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
    2012-10-12T19:57:37+00:00

    Fantastic! Worked like a charm.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T05:09:45+00:00

    the easiest fix for this problem i have ever seen ..

    <Removed>

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-19T12:05:11+00:00

    My computer just had this happen as well.  The solution worked great- Thanks.

    I think this issue popped up when I installed 7-Zip and/or Notepad++, FYI.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-09-11T21:35:24+00:00

    Thank you Daniel -- worked perfectly!

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