Right click 'Open With' Command missing. Help Please.

Anonymous
2009-09-21T20:08:24+00:00

I realised a few days ago that the right click context menu 'open with' command is missing. However its there at the top of the window on the 'menu bar' or whatever.

Not sure how it happened. Maybe when i installed MS .Net Framework 3 SP1 or maybe when I cleaned registry with CCleaner.

I need to get it back please. Could u tell me how??? thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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
2009-09-22T12:20:29+00:00

Hi, scurvy:

By design, the Open With menu option is not available when you right-click executable files (.cmd, .bat, .pif, .scf, .exe, .com, or .scr), or shortcuts to executable files.

If you've lost the Open With menu option for ALL file types, including non-executable files, follow this steps:

  1. Click Start, All Programs, Accesories, Notepad.
  2. Copy and paste this text:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]

@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

  1. Click File, Save As, name the file "OpenWith.reg" (WITH THE QUOTATION MARKS) and click OK.
  2. Now double-click OpenWith.reg, click Continue, Yes, OK, and see if the problem is solved.

P.S: My personal advice is not to use ANY registry cleaner on the system.

Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

100 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-09T19:37:18+00:00

    That did work! thank you :) right click and opens with fixed :)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-03-05T05:06:09+00:00

    Hi, scurvy:

    By design, the Open With menu option is not available when you right-click executable files (.cmd, .bat, .pif, .scf, .exe, .com, or .scr), or shortcuts to executable files.

    If you've lost the Open With menu option for ALL file types, including non-executable files, follow this steps:

    1. Click Start, All Programs, Accesories, Notepad.
    2. Copy and paste this text:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]

    @="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

    1. Click File, Save As, name the file "OpenWith.reg" (WITH THE QUOTATION MARKS) and click OK.
    2. Now double-click OpenWith.reg, click Continue, Yes, OK, and see if the problem is solved.

    P.S: My personal advice is not to use ANY registry cleaner on the system.

    Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience

    Your a genius

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-05T05:03:50+00:00

    It worked thank you, except there is no OK, just save. Then you have to find where you put it and double click and follow the instructions and bingo. It worked. In the meantime I couldn't even find the programs I wanted to use, it was like they were erased until I got that feature back and boom there they all were. Thanks again.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-02-12T17:26:12+00:00

    Hi, scurvy:

    By design, the Open With menu option is not available when you right-click executable files (.cmd, .bat, .pif, .scf, .exe, .com, or .scr), or shortcuts to executable files.

    If you've lost the Open With menu option for ALL file types, including non-executable files, follow this steps:

    1. Click Start, All Programs, Accesories, Notepad.
    2. Copy and paste this text:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]

    @="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

    1. Click File, Save As, name the file "OpenWith.reg" (WITH THE QUOTATION MARKS) and click OK.
    2. Now double-click OpenWith.reg, click Continue, Yes, OK, and see if the problem is solved.

    P.S: My personal advice is not to use ANY registry cleaner on the system.

    Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience

    Hi, I successfully installed the registry modification above, but after boot still do not get "Open With" in the right click menu of, for example, .KAP and .BSB files. I am running Windows 7 32 bit SP1.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments