"open with" file associations

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

/Michael Arends/ said:
> For some reason now, whenever I try to RIGHT click on ANY of my file
> types, and do a OPEN WITH, I come up with the following message,
>
> "This file doesn't have a program associated with it, for performing
> this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel".
>
>
> Except that when I go there, there IS a program associated with the
> particular file type.
>
> Example: .jpg files, I have Microsoft photo editor, Paint Shop Pro 7,
> and Picassa, installed. I used to be able to RIGHT click on a .jpg file,
> and then go to "open with" and it would give me a list of installed
> programs to choose from. NOW I get the above error.
>
> Now, I DO use a registry cleaner, could I have damaged something? and
> how do I get it back?

Does it have an UNDO function? Try that.

Also see http://dougknox.com XP-FIXES for "restore default file
associations easily" link (on the right).

--
For most XP answers and tweaks...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://dougknox.com http://aumha.org
http://support.microsoft.com

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

Ramesh, MS-MVP answered:
> Michael,
>
> Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
>
> Navigate to these locations:
>
> HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell\openas]
@="Open with..."


> HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\Shell

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown]
"AlwaysShowExt"=""
"QueryClassStore"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell]
@="Notepad"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\Notepad]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\Notepad\Command]
@="notepad.exe %1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\

00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,72,00,75,00,\

6e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,20,00,25,00,53,\

00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,\

79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,\

00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,41,00,\
73,00,5f,00,52,00,75,00,6e,00,44,00,4c,00,4c,00,20,00,25,00,31,00,00,00


>
> Export the keys and post the contents here.
>
There ya go Ramesh.. I will be greatful for any help.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

Smiling Wickedly, dev answered:
> /Michael Arends/ said:
>
>>For some reason now, whenever I try to RIGHT click on ANY of my file
>>types, and do a OPEN WITH, I come up with the following message,
>>
>>"This file doesn't have a program associated with it, for performing
>>this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel".
>>
>>
>>Except that when I go there, there IS a program associated with the
>>particular file type.
>>
>>Example: .jpg files, I have Microsoft photo editor, Paint Shop Pro 7,
>>and Picassa, installed. I used to be able to RIGHT click on a .jpg file,
>>and then go to "open with" and it would give me a list of installed
>>programs to choose from. NOW I get the above error.
>>
>>Now, I DO use a registry cleaner, could I have damaged something? and
>>how do I get it back?
>
>
> Does it have an UNDO function? Try that.
>
> Also see http://dougknox.com XP-FIXES for "restore default file
> associations easily" link (on the right).
>

You know, I actually tried Rameshes suggestion first. And then as a
redundant system, decided to use YOUR suggestion, and did a 'restore'
using 'registry compressor' (the program I use). It WORKED.

Thanks..

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

You're welcome Michael. Registry compressors / defraggers do nothing to the
data, so it's my suggestion may have done the trick.

--
Ramesh, Windows XP MVP
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


"Michael Arends" <windows_xp_fans@UGLYSPAMearthlink.net> wrote in message
news:erDRwWhkFHA.2156@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Smiling Wickedly, Ramesh, MS-MVP answered:
>> Michael,
>>
>> Backup, and then delete this key:
>>
>> [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell\openas]
>>
> Ramesh,
>
> Thanks, I tried your suggestion, and then I did a restore from the
> program I use to 'defrag' and compress my registry.
>
> ONE of them did the trick. It's working again.
>
> KUDO's to you for your help.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Michael