Choose Default Program dialog does not show up after choosing Open with entry in context menu

For some time now when I click Open with from Windows Explorer's context menu I'm getting this error

This file does not have a program associated with it to perform this action. Create an association in the Set Associations control panel.

instead of the standard Choose Default Program dialog. I'm getting this error no matter what the extension of the selected file is (as long as there's Open with option for given extension; some extensions do not show this option). How can I fix this?

Piotr Dobrogost

Posted 2009-11-11T21:08:31.887

Reputation: 4 413

Answers

This article didn't tell me exactly how to fix it but it gave me an idea:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/218805

It said to examine the following registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command

And it said to look at the following default value:

C:\%windir%\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1

wernie

Posted 2009-11-11T21:08:31.887

Reputation: 21

This key didn't help me in my case. CCleaner has removed default value from similar key: "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\opendlg\command"

I've found it by doing reverse regression testing on the reg-backup file from CCleaner (by hand). But in general you should be OK by importing this file: https://web.archive.org/web/20150124034505/http://windowsxp.mvps.org/reg/openas_win7.reg

– saulius2 – 2015-11-09T16:54:04.707

3And then what did you do? – Isaac Rabinovitch – 2012-12-02T22:19:17.310

Check files associations settings

Control Panel -> Default Programs -> Set Files Associations

There you can edit associations for each file type

Kami

Posted 2009-11-11T21:08:31.887

Reputation: 3 108

You missed the point. The problem is I don't get the standard Choose Default Program dialog for files with unknown (not associated) extensions. – Piotr Dobrogost – 2010-05-16T10:02:15.590