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
    2014-07-02T03:55:01+00:00

    AMAZING! I spent so much time trying to fix this problem with one of the programs I was using and tried a bunch of different things to no avail. THIS WAS THE ANSWER! Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-03T05:37:08+00:00

    I have tried this and it works for me. The issue arises when you upgrade Ms Project from 2003 to 2010 I believe. The default was still pointing to the previous install which is incorrect.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-13T19:48:02+00:00

    When I try to change the default program associated with a file extension I get the message Windows shell common dll has stopped working.  I have checked the path using regedit of the current program and the new program I want to associate and they are both correct.  Any other suggestions?

    Thanks for any help!

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-19T09:44:14+00:00

    A variation of your solution worked for me.

    In my case the problematic application was Illustrator and in my case simply deleting Illustrator.exe in Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applicationsdid the trick.

    Background: the path in Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Illustrator.exepointed to an the CS5 version whereas it should point to the CC version. That seems to break the Open with dialog.

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