This is ABSOLUTELY driving me crazy: file type associations/default programs

Hello everyone,

So I had to reformat and reinstall windows vista business x86 becaus
of a corrupt registry and its now a factory fresh install and I spent
days installing and customizing everything again. However, I just ra
into a very annoying problem that I just can't solve and it is drivin
me crazy. The problem is this, my default programs/file typ
associations does NOT work. The problem is multifold.

First, if a file has a strange extension such as .torrent fil
extension, windows does not recognize it, even after I have installe
utorrent and made it my default program to open the files. For som
reason, I have to click yes every single time I open utorrent because
don't think it's writing to the registry.

Second, I can't ADD any programs whatsoever to the default program
list. For example, I use firefox as a browser, but when try to open
.html file (I'm a web developer) it opens it with iexplorer.

So I try to change the file type association multiple ways... first
try going to the "Open with" menu and for some reason firefox (or opera
my secondary browser) isn't listed so I click browse to firefox.exe an
for some reason it won't let me open it with that program. So then I g
into control panel and open the "default programs" and try to change i
through that menu but it won't let me open it with firefox or opera.

So the short list of problems:
1. Unable to change file type associations through various methods
2. When a new program is installed, it is SOMETIMES added to the "othe
programs" list under "open with" menu option. (e.g. adobe photoshop i
added, but opera or firefox or utorrent or many other programs aren'
added, and can't be manually added)

I have never seen this problem with windows in the 10+ years I've use
it. I've installed gladysoft's registry repair to fix it, and no luc
with that whatsoever. Can anyone please help me? This is driving m
neurotic and I really can't afford to waste more work days reformattin
this computer all again and reinstalling every single program i need
Please Help

--
johnation33

I don't have any help to offer with the file association problem, but as far
as the corrupt registry goes, I have a few thoughts.

1. Backup your Vista using the ImageX utility found in free Windows PE (or
purchase something to image your machine). (ImageX is what "installs" or
really copies over Vista btw).

2. I suffered for months with a Windows 2003 server that was corrupting all
sorts of things (including the registry). When I looked through the event
log, I found drive errors on one (or both) of my two RAID disks. Turned out
one of those disks was failing and RAID only mirrored the corrupted file.
Windows was of no help to tell me which of the two disk drives was failing,
so you'll have a 50/50 shot at getting the right one.

3. You can also test your RAM with the free memtest86 utility.

--
Thanks,
Bob

Just checking the obvious... You are logged on as an administrator when you
install these programs and change the associations?

"johnation33" wrote:

>
> Hello everyone,
>
> So I had to reformat and reinstall windows vista business x86 because
> of a corrupt registry and its now a factory fresh install and I spent 2
> days installing and customizing everything again. However, I just ran
> into a very annoying problem that I just can't solve and it is driving
> me crazy. The problem is this, my default programs/file type
> associations does NOT work. The problem is multifold.
>
> First, if a file has a strange extension such as .torrent file
> extension, windows does not recognize it, even after I have installed
> utorrent and made it my default program to open the files. For some
> reason, I have to click yes every single time I open utorrent because I
> don't think it's writing to the registry.
>
> Second, I can't ADD any programs whatsoever to the default programs
> list. For example, I use firefox as a browser, but when try to open a
> .html file (I'm a web developer) it opens it with iexplorer.
>
> So I try to change the file type association multiple ways... first I
> try going to the "Open with" menu and for some reason firefox (or opera,
> my secondary browser) isn't listed so I click browse to firefox.exe and
> for some reason it won't let me open it with that program. So then I go
> into control panel and open the "default programs" and try to change it
> through that menu but it won't let me open it with firefox or opera.
>
> So the short list of problems:
> 1. Unable to change file type associations through various methods
> 2. When a new program is installed, it is SOMETIMES added to the "other
> programs" list under "open with" menu option. (e.g. adobe photoshop is
> added, but opera or firefox or utorrent or many other programs aren't
> added, and can't be manually added)
>
> I have never seen this problem with windows in the 10+ years I've used
> it. I've installed gladysoft's registry repair to fix it, and no luck
> with that whatsoever. Can anyone please help me? This is driving me
> neurotic and I really can't afford to waste more work days reformatting
> this computer all again and reinstalling every single program i need.
> Please Help.
>
>
> --
> johnation33
>

Same here... it one of the most frustrating things microsoft has served
up in years. There is no handy way to handle your file associations in
vista... they just didn't think about it for some reason.

I had to go through three registry writing processes just to get media
player to open flac and ogg files automatically. I still can't get media
player added to the default player list. The default player list offered
me is completely useless... full of things I would never use.

Hint... look, in the registry, for _auto attached to the extension your
trying to change. I found flac_auto something or other and changing that
seemed to work.

