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
    2015-01-27T12:20:55+00:00

    I've tried all of these methods, and none work for me. I have trouble finding any program in Programs (x86) folders, including Quickpar and Calibre. As for Amazon's Kindle, this is a nightmare.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-03T08:12:18+00:00

    Not worked for SketchUp Viewer 2015 (no such issue when using SketchUp 2014) ...

    Correction: It worked (SketchUp Viewers's executable is named "Viewer.exe" and not as I expected "SketchUpViewer.exe" ....)

    What will happen if a second app is named "Viewer.exe" .................?

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-19T17:20:39+00:00

    Use this option to choose which programs you want Windows to use, by default. 

    If a program does not show up in the list, you can make the program a default by using Set Associations.

        1.  Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs.

        2.  Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.

        3.  Click the file type or protocol that you want the program to act as the default for.

        4.  Click Change program.

        5.  Click the program that you want to use as the default for the file type you selected, or click the arrow next to

             Other   Programs to show additional programs. (If you don't see Other Programs, or your program

         is not listed,

             click Browse to find the program you want to use, and then click Open

        6.  Click OK

           For more details follow the link below:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default 

     Try creating a new user account and check whether you have the same issue.

    To create a user account

    1.    To open User Accounts, click the Start button, click Control Panel, click User Accounts and Family Safety, and then click User Accounts.

    2.    Click Manage another account. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    3.    Click Create a new account.

    4.    Type the name you want to give the user account, click an account type, and then click Create Account.

    For more information follow the link below:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows7/Create-a-user-account

    If it works in the new user account, then the user account may be corrupted.

    To fix the corrupted user profile you may refer the link below:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

    Hope this information is helpful.

     

    Suresh G

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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

    This whole method is what is not functioning properly, and is only one possible solution to the problem.

    I had the same issue as OP, and followed the method suggested by Xandragnis.

    In regedit: Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applicationsand find your .exe name.

    Navigate under its name to shell>open>command. In the Defaultchange its location to the actual location of the executable, hit okayand then try and reassociate the file type as you normally would.

    For me, I had uninstalled the 32-bit version of MS Office 2013 and installed the 64-bit version. I was trying to associate .xml files with Microsoft Excel to open by default. Even when I browsed to the correct location and selected the correct excel.exe, the default program selector would not recognize my choice. Apparently due to the fact that the registry did not recognize the change in file location from "Program File (x86)" to "Program Files"

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-11-22T21:16:34+00:00

    Thank you, this has been an issue for a long time.  The problem is solved thanks to you.

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