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
    2010-05-06T17:58:49+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.

    I have the same problem as Todd. I have office 2003 and Windows 7 wants to open my files with Office 2007. When I go to the registry as you described above, I can't find any .exe name, just Microsoft Word Application with no reference to which version. By going to All Programs I can select which version of Word to use and then open my file but if I just double click on a file it opens with Word 2007. How do I find the correct .exe file in the registry?

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-06T17:39:03+00:00

    Thank you for this great service. Your solution fixed the problem, and now I can continue working with my computer instead of working on it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-04-25T18:16:35+00:00

    Thank you so much Xandragnis. I must have spent at least 5 hours today tying to figure it out with so many different methods but your solution fixed the file association problem completely. Now my Microsoft Word 2010 works perfect on Windows 7. Thanks.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-04-23T22:22:02+00:00

    So what is the option when none of these 'fixes' works.

    I have a file type that is associated to a bat file. This type can be associated to 2 different bat files depending on four different versions of an assocaited graphic program I need to run. Since I have installed multiple versions, the association REMAINS associated to the last installed one and does not change regardless of how many times I try to change it.

    The Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applicationsis correct. There are actually 2 listed, one per version (older versions associate to one BAT and newer ones associate toanother). Going through File Association list and selecting the correct one for the current use case I am working it ALWAYS reverts to the earlier version, and in fact the wrong bat file.

    Windows7 needs to be updated to allow the following in File Association;

    1. MB3 (Mouse Button 3) on the association so you can determine the file location

          - This is lost functionality from WXP as far as I am concerned and makes my job harder as there is no indication how this type is associated and where is it is associated to

    1. In the File Association dialog Allow an MB3 --> Properties operation so you manually edit the association

          - This again is LOST functionality from WXP.

                  - I have to traverse a directory structure location to associate the necessary file.

                  - I may need to do this 20 times a day during normal operations. This is a TREMENDOUS impedence on operations

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