New tab button not working for Windows Explorer

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Recently, there is no similar report, mentioned here. Need to know more information.

When you said "Add Tab button not working for Windows Explorer":

Happen all the time?
What is the error pop up then you press the "+" button?
Is the problem occur on other application like notepad, word, excel etc?
Have you tried uninstall and reinstall steps?

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Basj,

1. Yes, happens all the time.

2. No error message. Nothing happens and no errors in windows logs.

3. Does not occur with other apps. They all work as intended.

4. Yes, several times.

Below are my settings.

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Please try purge and reinstall steps as mentioned here: https://forums.stardock.com/488142/groupy-support-faq#reinstalling Just make sure to download the latest version from your account (Groupy v1.41). Reboot after the purged. Reinstall, and Reboot again after the installation. Retest it. Report back here.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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It's still not working.

I followed the steps in the link provided.

Rebooted and re-installed Groupy version 1.41.

All other applications that have the add tab button work perfectly. It's just the Windows Explorer that I'm having an issue with.

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If you press Ctrl+N does that create a new explorer window?

Also what language is your OS set to and what AV app / security apps might you be using?

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Ctrl+N does create a new explorer window and it does group with the other Explorer window as it should. The add tab button just doesn't do anything.

Language is US English and I just have Windows Defender as my AV. No other security apps.

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Please try the following:

-For Win8/10 Users: Open the Start Screen, and type 'cmd'. Right-click on the search result and select 'Run as administrator' from below.

-Type: sfc /scannow

-Wait for the scan to complete (this can take several minutes)

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929833/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system

If the SFC finds errors, but cannot fix them, please also run the following command in the same command prompt window:

dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Some help on how this looks should you need it:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

The above command should assist with replacing any damaged or problematic system files. Please note, however, since it may require restoring certain files, this process can take some time and you will need to be patient until it has completed.

Please let me know whether this resolves your problem or if you have any additional questions.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Quoting darthmarcus,

reply 6

Ctrl+N does create a new explorer window and it does group with the other Explorer window as it should. The add tab button just doesn't do anything.

Language is US English and I just have Windows Defender as my AV. No other security apps.

Is this on a laptop or a desktop?

The new tab button simulates ctrl + N so it is curious it isn't working.

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This is on a desktop. Dell T3610.

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I hope you already done the scan I suggested on reply#7? If so, and its all good but still have issue please try the cleanboot and see if there is conflicting program. https://forums.stardock.com/488142/groupy-support-faq#cleanboot

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Hi Basj,

I'm having the same problem.（New tab button not working for Windows Explorer, it works on other software like WPS Office.）

I have done those solutions what you mentioned, but SFC didn't find any error and the fix is the same.
And, the same problem with Cleanboot.

Could you please guide more solution to fix it, thanks!

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Quoting lanadel20,

reply 11

Hi Basj,

I'm having the same problem.（New tab button not working for Windows Explorer, it works on other software like WPS Office.）

I have done those solutions what you mentioned, but SFC didn't find any error and the fix is the same.
And, the same problem with Cleanboot.

Could you please guide more solution to fix it, thanks!

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Do you have Groupy V1 or Groupy V2? This thread was back in 2020. Which mean, this thread was for Groupy V1. If you on Groupy V2, please start a new thread and give us more details on your system. Please refer here: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1387954187/Contacting+Stardock+About+Groupy+Issues

Thank you.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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I use Groupy1 too.

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Your system details please. Refer to that link I post above.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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What happens if you press ctrl + n manually?

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I am not sure if this is related or may help, but this has been an issue I have faced for years now.

The file explorer will not open a new tab while having the preview pane open and when certain file types are using the preview pane (.doc, .jpg, .png, etc.)

If I deselect the file to remove the preview, then I can create a new explorer tab.

I can also create a new tab with ctrl+n

This has been an issue with every version of Groupy I have used (currently v2.12). I also have Groupy on several computers and use Win10 and Win11 Pro, some old, some new, and this has occurred on every single version.

Hopefully, one day the bug will be fixed, but deselecting the file in the currently open window may bypass the new tab prevention.

Although, with file explorer tabs now being a native feature in Win11 this may be a moot point. (I still use Groupy for everything else and prefer it over Win11 tabs.)

