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
    2012-05-25T18:26:35+00:00

    you sir, are a genius! i don't tend to give that away but seldom, in a world of would be mensa members, you do in fact qualify. further you share. how rare.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-13T00:33:10+00:00

    1/12/12  Thanks Daniel.  I should know better and always look here first to take care of the problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-11-05T14:43:54+00:00

    Thank you!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-10-16T18:57:49+00:00

    Thanks for your solution. It worked fine for me on my dutch Windows Vista SP2. I had been looking so long to solve this but when I found this website is was solved thanks to you. Greetings.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments