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
    2015-04-21T03:23:53+00:00

    Hello!

    I am having a problem with my computer.

    My computer Is: Windows 7 - 64 Bit - Office 2010.

    The problem is when I tried to convert a "Word File" to PDF, all the rest of the "Word Files" also automatically converted into "PDF". When I tried to open the file PDF (Adobe Reader Xi) says it cannot read the file. Response to rest of the auto-converted "PDF" (word files) was same.

    I right click the file and opened the file in word. When I save the same file to Word Doc. the file again turns to "PDF"

    Then I opened a new "Word Doc." and saved it as "Word File" the result is the same, it automatically converted to "PDF"

    When I right click the desktop to create a Word File. on the drop-down window to my surprise I found the "PDF" logo instead of "Microsoft Word  Document" logo. The "Word" logo has been replaced with "PDF" logo.

    This is the reason all my "Word Files" has been auto - converted to "PDF"

    Due to this I cannot open a new word file, save or send by mail. This has made a big problem.

    Herewith I am attaching a screen shot of the problem.

    Please help me to sort out this problem.

    Your help is most appreciated.

    Thank You!

    Best Wishes!

    Henry

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-04-21T11:32:05+00:00

    Henry,

    You need to drop a word document on your desktop.  Hold down shift and right click on the word document.  (Let go of shift) click on "open with" in the drop down menu and go to "browser" and find word.  You may have to find the office directory and click on word.exe. (if it is not already listed)

    Once you open the .docx file with word.exe, it should change all of default program back to a Word.exe.

    Here is what the screen looks like after you click on "Open with"  Make sure you have Word.EXE highlighted and a check in the box on the bottom left that says "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" 

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-19T20:34:05+00:00

    Xandragnis  helped us as well; the path to the application was not registered correctly for some reason.   Wonder if there is a way to check all the app paths in Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications rather than manually? Also running x64.  Thanks Xandragnis! Peace.

    Actually this most often happens when you have an earlier version of the program and you upgrade.  Like from Photoshop 7 to Photoshop CS3.  The uninstaller does not remove the registry keys like it should.

    -D-

    This did it, ran registery cleaner and it is all good now.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-05-20T12:23:39+00:00

    This is crazy old and you will never see this... But been looking around and this was the best answer of them, easy description which made me able to understand, and it worked!

    Cheers!

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