i've just realised that when i open explorer and right click on my drives, the options popup starts with search, then open, explore etc... so when i double click the icons it brings up search instead of opening it

how do i set the sequence?

by the way, its windows xp

Go to Start/Run and type in:

regsvr32 /i shell32

Click OK.

Restart your computer.

thanks jef... can you tell me why did the change happen in the first place?

The right click menu (shell) is often added to and or edited by new software (both legitimate and malicious).

All I can suggest is you installed something or something installed itself.

It is a widely published question and solution so the behavior is not uncommon.

ShellExView is a good little shell manager.

oh ok! thanks jephree your a genius...