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
    2014-11-19T05:13:03+00:00

    Glad to hear it worked Joe. CCleaner has worked well for me when I have errant registry entries. Reinstalling a program with a cleaned registry most times fixes the issue

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-11-19T05:01:29+00:00

    Ray that worked first time with the purchase of a copy of CCLEANER.  Thanks

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-11-19T02:03:51+00:00

    try uninstalling the program, then clean the registry with ccleaner and reinstalling. It sounds like something did not go right with the initial installation. Make sure you run the program by right-clicking and "Run as Administrator" 

    this may still not completely associate the files but it should create the registry entry for you to edit. I have found that the 64-bit version of Windows does not play well with 32-bit installation files.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-11-18T18:13:59+00:00

    I don't have an entry "Applications" in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.  Then Photoshop.exe does not appear in the list.  

    I have tried looking for the program: however there are many programs that start Photoshop with a number of plausible names for Photoshop.exe  

    Perhaps not surprisingly, I can't see how to implement the next part of your solution - there is nothing that looks like shell>open>command

    So I am stuck

    Any thoughts?

    Thanks

    Joe

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