Problems with "File Association" in Windows 7 64-bit

Anonymous
2009-11-04T02:38:45+00:00

Although I am able to go through the "regular" process to associate a program with an extension it doesn't work.  After going through the browse process and selecting the program it brings me back to the "open with" window.  The program I've selected does not appear in the "open with" window and it appears that it is simply ignoring me.

I've also tried the "Default Programs" route but wind up at the same "open with" window that still ignores me.

Suggestions?


[EDIT]

  1. I've realized that this is probably not the proper forum for this question so feel free to ignore!
  2. I've also realized that this may be an issue with associating extensions with non-64-bit programs and appears to be a non-issue if trying to associate with a 64-bit program... go figure.
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2009-11-22T16:57:44+00:00

After playing around a lil I think I've figured it out.. [for me at least..]

The program that you're pointing to isn't registered correctly.

In regedit: Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applicationsand find your .exe name.

Navigate under its name to shell>open>command. In the Default change its location to the actual location of the executable, hit okay and then try and reassociate the file type as you normally would.

Let me know if that doesn't seem to work.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-01-16T03:49:51+00:00

    btw - far from saying this is a fix - microsoft need to fix it! This is a big, major, unfixable by your average user - problem! Most people wouldn't know what to do, let alone try! Is not funny! Most punters I know would b totally phased by this and want to steer well away from their computer!

    Dave.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-01-16T03:42:56+00:00

    I found simplest answer with all this is find the executable, create shortcut, dump the shortcut in a desktop folder and click from there. That works for things like MSFS-X and Far-cry2 etc. Don't c why associations seem so messed up in 7/64 but they are, and this is my own fix. I've got sites with .reg stuff 2 fix this kind of thing in XP but 7/64 has been nightmare! I'm sure I'm not alone (obviously). Got totally fed up with the 'this program does not have a program associated with it for performing this action' as there really is NOTHING apart from regedit or shortcut. Hope this helps. My POV was just get things working.

    Shortcuts do seem to bypass symantical troubles (so far) although not ideal.

    Kindest, Dave.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-01-08T03:34:16+00:00

    I had followed Xandragnis suggestion and change to the file path in RegEdit in Windows7, by going to Applications > <program name> > shell > edit > command and {open command} neither worked and I successfully changed it to the correct file path !

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-01-07T21:07:34+00:00

    Thanks a lot. This worked.

    I guess when we upgraded from Office 2007 to Office 2010, the path to Excel was not updated.

    Alberto

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