Folders won't open when I double-click on the icon.

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Level 1

16 points

Folders won't open when I double-click on the icon.

This problem just developed last night. I usually open desktop or any folders by double-clicking the icon. That no longer works and the only way I can open any folder is by going to Finder>File>Open. That is a tedious process if I want to read a document in a folder because I have a desktop folder that has folders within folders.
I have the same problem with a file or document on my desktop. Double-clicking does not open it and I have to go to Finder>File>open. I have to do the same thing when I finally get to a file in a folder.
I haven't changed any settings. I did get the iTunes software update yesterday. I have spent hours in Mac help and Apple Discussions trying to resolve this problem.
Can anyone suggest what might be happening?

12"PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 14, 2007 3:49 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jcyoung Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 15, 2007 4:10 PM in response to Michael Conniff

Changing the mouse settings solved the problem. I had forgotten that I had changed the mouse settings when I was using my Apple wireless Mighty Mouse becauuse it tracks very slowly. I put them back to slower tracking and double-clicking and the folders now open with double click.

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Answer 2

Jul 15, 2007 3:25 PM in response to jcyoung

JC

Maybe an obvious question, but still worth asking: have you tried altering the settings in System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Mouse?

Since 10.4.10, I have had to adjust these settings, since often a single click translates to a double click (opposite of your problem, I know).

That is a tedious process if I want to read a document in a folder because I have a desktop folder that has folders within folders.

Have you tried using Column View? It might make things a bit easier while you resolve the problem.

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Answer 3

Jul 15, 2007 4:14 PM in response to jcyoung

JC

I had forgotten that I had …

If I had a pound for every time I've had to say that … 🙂

Glad it's fixed!

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Answer 4

Jul 15, 2007 3:05 AM in response to jcyoung

"Repair Disk Permissions" from Disk Utility may help you.
Otherwise you may need to delete the following Finder preference file from your home directory:
- ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

Mihalis.

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Answer 5

Jul 15, 2007 1:36 PM in response to jcyoung

JC,

The fact that neither folders nor files will open with double-click makes me wonder if the problem is in your mouse (software). Does your double-click work in a text document or on a web page when selecting a word? I know this is a longshot but worth checking. Do you have third party mouse software?

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Answer 6

Aug 25, 2007 6:23 PM in response to jcyoung

hey Sara!
Did you ever figure out why some folders were doing this? I just killed my brand new iMac by putting one of those folders that won't open from my G4 into my documents folder on my iMac thinking that would help. Now I can't even open my documents folder!!!

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