Fix: Cannot select multiple files in Explorer in Windows 7/Vista

Sometimes in Windows Explorer, users may not be able to select more than one file or folder. Using the Select All option,  SHIFT + Click or CTRL + Click key combos to select multiple files or folders, may not work. Here is how to fix the single select problem in Windows Explorer.

Registry Fix

Resetting the saved folder views will resolve the problem. Download resetfolderviews.reg and save to Desktop. Close all Explorer windows. Right-click on the REG file and choose Merge. Click Yes when prompted for confirmation.

Manual Registry Editing

Alternately, you can also open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) directly and delete the Bags value manually. To do so, use these steps:

1. Close all folder windows.

2. Click Start, type Regedit.exe and press ENTER

3. Navigate to the following branch:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Classes \ Local Settings \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Shell \ Bags]

4. Select the Bags key and choose Delete.

Similarly, delete these keys:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU]

5. Exit the Registry Editor

If the above does not fix the problem right away, you need to terminate and restart explorer.exe process, or logoff and login back.