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
    2010-07-22T20:28:26+00:00

    I have done something to the file association for '.bat' files. I am used to being able to 'right-click' on the bat file and select either 'Open' or 'Edit'. Now, the 'Edit' option is not listed and the 'Open' option results in no action. I can change the association to Notepad or Wordpad or any other .exe I can browse to but I don't know what to use to cause the bat file to 'execute'.  If I check the association with 'assoc .bat', it returns '.bat=batfile'

    If I 'run' the bat file from a command window, everything works as it should.

    Here is a registry entry for 'batfile' that shows both Open and Edit as choices I would expect to see with a right-click. This key looks just like the key on a WinXP system.  Any help/pointers would be apprecaited.

    Key Name:          HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\batfile\shell

    Class Name:        <NO CLASS>

    Last Write Time:   7/14/2009 - 12:53 AM

    Key Name:          HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\batfile\shell\edit

    Class Name:        <NO CLASS>

    Last Write Time:   7/14/2009 - 12:53 AM

    Key Name:          HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\batfile\shell\edit\command

    Class Name:        <NO CLASS>

    Last Write Time:   7/14/2009 - 12:53 AM

    Value 0

      Name:            <NO NAME>

      Type:            REG_EXPAND_SZ

      Data:            %SystemRoot%\System32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

    Key Name:          HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\batfile\shell\open

    Class Name:        <NO CLASS>

    Last Write Time:   7/14/2009 - 12:53 AM

    Value 0

      Name:            EditFlags

      Type:            REG_BINARY

      Data:           

    00000000   00 00 00 00                                        ....

    Key Name:          HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\batfile\shell\open\command

    Class Name:        <NO CLASS>

    Last Write Time:   7/14/2009 - 12:53 AM

    Value 0

      Name:            <NO NAME>

      Type:            REG_SZ

      Data:            "%1" %*

    Key Name:          HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\batfile\shell\print

    Class Name:        <NO CLASS>

    Last Write Time:   7/14/2009 - 12:53 AM

    Key Name:          HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\batfile\shell\print\command

    Class Name:        <NO CLASS>

    Last Write Time:   7/14/2009 - 12:53 AM

    Value 0

      Name:            <NO NAME>

      Type:            REG_EXPAND_SZ

      Data:            %SystemRoot%\System32\NOTEPAD.EXE /p %1

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-07-14T23:51:04+00:00

    Xandragnis et al,

    I think your answer is the closest solution to my problem, but I am afraid to edit the wrong registry file...

    I am no longer able to double click on my Windows 7 default file folders to expand them, either on the desktop or "my computer",  and I have not been able to figure out the extension? Although the first line sayscmd? To open my file folders I have to right-click, then press open, and voilá.... Yet, when I attach a file to an e-mail, for example, I double click and zip right through them!

    Any help will be greatly appreciated...

    Thanks a bunch,

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-07-13T21:52:25+00:00

    Patricia,

    Since your issue is slightly different from the original poster, I would recommend posting a new thread of your own in thePerformance and Maintenance Forum


    Lisa

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-07-10T05:22:01+00:00

    Suresh,

    I am having a similar problem in changing a file association, changing the default program for .dst files.  I tried the easy way, by right-clicking on the file, going to Properties then changing the file extension.  I get a "Windows Explorer have stopped working" error.  I followed your instructions, and I get the same Windows Explorer error.  Here are the details of the error:

    Problem Event Name: APPCRASH

    Application Name: explorer.exe

    Application Version: 6.1.7600.16450

    Application Timestamp: 4aebab8d

    Fault Module Name: ntdll.dll

    Fault Module Version: 6.1.7600.16559

    Fault Module Timestamp: 4ba9b802

    Exception Code: c000041d

    Exception Offset: 000000000000be59

    OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.48

    Locale ID: 1033

    Additional Information 1: 8762

    Additional Information 2: 87626d9db46f3434c4cb892e4775c00b

    Additional Information 3: 4f27

    Additional Information 4: 4f27e166fe35272654252cb934bb93d4

    Can you assist me in getting this fixed?

    Patricia S.

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