed an obscure (to me) setting. Suddenly, the
Internet Explorer 6.0 Favorites panel displayed on the left side of the IE
screen is completely empty. I tried deactivating it and reactivating it via
View-Explorer Bar-Favorites. I tried closing and reopening IE. I tried
restarting the computer. Still nothing in the Favorites panel.

I tried to recreate one of the (now invisible) folders I sort Favorites
into, but the system will not allow it because it says a folder by that name
already exists. I checked, and there is indeed data in the Favorites folder
under Documents and Settings. So I exported and re-imported the Favorites.
Still nothing in the panel. Upon further checking, I see that if I click the
Add... button, all the invisible favorites are on the list (but not in the
panel itself), but if I click the Organize... button, none are shown.

I have not installed any new software recently, and everything was fine
until I started searching for normal.dot. No doubt it's some simple little
thing, but I have no clue where to look.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what settings to check.

Thank you.

Ann
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Alan, I apologize for my last post, I was looking at the wrong thing. I have
checked and everything is correct. I have updated anti-virus and that has
scanned without finding anything. I have updated spyware scanners that have
also found nothing. I can't imagine what is preventing me from adding
favorites back into the folder. Do you haver any other ideas that may work?

Fiveohones, Thank you for the information, but that is all correct also.

Alan Edwards said:
No. I am talking about the value of Favorites not Default.
"Favorites" is about 6 or 8 down in my two keys.

The Favorites value in Shell Folders should be C:\Documents and
Settings\<my name>\Favorites and is REG_SZ

The Favorites value in User Shell Folders should be
%USERPROFILE%\Favorites and is REG_EXPAND_SZ

The Favorites folder itself (as seen in Windows Explorer) should have
Read-Only but NOT Hidden attributes if you right-click it and select
Properties.

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

Alan, I am having the same exact problem. All my registry setting are
correct, except possibly the "value". Are you talking about the Default, the
first one on the list under name with the type of REG_SZ? Under Data, it
says (value not set). If I double click on it, I can change the Value Data.
Is this what I want to change to REG_EXPAND_SZ? Thanks.

Alan Edwards said:
You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites


The above should be a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, not REG_SZ


Ref: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#favorites
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 19:02:18 GMT, "Ann W. Craven"

In the process of clicking around to update the Word normal.dot template, I
seem to have accidentally changed an obscure (to me) setting. Suddenly, the
Internet Explorer 6.0 Favorites panel displayed on the left side of the IE
screen is completely empty. I tried deactivating it and reactivating it via
View-Explorer Bar-Favorites. I tried closing and reopening IE. I tried
restarting the computer. Still nothing in the Favorites panel.

I tried to recreate one of the (now invisible) folders I sort Favorites
into, but the system will not allow it because it says a folder by that name
already exists. I checked, and there is indeed data in the Favorites folder
under Documents and Settings. So I exported and re-imported the Favorites.
Still nothing in the panel. Upon further checking, I see that if I click the
Add... button, all the invisible favorites are on the list (but not in the
panel itself), but if I click the Organize... button, none are shown.

I have not installed any new software recently, and everything was fine
until I started searching for normal.dot. No doubt it's some simple little
thing, but I have no clue where to look.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what settings to check.

Thank you.

Ann
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Did you check the Hidden attributes?
Ann has just replied and confirmed that was the final fix for her
problem.

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

Alan, I apologize for my last post, I was looking at the wrong thing. I have
checked and everything is correct. I have updated anti-virus and that has
scanned without finding anything. I have updated spyware scanners that have
also found nothing. I can't imagine what is preventing me from adding
favorites back into the folder. Do you haver any other ideas that may work?

Fiveohones, Thank you for the information, but that is all correct also.

Alan Edwards said:
No. I am talking about the value of Favorites not Default.
"Favorites" is about 6 or 8 down in my two keys.

The Favorites value in Shell Folders should be C:\Documents and
Settings\<my name>\Favorites and is REG_SZ

The Favorites value in User Shell Folders should be
%USERPROFILE%\Favorites and is REG_EXPAND_SZ

The Favorites folder itself (as seen in Windows Explorer) should have
Read-Only but NOT Hidden attributes if you right-click it and select
Properties.

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

Alan, I am having the same exact problem. All my registry setting are
correct, except possibly the "value". Are you talking about the Default, the
first one on the list under name with the type of REG_SZ? Under Data, it
says (value not set). If I double click on it, I can change the Value Data.
Is this what I want to change to REG_EXPAND_SZ? Thanks.

:

You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites


The above should be a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, not REG_SZ


Ref: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#favorites
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 19:02:18 GMT, "Ann W. Craven"

In the process of clicking around to update the Word normal.dot template, I
seem to have accidentally changed an obscure (to me) setting. Suddenly, the
Internet Explorer 6.0 Favorites panel displayed on the left side of the IE
screen is completely empty. I tried deactivating it and reactivating it via
View-Explorer Bar-Favorites. I tried closing and reopening IE. I tried
restarting the computer. Still nothing in the Favorites panel.

I tried to recreate one of the (now invisible) folders I sort Favorites
into, but the system will not allow it because it says a folder by that name
already exists. I checked, and there is indeed data in the Favorites folder
under Documents and Settings. So I exported and re-imported the Favorites.
Still nothing in the panel. Upon further checking, I see that if I click the
Add... button, all the invisible favorites are on the list (but not in the
panel itself), but if I click the Organize... button, none are shown.

I have not installed any new software recently, and everything was fine
until I started searching for normal.dot. No doubt it's some simple little
thing, but I have no clue where to look.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what settings to check.

Thank you.

Ann
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No problem with the hidden attributes......

Alan Edwards said:
Did you check the Hidden attributes?
Ann has just replied and confirmed that was the final fix for her
problem.

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

Alan, I apologize for my last post, I was looking at the wrong thing. I have
checked and everything is correct. I have updated anti-virus and that has
scanned without finding anything. I have updated spyware scanners that have
also found nothing. I can't imagine what is preventing me from adding
favorites back into the folder. Do you haver any other ideas that may work?

Fiveohones, Thank you for the information, but that is all correct also.

Alan Edwards said:
No. I am talking about the value of Favorites not Default.
"Favorites" is about 6 or 8 down in my two keys.

The Favorites value in Shell Folders should be C:\Documents and
Settings\<my name>\Favorites and is REG_SZ

The Favorites value in User Shell Folders should be
%USERPROFILE%\Favorites and is REG_EXPAND_SZ

The Favorites folder itself (as seen in Windows Explorer) should have
Read-Only but NOT Hidden attributes if you right-click it and select
Properties.

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 05:45:03 -0700, Tom

Alan, I am having the same exact problem. All my registry setting are
correct, except possibly the "value". Are you talking about the Default, the
first one on the list under name with the type of REG_SZ? Under Data, it
says (value not set). If I double click on it, I can change the Value Data.
Is this what I want to change to REG_EXPAND_SZ? Thanks.

:

You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites


The above should be a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, not REG_SZ


Ref: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#favorites
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.html

On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 19:02:18 GMT, "Ann W. Craven"

In the process of clicking around to update the Word normal.dot template, I
seem to have accidentally changed an obscure (to me) setting. Suddenly, the
Internet Explorer 6.0 Favorites panel displayed on the left side of the IE
screen is completely empty. I tried deactivating it and reactivating it via
View-Explorer Bar-Favorites. I tried closing and reopening IE. I tried
restarting the computer. Still nothing in the Favorites panel.

I tried to recreate one of the (now invisible) folders I sort Favorites
into, but the system will not allow it because it says a folder by that name
already exists. I checked, and there is indeed data in the Favorites folder
under Documents and Settings. So I exported and re-imported the Favorites.
Still nothing in the panel. Upon further checking, I see that if I click the
Add... button, all the invisible favorites are on the list (but not in the
panel itself), but if I click the Organize... button, none are shown.

