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

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-12-05T13:27:08+00:00

    I tried this solution, and I got a new button on the toolbar, not in the context menu.

    I would like to right click on the file and have the old "open with" selection.  How do I get this back in Win 7?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-23T19:15:22+00:00

    Once again, when i double clicked the "OpenWith" (#4) and clicked Save, OK, a response received was that it would not accept the OpenWith" as it was not a binary file.  Did anyone get a similar message?

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-18T03:01:24+00:00

    Thanks!  It fixed the problem.  Yes, I did use a registry cleaner.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-14T05:13:41+00:00

    Hello, I tried all the fixes, one by one, but to no avail.  My last message said it would not import the "OpenWith.reg" file.  It said that it would only accept a binary fix.  Can you help me with this?  I'm not a pro but can usually follow good instructions.  Thank you.

    Carol D.

    One more thing, the popup says that this is not a valid registry quote.  I really need this option to make my work easier.  Thank you folks.

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