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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

300+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

249 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2012-04-28T03:05:54+00:00

    After several hours playing with this, this was also my solution, was to just rename the Photoshop file which is an application file and add the .exe   Once i changed the name from Photoshop to Photoshop.exe  it saw the program and associated my .psd files just fine.

    The problem is that in the registry under the fileext .psd it shows Photoshop.exe.exe  as the open with var value.  But it does work and i guess that is ok.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-04-20T10:51:30+00:00

    Thanks a lot. 

    That solved my problem on Windows7, 32 bit.

    Cheers,

    Prakash

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2012-04-08T23:13:08+00:00

    Hi this Liana Lulua I wanna too go back too Window7 Starter.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-15T18:53:44+00:00

    Actually this answer is not the one that we were looking for in this thread, this answer is the standard one that normally is tried first, I am an IT professional and the answer below was not working I had to delve into the registry to fix my problem.

    Actually this answer looks like a canned answer, the ones we get when we call support, I almost always have this problem, the help professionals FAIL to READ the thread and knee the answer out.... 

    Well, Suresh G, you failed this test.....

    Hi Jennifer Anns Group

     

    Welcome to Windows 7 Forums

    I require additional information in order to assist you better. 

    What is the file extension you are trying to associate? 

    A default program is the program that Windows uses when you open a particular type of file, such as a music file, an image, or a webpage. For example, if you have more than one web browser installed on your computer, you can choose one of them to be the default browser. 

    Use this option to choose which programs you want Windows to use, by default. 

    If a program does not show up in the list, you can make the program a default by using Set Associations.

        1.  Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs.

        2.  Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.

        3.  Click the file type or protocol that you want the program to act as the default for.

        4.  Click Change program.

        5.  Click the program that you want to use as the default for the file type you selected, or click the arrow next to

             Other   Programs to show additional programs. (If you don't see Other Programs, or your program

         is not listed,

             click Browse to find the program you want to use, and then click Open

        6.  Click OK

           For more details follow the link below:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default 

     Try creating a new user account and check whether you have the same issue.

    To create a user account

    1.    To open User Accounts, click the Start button, click Control Panel, click User Accounts and Family Safety, and then click User Accounts.

    2.    Click Manage another account. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    3.    Click Create a new account.

    4.    Type the name you want to give the user account, click an account type, and then click Create Account.

     

    For more information follow the link below:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows7/Create-a-user-account

     

    If it works in the new user account, then the user account may be corrupted.

     

    To fix the corrupted user profile you may refer the link below:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

    Hope this information is helpful.

     

    Suresh G

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments