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
    2010-09-20T00:36:25+00:00

    yes. the registry key was all wrong because i installed software in different folders. that software is slight different but the exe has the same name, so windows file association wouldnt recognize the difference and thus wont display second app entry in the "open with" window. thats a bit glitchy working feature i would say. it should overwrite atleast or create few entries for best experiance.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-09-02T04:10:59+00:00

    Thanks, but what does 'Navigate under its name to **shell>open>command'**mean? I do not see or understand 'shell'. I was able to get to the .exe name folder (in my case .doc), but then you lost me with 'shell...'

    thanks in advance for clarifying

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-08-18T11:48:21+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 solved it for me. Thanks a lot!

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-08-11T03:35:44+00:00

    Thank you.  That worked for me with Word 2007 on Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit.  The question I have is why did the setup put the registry value as:"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE" when the same setup program installed the program in "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE"?  No answer needed...I'm just surprised it hasn't been fixed by MS.

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