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
    2014-09-30T19:44:34+00:00

    I have been looking (off/on) for a solution to this issue for months! (I even asked our IT department without any luck. They had no idea why I couldn't associate a file type with a program or what I could do to fix it.) This worked perfectly! Thank for such simple and detailed instructions. Yay! You have made me one HAPPY woman! ^_^ In fact, I've printed your instructions and placed them where I can find them when needed in the future.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-21T13:36:46+00:00

    it doesn't work. i cant find the powerpoint exe usind win 7 pro 64-bit ms office pro plus 2010

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-08T10:45:12+00:00

    GOOD WORK IT Worked

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-03T03:39:42+00:00

    I have the same problem as the original poster. That is, this is a generic problem with all and any applications that I install, not a problem specific to one individual application that might be an upgrade to an older one, which is the problem most of the people posting here have had.

    This is a brand-new out-of-the-box Windows 7 x64 installation, Only one user, and has administrator rights. All other administrator-type things seem to work (uac, gpedit, change computer name etc).

    So if I get a new application like 7-Zip and install it, the filetypes are not associated with it.

    If I create a new account of type administrator and try it there, I get the same problem.

    The reason I quote 7-Zip as an example (it happens with other applications too, like LibreOffice) is because 7-Zip is available as a 64-bit Windows program, and so my problem is slightly different from the OP's (see her point (2)).

    Other things don't work, too. Dropbox can't change the file icon types or set the context menus. (I guess other programs can't change context menus either, I haven't checked yet).

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