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
    2011-12-16T21:21:29+00:00

    I am trying to use a portable app so it is not in the registry and I don't want it there. Another instance of big brother MS taking care of us. I hate to tell them but I already have a mother. I don't need them playing that role. 

    I started out feeling that way too about trying to create associations for my portable apps... until I realized that didn't make sense anyway, if the apps are truly to be used as portables.

    However, for portable apps and for standalone (not installed) programs, try eXpresso, which creates temporary file association overrides. Stable version 1.3.1 is available here: http://portableapps.com/node/27101

    It works fine for me on my Win7-64 computer. I run it from my portable drive but it can be placed on the hard drive and run at startup. You'll only need to set up associations for those specific apps you want to use... and when you're done, it leaves nothing changed on the computer.

    This way you can avoid trying to edit the registry, which is not something I'd recommend for most people anyway, just to associate a standalone program.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-12-10T15:15:03+00:00

    What the issue seems to be is that the application registers at the first level of folders under "Program Files". If your .exe is any further down removed from your PATH, then the registry entry ignores what's in between.

    Workaround is to either modify the registry key, as mentionned 14123 times previously, or modify the location of your file.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-05T23:55:33+00:00

    Hello koreanbeast,

     Thank you for the response.  Because of the age of this thread, I would suggest reposting this as a new question at the link provided below.  Please include any troubleshooting you have already attempted and any error messages you might be getting.

    Microsoft Answers:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-12-03T17:45:36+00:00

    Has anyone really figured out this? I have no idea why this thread starts talk about window XP.

    This is Window 7 people. All the exe file doesn't work. I have to run as admin every file just like that old annoying windows vista! nothing here works so far and shell>open>command. what the heck is this part?

     **Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applicationsthere are many other exe files here. So how do I fix it from here and do I have to do this one file by one? Please e-mail me if you have the solution. ****@hotmail.com Thank you,

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