I have not installed any new software recently, and everything was fine
until I started searching for normal.dot. No doubt it's some simple little
thing, but I have no clue where to look.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what settings to check.

Thank you.

Ann
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Did you check the Hidden attributes?
Ann has just replied and confirmed that was the final fix for her
problem.

...Alan
Click to expand...

Alan

How do you check hidden attributes?

I'm on ie6 xpsp2
and also run avant (ie derived) and firefox

recently I updated the ff to c 1.07
my bookmarks in ff have remained unchanged, but in ff there is only a
very small amount of favourites

Fortunately I had a backup
imported it into ie and all's ok

except when I reboot, I'm back to almost no favorites in ie!
I've checked the reg settings as you say, and all seems to be ok
any idea what is happening and how to stop it?
 
You go to the Favorites folder in Windows Explorer.
Favorites location in Windows XP if installed on C:
C:\Documents and Settings\logon_name\Favorites

Right-click it and select Properties.
Ensure that Hidden is unchecked.

....Alan
 
You go to the Favorites folder in Windows Explorer.
Favorites location in Windows XP if installed on C:
C:\Documents and Settings\logon_name\Favorites

Right-click it and select Properties.
Ensure that Hidden is unchecked.

...Alan
Click to expand...

Thanks Alan

hidden is unchecked
read only was ticked, so i un ticked it
 
David M Wicker said:
Alan

the system has automatically 're-ticked' it
what should I do to solve this problem?
any ideas welcome
Click to expand...

In WinXP folders are always marked Read Only. Ignore that.

Alan was saying that the files within the folder should not be Read Only.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
 
Alan

the system has automatically 're-ticked' it
what should I do to solve this problem?
any ideas welcome
Click to expand...

Re-ticked what?
If you mean Read-only then that is OK.

You said in an earlier post that the Registry settings were OK.
Can you export the two keys and supply the relevant part of the
export?

....Alan
 
Re-ticked what?
If you mean Read-only then that is OK.

You said in an earlier post that the Registry settings were OK.
Can you export the two keys and supply the relevant part of the
export?

...Alan
Click to expand...

read only is ticked
running xpsp1 and ie6xpsp2
from your earlier post you said there was only 1 key for xp

"For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites "

I've exported the file to your email address
many thanks
 
Re-ticked what?
If you mean Read-only then that is OK.

You said in an earlier post that the Registry settings were OK.
Can you export the two keys and supply the relevant part of the
export?

...Alan
Click to expand...

read only is ticked
running xpsp1 and ie6xpsp2
from your earlier post you said there was only 1 key for xp

"For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites "

I've exported the file to your email address
many thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, the export is correct but I didn't mean there was only one key
for XP.
XP still has the Shell Folders key like other operating systems.
What does that have in it?
(Don't worry about an export, just give the data for Favorites)

Just in case, you should also check for any equivalent keys in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. It is unlikely you will have Favorites in the
Shell Folders or User Shell Folders but it is worth checking.

....Alan
 
see below

Re-ticked what?
If you mean Read-only then that is OK.

You said in an earlier post that the Registry settings were OK.
Can you export the two keys and supply the relevant part of the
export?

...Alan
Click to expand...

read only is ticked
running xpsp1 and ie6xpsp2
from your earlier post you said there was only 1 key for xp

"For Windows 2000/XP:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
Set the Favorites path to : %USERPROFILE%\Favorites "

I've exported the file to your email address
many thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, the export is correct but I didn't mean there was only one key
for XP.
XP still has the Shell Folders key like other operating systems.
What does that have in it?
Click to expand...

Reg_SZ c:\Documents and Settings\DavidW\Favorites
(Don't worry about an export, just give the data for Favorites)

Just in case, you should also check for any equivalent keys in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. It is unlikely you will have Favorites in the
Shell Folders or User Shell Folders but it is worth checking.
Click to expand...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders Common Favorites REG_EXPAND_SZ
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Favorites

and
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders REG_SZ c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\ Favorites

David
 
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