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
    2011-04-05T06:15:10+00:00

    I had a similar problem. I wanted .xls files to open in MS Excel 2003 but could not get it to appear in the Open With window even after selecting browse and selecting the 2003 version of excel.exe. When I returned to the Open With window only excel 2007 would be available.

    I fixed the problem by changing the extension on an excel file to one which did not exist/was not registered e.g. .xlrs.

    I then used the Open With window and navigated to the 2003 excel.exe and selected it with the always open with box ticked.

    Then when I selected another .xls file and Open With, both versions of excel (2003 & 2007) were available and I could select the 2003 version and set it as the default program for .xls. I then changed the file with the .xlrs extension back to .xls and everything now works as I wanted it.

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