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Quoting SShishi,

reply 16

I am not sure if this is related or may help, but this has been an issue I have faced for years now.

The file explorer will not open a new tab while having the preview pane open and when certain file types are using the preview pane (.doc, .jpg, .png, etc.)

If I deselect the file to remove the preview, then I can create a new explorer tab.

I can also create a new tab with ctrl+n

This has been an issue with every version of Groupy I have used (currently v2.12). I also have Groupy on several computers and use Win10 and Win11 Pro, some old, some new, and this has occurred on every single version.

Hopefully, one day the bug will be fixed, but deselecting the file in the currently open window may bypass the new tab prevention.

Although, with file explorer tabs now being a native feature in Win11 this may be a moot point. (I still use Groupy for everything else and prefer it over Win11 tabs.)

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Wow! Thank you so much! Been having this issue forever; can't believe it's still not fixed (Groupy 2.15). I clicked in a blank space in the file list to remove the current preview, clicked the "+" icon and it worked! Can reproduce it easily. Getting the issue with PDF preview mostly. Thanks again!

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Quoting pfrech,

reply 18

Wow! Thank you so much! Been having this issue forever; can't believe it's still not fixed (Groupy 2.15). I clicked in a blank space in the file list to remove the current preview, clicked the "+" icon and it worked! Can reproduce it easily. Getting the issue with PDF preview mostly. Thanks again!

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, I am on Groupy v2.15 and I no longer see the issue. Refer short video below.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Quoting basj,

reply 19

Quoting pfrech,

reply 18

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, I am on Groupy v2.15 and I no longer see the issue. Refer short video below.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Typical "works on my machine". 😉 Here's my test (short video below). JPG file only one working. When docx, xlsx, pdf or txt being previewed, new Tab will not work. 😔 I also tried several other types (ini, xml, json) and it seems like any file type which is previewable (except JPG) will not work.

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Quoting pfrech,

reply 20

Typical "works on my machine". 😉 Here's my test (short video below). JPG file only one working. When docx, xlsx, pdf or txt being previewed, new Tab will not work. 😔 I also tried several other types (ini, xml, json) and it seems like any file type which is previewable (except JPG) will not work.

Well you did not mentioned that it only happen when specific types of files selected for preview. However, I checked on my system and .txt, png, pdf, docx, xlsx and few more, all are working.

Would like to suggest for you to, first, please try uninstalled Groupy 2, reboot immediately, redownload latest Groupy 2 version. Install it, reboot again as soon as installation done, retest and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Quoting basj,

reply 21

Quoting pfrech,

reply 20

Typical "works on my machine". 😉 Here's my test (short video below). JPG file only one working. When docx, xlsx, pdf or txt being previewed, new Tab will not work. 😔 I also tried several other types (ini, xml, json) and it seems like any file type which is previewable (except JPG) will not work.

Well you did not mentioned that it only happen when specific types of files selected for preview. However, I checked on my system and .txt, png, pdf, docx, xlsx and few more, all are working.

Would like to suggest for you to, first, please try uninstalled Groupy 2, reboot immediately, redownload latest Groupy 2 version. Install it, reboot again as soon as installation done, retest and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Hi Basj and thank you! I uninstalled/rebooted/reinstalled/rebooted, but unfortunately same behavior. 😔

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Quoting pfrech,

reply 22

Hi Basj and thank you! I uninstalled/rebooted/reinstalled/rebooted, but unfortunately same behavior. 😔

If possible, please test the issue on Windows Sandbox: https://forums.stardock.com/488142/groupy-support-faq#Sandbox.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Quoting basj,

reply 23

Quoting pfrech,

reply 22

Hi Basj and thank you! I uninstalled/rebooted/reinstalled/rebooted, but unfortunately same behavior. 😔

If possible, please test the issue on Windows Sandbox: https://forums.stardock.com/488142/groupy-support-faq#Sandbox.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Hi Basj!

It works in the Sandbox. I've tried installing Office 365 and Adobe Cloud to try reproducing better, but I can't install those in the sanbox. I might have to create my own VM in HyperV to reproduce. For now I'm reverting to changing the file focus to make the preview disappear and clicking the 'new tab' button.

Thank you,

P.

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