Windows 7 Explorer left or right hand pane menu scrolling focus only works after clicking an item

Question

The new windows 7 explorer will not allow mouse wheel scroll function over left or right panes until you have actually selected an item on the left or right hand pane for the first time. This is even when the Windows Explorer window has the focus. This is a deviation from Windows XP mouse wheel scroll function where it would immediately allow scrolling when hovering over the left or right panes when the window is in focus

Ultimately this adds another click to every time you open windows explorer and is annoying

Answer 1

So this same issue was getting the better of me and I found this... http://antibody-software.com/web/software/software/wizmouse-makes-your-mouse-wheel-work-on-the-window-under-the-mouse/  

Initial testing suggests it does exactly what we're chasing here (i.e. scroll by cursor location rather than selection location).

Interested to know how others find it.

Answer 2

Hi

There is a solution for all of us who don't have administration rights on there computer:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/flashwheel/?source=typ\_redirect

works perfectly and does exact what I was looking for! :)

Answer 3

Agreed. Please fix this

Answer 4

Swati.. I am sure you have tried scrolling in Windows explorer... if you scroll the right pane, the left folder pane cant be scrolled without first clicking on it. Then if you want to scroll the right again, you have to click the right pane. This really gets irritating very very soon.

And a bad response... the link you pasted does not work.

Answer 5

Hi,

You will not be able to scroll on a Window unless that Window is selected or highlighted. This feature is by design in windows 7.

If you have any suggestions or feedback for Windows 7, you may report it here:

Give Us Feedback for Windows 7

**http://mymfe.microsoft.com/Windows%20%207/Feedback.aspx?formID=195&UrlReferrer**=

Thanks and Regards:

Swati K- Microsoft Support Engineer