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
    2014-08-29T10:09:38+00:00

    Dear Janet,

    you can also try the following:

    http://www.windowsanswers.net/articles/fix-shell32-dll

    Kind regards,

    DAC324

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-27T10:43:08+00:00

    For this error message "Windows shell Common DLL has stopped working", there are a few possible reasons. As you state that it occurs while trying to change an association, I guess that some shell extension or malware is causing your problem.

    At first, run a Command Prompt as an administrator. Open the start menu and enter CMD in the field "Search files or folders". If CMD.EXE is shown as a search result, highlight it by left clicking once and then press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. Confirm the security request.

    A command window opens which runs with administrative rights.

    In this window, enter

    sfc /scannow

    Wait for this command to finish. Note that afterwards, you may have to re-install some Windows updates.

    1. Clean up shell extensions: Uninstall all unnecessary programs using the Programs and Features applet in Control Panel, in particular, toolbars.
    2. There is a tool called ShexView from Nirsoft, which can display and disable shell extensions. Install this tool and disable all shell extensions. Reboot. See if the error is fixed.
    3. If not: Another great tool which can do a lot of repairs in malfunctioning Windows installations is Tweaking.com Windows Repair. There is also a portable version available which does not require installing. Let Windows Repair at least fix the associations in the Repairs screen. Reboot after finishing.
    4. If there are still problems, scan the system for malware and trojans. There are several programs available for that purpose, such as Malwarebytes AntiMalware or ADWCleaner. If any infected objects are found, seriously consider re-installing Windows from scratch (format the system drive first). This is because most modern malware uses several mechanisms to hide in an infected system and to load additional files from its control servers. Thus, you cannot trust a system any more once it was infected by malware or a trojan.
    5. Some people have reported that "Windows shell Common DLL has stopped working" might be a driver issue. It could be caused by either a faulty audio driver or a corrupted system sound. To remedy this, you can try switching the Windows Audio Scheme to "No Sounds" and see if the error persists. If the error is gone, one of the sound files the explorer uses may be corrupt.
    6. Try updating the driver for your sound card to the latest version available.

    Hope this helps.

    Kind regards,

    DAC324

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-25T15:20:53+00:00

    Tried this, no help.

    Every time I try to change an association I get the message "Window shell Common DLL has stopped working" and explorer shuts down.

    Thanks,

    Janet

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-10T04:40:47+00:00

    Awesome !!!!!!! those steps below made it work!

    thank you so much

    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.

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