How do I enable “Open in Explorer”?

Question

I have full control over my SharePoint site. When I click on my document library and then click the "Library" tab on the ribbon, I see an option for "Open with Explorer" but it is disabled.

The message is vague and unhelpful:

You might not have the right permissions level to use this, you might need to select an object or item, or the control might not work in this context.

I want to be able to move documents from one folder in the library to another. This seems like an extremely minimal use-case for a document library, no? Yet it's seemingly impossible to do in the web UI.

UPDATE: I installed IE9 and enabled the WebClient service in services.msc and the Open with Explorer option is still disabled.

Answer 1

Solved. I was using 64-bit Internet Explorer. Switching to 32-bit IE caused the featured to become enabled. There was absolutely no indication in the application that this could possible be the cause. It was a shot in the dark.

Mind: blown.

The Plan Browser Support article on TechNet lists the supported browsers and limitations in "non- or partially supported browsers".

It states the following among the limitations for 64bit IE 7, 8 and 9:

Explorer view

Removed in SharePoint Foundation 2010. Libraries that have been upgraded from earlier versions of SharePoint Foundation 2010 may still have Explorer views and these may not work.

Answer 2

Before trying it in IE could you please make sure that following service is started, by going:

Click Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services

Open the Properties of the WebClient Service

choose as start type: automatic

start the service

Answer 3

Also for me restarting the WebClient service (even though it was running already) fixed it

Answer 4

you need to use a 32-bit browser

Answer 5

restarting the WebClient service (even though it was running already) fixed this for me

Answer 6

Are you using a version of Internet Explorer? That option would be grayed out with Firefox, Chrome, etc. – mcnarya Jan 19 '12 at 21:28

I had the same problem and this suggestion from mcnarya worked for me! I was trying to open it in Chrome - it works if I open it in IE! May be worth a try.

Answer 7

Changing to the 32bit version of IE resolved the problem for me. Somehow the IE shortcut in the taskbar had been set to launch IE 64bit and I guess this feature is not compatible with the 64bit version of IE. I changed it back to the normal 32bit version and it started working again.

Answer 8

You have to be using Internet Explorer. That option is not available in other browsers. Are you running IE and it's not enabled? If so, what version.

Answer 9

I've had this problem recently with IE 11 x64, I did the following:

1. Click the settings cog
2. Click "Compatibility View Settings"
3. Tick the radio button for "Display intranet sites in Compatibility View"

This then made the "Open with Windows Explorer" option available again in the "Actions" menu.

Answer 10

Open with Explorer became enabled when I switched from IE 8 64 bit to IE 8 32 bit.

Answer 11

Make sure "Enable Client Integration" is enabled on the web application authentication provider else Explorer View won't be enabled. This is a requirement.

Answer 12

Like many of the previous answerers, I have found that using IE 32 bit (any version) to solve this problem. Many of my users all run on different versions of IE or use chrome or firefox (gasp!). Solving this frustrating error always involves either changing the browser or hunting down the 32 bit version or in one instance, adding our sharepoint to trusted sites. Good luck!

Answer 13

Please check this link on how to enable Open With Windows, Upload Multiple Documents options - http://www.indrasani.com/options-greyed-out-in-sharepoint-document-library/

Answer 14

Try this available Microsoft Hotfix.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2846960