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
    2012-11-13T02:43:18+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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-05T01:41:18+00:00

    Hi Daniel,

    Thank you so much for posting this fix.  I had the same problem and this fix workded like a charm.  I didn't know why that feature disappeared until Scurvy posted his problem and you responded.  I had installed AVG PC Cleanup and it does a registry clean.  I had, in the past, used the WinZin registry cleaner and it messed up my computer so badly, I had to take it to computer person to fix.  But.......my computer gets so slow and buggy the more I use the Web.  With WinZip, my computer ran slower and slower until it wouldn't boot up anymore.  With PC Tuneup, my computer is amazing faster and running much better, but obviously is not problem free either.  Thanks a bunch, Milo

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-17T17:24:16+00:00

    What a great fix. Thanks so much for making it easy for a dummy like me!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-10-12T19:57:37+00:00

    Fantastic! Worked like a charm.

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