John



johnation33 wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> So I had to reformat and reinstall windows vista business x86 because
> of a corrupt registry and its now a factory fresh install and I spent 2
> days installing and customizing everything again. However, I just ran
> into a very annoying problem that I just can't solve and it is driving
> me crazy. The problem is this, my default programs/file type
> associations does NOT work. The problem is multifold.
>
> First, if a file has a strange extension such as .torrent file
> extension, windows does not recognize it, even after I have installed
> utorrent and made it my default program to open the files. For some
> reason, I have to click yes every single time I open utorrent because I
> don't think it's writing to the registry.
>
> Second, I can't ADD any programs whatsoever to the default programs
> list. For example, I use firefox as a browser, but when try to open a
> .html file (I'm a web developer) it opens it with iexplorer.
>
> So I try to change the file type association multiple ways... first I
> try going to the "Open with" menu and for some reason firefox (or opera,
> my secondary browser) isn't listed so I click browse to firefox.exe and
> for some reason it won't let me open it with that program. So then I go
> into control panel and open the "default programs" and try to change it
> through that menu but it won't let me open it with firefox or opera.
>
> So the short list of problems:
> 1. Unable to change file type associations through various methods
> 2. When a new program is installed, it is SOMETIMES added to the "other
> programs" list under "open with" menu option. (e.g. adobe photoshop is
> added, but opera or firefox or utorrent or many other programs aren't
> added, and can't be manually added)
>
> I have never seen this problem with windows in the 10+ years I've used
> it. I've installed gladysoft's registry repair to fix it, and no luck
> with that whatsoever. Can anyone please help me? This is driving me
> neurotic and I really can't afford to waste more work days reformatting
> this computer all again and reinstalling every single program i need.
> Please Help.
>
>

I agree johnation33 - I have the same problem using the "open with" and the
browse in the "open with" menu. In my case it is my Photoshop CS3. What I
finally did was create a shortcut for Photoshop CS3 and put it in my "Send
To". If I have a picture on the desktop, for example, I right click, select
Send To and choose my Photoshop CS3 shortcut.
--
Lynn


"johnation33" wrote:

>
> Hello everyone,
>
> So I had to reformat and reinstall windows vista business x86 because
> of a corrupt registry and its now a factory fresh install and I spent 2
> days installing and customizing everything again. However, I just ran
> into a very annoying problem that I just can't solve and it is driving
> me crazy. The problem is this, my default programs/file type
> associations does NOT work. The problem is multifold.
>
> First, if a file has a strange extension such as .torrent file
> extension, windows does not recognize it, even after I have installed
> utorrent and made it my default program to open the files. For some
> reason, I have to click yes every single time I open utorrent because I
> don't think it's writing to the registry.
>
> Second, I can't ADD any programs whatsoever to the default programs
> list. For example, I use firefox as a browser, but when try to open a
> .html file (I'm a web developer) it opens it with iexplorer.
>
> So I try to change the file type association multiple ways... first I
> try going to the "Open with" menu and for some reason firefox (or opera,
> my secondary browser) isn't listed so I click browse to firefox.exe and
> for some reason it won't let me open it with that program. So then I go
> into control panel and open the "default programs" and try to change it
> through that menu but it won't let me open it with firefox or opera.
>
> So the short list of problems:
> 1. Unable to change file type associations through various methods
> 2. When a new program is installed, it is SOMETIMES added to the "other
> programs" list under "open with" menu option. (e.g. adobe photoshop is
> added, but opera or firefox or utorrent or many other programs aren't
> added, and can't be manually added)
>
> I have never seen this problem with windows in the 10+ years I've used
> it. I've installed gladysoft's registry repair to fix it, and no luck
> with that whatsoever. Can anyone please help me? This is driving me
> neurotic and I really can't afford to waste more work days reformatting
> this computer all again and reinstalling every single program i need.
> Please Help.
>
>
> --
> johnation33
>

Registering programs with the "Open With" dialog:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithadd.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog


"Lynn" <Lynn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:41E109C6-F913-40E9-A03B-208B185D2433@microsoft.com...
I agree johnation33 - I have the same problem using the "open with" and the
browse in the "open with" menu. In my case it is my Photoshop CS3. What I
finally did was create a shortcut for Photoshop CS3 and put it in my "Send
To". If I have a picture on the desktop, for example, I right click, select
Send To and choose my Photoshop CS3 shortcut.
--
Lynn


"johnation33" wrote:

>
> Hello everyone,
>
> So I had to reformat and reinstall windows vista business x86 because
> of a corrupt registry and its now a factory fresh install and I spent 2
> days installing and customizing everything again. However, I just ran
> into a very annoying problem that I just can't solve and it is driving
> me crazy. The problem is this, my default programs/file type
> associations does NOT work. The problem is multifold.
>
> First, if a file has a strange extension such as .torrent file
> extension, windows does not recognize it, even after I have installed
> utorrent and made it my default program to open the files. For some
> reason, I have to click yes every single time I open utorrent because I
> don't think it's writing to the registry.
>
> Second, I can't ADD any programs whatsoever to the default programs
> list. For example, I use firefox as a browser, but when try to open a
> .html file (I'm a web developer) it opens it with iexplorer.
>
> So I try to change the file type association multiple ways... first I
> try going to the "Open with" menu and for some reason firefox (or opera,
> my secondary browser) isn't listed so I click browse to firefox.exe and
> for some reason it won't let me open it with that program. So then I go
> into control panel and open the "default programs" and try to change it
> through that menu but it won't let me open it with firefox or opera.
>
> So the short list of problems:
> 1. Unable to change file type associations through various methods
> 2. When a new program is installed, it is SOMETIMES added to the "other
> programs" list under "open with" menu option. (e.g. adobe photoshop is
> added, but opera or firefox or utorrent or many other programs aren't
> added, and can't be manually added)
>
> I have never seen this problem with windows in the 10+ years I've used
> it. I've installed gladysoft's registry repair to fix it, and no luck
> with that whatsoever. Can anyone please help me? This is driving me
> neurotic and I really can't afford to waste more work days reformatting
> this computer all again and reinstalling every single program i need.
> Please Help.
>
>
> --
> johnation33
>