XP will not associate file types with correct programs

[tom2u]

I right click, Properties and try to set the default program for that file type.
Once I'm in the program I set it to open certain file types by default.
Yet still I click on that file and the wrong program opens it.
I've tried Folder Options to no avail.
Is there any way of getting XP to conform to my meager wishes?

Is this a problem with Win7 I wonder?
I should mention I installed the program that I want to be default in a non-standard area of the hard drive. Not in C:\Program Files. Yet other programs are running fine in their non-standard locations. And its not just one program. I had the problem before. Of course I can open the program first then open the file with the Control_O command.

 

[Emerald]

have you tried right clicking the file you want to open and then choose Open With -> Choose Program

it should allow you to select the program you want to use to open this file type

make sure "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" is checked

 

[tom2u]

Oh yeah. Several times....