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
    2010-05-11T01:40:57+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.

    What of programs such as the one I was discussing that do not have an installer nor need to be in the registry at all?

    You should be able to associate a file type with _any_ executable. But alas, you cannot. Are we going to make it official that stand alone executables that reside completely in their own directory are no longer supported under Windows 7?

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-10T21:33:23+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?

    RamblinFever - make sure you've expanded the "Applications" part within regedit. Under this section should be every application that is registered with the operating system. It will list them in the left pane under Applications.

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  3. 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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  4. 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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