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
    2011-04-06T07:02:40+00:00

    The tool appeared to work successfully -- I've had very good results from nirsoft previously -- but the previous behavior remains. I'm still asked what to open this type of file with even after specifying the OPEN action in the tool.

    It's ridiculous that Windows should behave this way - asking me what I want to open the file with, letting me make a choice, and then just discarding that choice and reverting to, of all things, Media Center.

    (Parenthetically, is there a way I can at least get Media Center OFF of that list? It can't open anything in question.)

    How could this issue have hung around so long without a solution from Microsoft?

    I appreciate the compilation of links, if only as a litany of the things I've tried to get this elementary problem resolved.  I resisted Win7 and hung on to XP until just a month ago. I'm beginning to regret upgrading.

    I'm still running dual-boot. Maybe I need to go back to XP, as it looks like Microsoft still hasn't worked out the fundamentals yet in Windows 7.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-04-05T20:47:12+00:00

    For those for whom the registry fix didn't help - I suggest you try the 3rd party file association tool below.  No guarantees it will resolve it, but worth a try.  I'd appreciate feedback on the result.

    FileTypesMan

    http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file\_types\_manager.html

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-04-05T17:57:30+00:00

    here is the full list of all the "File association" steps that I've seen proved useful before. There is no need to go beyond the step that solves the problem but all the "your computer" & Microsoft checks are fine to do in any case - they would not do any harm even if there was no fault.

    On your computer

    Control panel, Default programs

    [IE check only] Internet explorer, Tools, Internet options, Programs - set Make default

    Microsoft links [read the descriptions on the linked pages first]

    Fix broken desktop shortcuts and common system maintenance tasks

    Fixit When you run an .exe file on a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based computer, the file may start a different program

    Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically

    and then, if necessary,

    3rd party links [read the descriptions on the linked page first to make sure it matches your symptoms - only go this far if you have to]

    Default File Type Associations - Restore - Windows 7 Forums

    http://www.slipstick.com/problems/link_restrict.htm

    Cannot open Folders or Drives "This file does not have a program associated..."

    File Association Fixes for Windows 7

    Best of luck,

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-04-05T17:19:54+00:00

    Having hacked the registry to create the extension, filetype .fpw was now present in the filetype list in CP-> Default Programs -> Associate a filetype with a Program. So this was a brand-new extension.

    However, when I tried to specify using vfp9.exe to open it, I got the same behavior as from trying to run it in WExplorer -- my selection was ignored and WExplorer went back to trying to open it with MediaCenter.

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