Solved Windows explorer changes to homegroup view automatically

My Windows explorer keeps resetting itself to the homegroup view while I am working ... and then I have to navigate back to the folder I was working in. Here is a detailed explanation:

1. I open Windows explorer and navigate to a directory (e.g., /Documents/client/project)
2. In that view, I have several files. I double-click on a MS Word document to open it.
3. After the file opens, Windows explorer resets to the Homegroup view (showing just the libraries)

This drives me crazy since I often review 10-20 documents in a single folder (they are 1 page documents) and I have to either navigate back to the folder or use the "back arrow" to return to the last view.

Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong? Is there some strange setting that I need to change. I've never seen this behavior before. Thank you in advance for your help. I am using Window 8.1 with current updates/patches.

There is nothing called Home Group view. Windows Explorer always opens up at the top level, which is the Libraries. Libraries are nothing more than short cuts to the related folders.

To change that behavior, you have to right click on the Folder icon on the desktop taskbar, then click on properties and change the target. Set the Windows Explorer Startup Folder in Windows 7

Broe23,

Sorry for using the wrong nomenclature. When Windows Explorer opens at the top level it is at the Libraries (Actually this is true for Windows 7, but not Windows 8.1. I am using Windows 8.1). Then I browse to a subfolder (e.g., Documents/client/project) and start working with the files (opening, copying, etc.), but as soon as I perform an action, the Windows Explorer reverts back to the Libraries view and I lose my view into the subfolder.

So my question isn't about the startup "look" of Windows Explorer. I'm trying to understand why Windows Explorer changes folders after I interact with a file within a folder. And this occurs with all folders, not just a few specific ones. Thank you for the link, but it is for the wrong version of Windows (you added a link for V7, I am using V8.1 as I noted in my original post).

Windows 8 Windows Explorer still works the same way as it did with prior Windows versions. With the addition of Libraries in 7, you can make the change to open up in any particular folder, by following the info I linked.

It opens that way, because of the Properties setting. Also the link does not matter if it is 7 or 8. It still works for Windows 8.

I think we are missing the main point. My question is not how to set the initial folder view when opening Windows Explorer.

After I browse to a folder and then interact with files in that folder, the Windows Explorer instance that I was using changes to the "startup" view automatically. Is there a fix for that behavior?

I have missed no point. I have given you the proper information on how to change that behavior from the Desktop mode. If all you are going to do is argue back and forth. Then you are on your own to use a search engine to find your answer.

broe23, I appreciate your help, and I'm sorry that I have done a poor job communicating my problem. Let me try again to explain the behavior that I am seeing on the screen. I hope that I can do a better job this time.

1. Open a windows explorer window. It should open to the default location for your computer (let's assume it is the Libraries).
2. Now, navigate to a directory (e.g. Documents/clientname/project).
3. Inside that directory, there is a file called document.docx. Double-click on that file to open it.
4. What do you see? 2 windows. The first window will be MS Word with document.docx opened. The second window will be Windows Explorer showing the folder Documents/clientname/project.

That is the expected behavior.

When I perform steps 1-3, this is what I see ... The first window will be MS Word with document.docx opened. The second window is Windows Explorer showing the Libraries.

That is the unexpected behavior that I am trying to troubleshoot. The Windows Explorer window changes to the default directory after I open a file, or if I leave the Explorer window open for 5-10 minutes while working on another window/program.

Does that explanation help you visualize my problem better? I didn't find anything in the link you provided that described the behavior I am seeing. I only read how to change the default starting location for a new Windows Explorer window. I'm trying to understand why an Explorer window that is currently open and in use will automatically revert to the default location, and how I can stop that from happening.

I have been doing this stuff for over 36 years. I gave you the link, I also stated that you are welcome to do a search for anything that you believe is different from the link I posted.

You are going to have to do your own homework at this point. You are not going to get me to do it for you, nor do I have access to your computer to show you how to change the Windows Explorer properties in the Desktop.

Have a good night, and go do your homework in the search engines.

If others have relevant input that addresses the bug that I am seeing, I would appreciate your help.

Again, this is not a settings problem where something changes when I close/re-open Windows Explorer. The problem occurs while the Window is open ... The view moves from the current folder to another folder, almost like it "forgets" where it is and resets itself while still open on the screen.

Thank you David Bailey ... that solved the issue!

broe23, you are a jerk. nteuscher was being incredibly respectful, and it was not his/her fault you didn't understand the problem. Then, when you couldn't accept that you didn't understand what he/she was saying, you say to do research online? That's exactly what he was doing! This is a forum for people to help others.

On a side note, I tried David Bailey's solution and it did not work for me, unfortunately, although I am on Windows 10, so it might operate differently now.