Open folders in Windows Explorer mode by default (i.e. with folder pane enabled)
When you double-click a folder, it opens the folder Window without the Explorer bar enabled (default setting). When you right-click on the folder and choose Explore, it does. To set Explore as the default action, follow these steps:
Open My Computer window.
Click Tools, Folder Options, then click File Types.
From the list, locate the entry FOLDER with extension of (NONE).
Click Advanced, select Explore, then Set Default
Click OK and close the dialog.