setting a filetype

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setting a filetype

by idgraham Sep 16, 2011 9:11PM PDT

Do other people find that sometimes the whole system or process of telling Windows to use a specific application to open a specific filetype just seems to freeze or lock ?

e.g.I've just updated an application I use constantly, and removed the older version, and the files no longer seem to be knowing 'whose they are'.
So I've been through the familiar process from Control Panel,/Folder options etc, but even though I browse to the exec file and select it, when I get back to the box with the 'always use this application' checkbox, the selection has not taken effect. The name is not even in the list.
I've rerun the installation process for the application, and rebooted, with no effect.

Any thoughts, anyone ?

Ian G
Wales

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setting a filetype, cont

by idgraham Sep 18, 2011 9:35PM PDT

Thanks for your comments, Mark.

I was not really seeking a work-around - as between double-clicking a file to open the application, and opening the application to open a file, there's not really much to choose in real terms.

After my enquiry post:

I ran my
usual registry cleaner, and indeed a whole number of 'problems' were
highlighted involving the application concerned in various ways. I allowed the
cleaner to 'fix' these items, ran it a second time and found one more and fixed
that.
I then tried double-clicking on a file of the relevant type, and got an
error message that Windows didn't know what application to use, and so was taken
though the standard process (with which, as I implied, I am entirely familiar),
and this time the process 'worked' beyond the selection of the *.exe file, the
name of the application appearing in the 'use this application' window.

I note your 'flaky' comment. I was just curious what triggers this sort of thing - I had a definite daysha vu (site won't accept proper spelling with accents!) ie I've
been here before (with various applications) more than once.

Ian G.

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(NT) So your issue is fully solved now?

by Kees_B Forum moderator Sep 18, 2011 9:43PM PDT

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Ouch! Registry Cleaner.

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Sep 18, 2011 9:45PM PDT

It seems from your post that this is now resolved and if so that is great.

But I do see a clue in your post; Registry Cleaner. We don't use those and don't recommend them in these forums because we see the damage they can cause either immediately, or 'over time'. Even the most benign cleaners like CCleaner, recommended often by us for getting rid of unwanted temporary files, but we rarely suggest using the registry clean option that one has.

One other thing. You mentioned about the workarounds not being needed, but it is a strange fact that Windows has numerous ways to do the same thing and often trying something different can solve an issue.

You're right, the forum software is sadly lacking in sophisticated word input, but would "Deja Vu" work?

Mark

Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

MarkFlax · Accepted Answer · Sep 16, 2011 10:36PM PDT

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Yes it has always been a bit flaky.

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Sep 16, 2011 10:36PM PDT

The problem is competing software wanting to open the same file types, and add to that we are always installing/uninstalling software, sometimes Windows appears to just 'give up the ghost'.

Options?

1] Open the application you are talking about, go to File > Open and navigate to one of these files of this file type and open it.

2] Instead of trying Folder Options, find a file of this file type, right click and select Open With, and select the application that way.

Do either of those work?

Also the application itself may have options to "Associate this application with these file types", but I can't say since you don't mention what app this is.

Mark

setting a filetype

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