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
    2010-09-27T08:56:06+00:00

    Thanks a lot!  I had problems with pdfs and portable Foxitreader and with a few changes in the registry as you explained... Voila! my pdfs are now correctly associated with foxitreader. All along I thought that being "not installed" (portable) made it fail the association. BTW, I am using Win7 Ultimate 64. Cheers!

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-09-28T18:00:31+00:00

    Excellent and it worked first time on Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit version.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-01T15:11:39+00:00

    I'm sorry for the confusion.. Let me attempt to clarify.

    Once you've gotten to "Applications" the .exe name is what you're looking for. So if you're having issues with .doc files, I'll assume you're having trouble with Microsoft Office /Microsoft Word more specifically. In this case if itis Microsoft Word, the .exe name iswinword.exe. So navigate there under applications and you should seewinword.exe then shellthen openthen **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.

    Hopefully this clears it up for you.. :)

    -Xandragnis

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-10-10T18:55:15+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 theDefaultchange its location to the actual location of the executable, hitokayand then try and reassociate the file type as you normally would.

    Let me know if that doesn't seem to work.

    This worked for me as well.  In my case the missing application was Excel and it was a simple matter of changing "Office11" to "Office14" in the path.

    thanks for the answer.

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