Open With List

I hope someone can help me. I have Windows XP Sp2. I have all the current updates from Microsoft Update. I also have Norton Internet Security and Spyware Doctor running all the time.

Now to get to my current problem. When in My Documents and I click on a file then go to file to find the open with list, it isn't there. For instance, I have a Microsoft office imaging document that I want to open with Micosoft office imaging, but the open with list isn't there and the file open with Microsoft picture and fax viewer. How do I get the open with list back in my file menu?

I am really confused about this one. I don't know how it disappeared from the file menu.

I would appreciate anyones help with this.

 

Pete C.

Thanks for replying so quickly. I went to the site and paid for a month so I could see the solution. Now, I don't understand any of it. I'm terrified to do anything in the registry.

Here's the info from the site:
Title: Missing "Open With" option when right-clicking a highlighted file in Explorer
asked by astaec on 02/21/2005 08:26AM PST

This solution was worth 500 Points and received a grade of A



Running Windows XP SP2, always had this option to choose "open with" after highlighting a file and right-clicking it while holding CTRL; even after this system was upgraded to XP SP2, but suddenly the option is gone. Insight appreciated. There are times I want to over-ride the default application that handles some file types for a session only vs. reassigning the file type control permanently.
Thanks,
":0) Asta

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Assisted Answer from spiderfix
Date: 02/21/2005 09:23AM PST
Grade: A Assisted Answer

Your clicking on a *.exe file or a *.bat file when looking for Open With...

By XP default (security upgrade) the option to alter executables has been removed from
the right-click context menu. To alter the security on executables you need to remove
the "NoOpenWith" value to each individual *.exe your trying to modify.

regedit
hkey_classes_root\applications\
select the *.exe and remove the "NoOpenWith" value from the right side.

If you can't find the appropriate file you can search the registry for "NoOpenWith" and look
for it that way.

Accepted Answer from sramesh2k
Date: 02/21/2005 10:19AM PST
Grade: A Accepted Answer

Greetings Asta,

You may use this REG file to add a open-with option to the context menu, for all file types:

-----------------------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell\Open with\command]
@= "rundll32.exe C:\\Windows\\system32\\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1 "

-----------------------------------------------------

Assisted Answer from LRI41
Date: 02/22/2005 02:18PM PST
Grade: A Assisted Answer

sramesh2k

Can I ask you to clarify and/or make is simplier for
the simple minded, since I have substantially the same problem . My son said to take you string, copy and paste it into notepad and import it Does this string replace and exising string in the registry or do you just add in to the end of whatever is there. As you can see, I am no expert with respect to any registry problems. TIA

Assisted Answer from sramesh2k
Date: 02/22/2005 07:37PM PST
Grade: A Assisted Answer

Hi LRI41,

Your son is correct, that's the way the REG file is used. The REG file adds contents to the registry automatically.

How To Add, Modify, or Delete Registry Subkeys and Values by Using a Registration Entries (.reg) File:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310516

I apologize for not providing the above details in my previous post, as the question was asked by an another expert in computing, I'm sure Asta knew how to use REG files.

Comment from astaec
Date: 02/23/2005 05:58AM PST Author Comment

I increased points and shared them for the 'added value' to this question, which can help others now that it's in our PAQ. Thanks for 'reminding' me of the key, sramesh2k since my ideal was to re-apply the submenu option for all file types and my memory banks were clogged, LOL. Had the option configured for eons, but massive problems caused chaos which I've been fixing bit-by-bit since a badly ghosted fiasco some months ago on a very old test system.
":0) Asta

Comment from sramesh2k
Date: 02/23/2005 06:00AM PST Comment

You're welcome Asta, and good job done. VaPAQ (Value added PAQ)

Comment from astaec
Date: 02/23/2005 06:38AM PST Author Comment

LOL .... .thanks a bunch. UNFORTUNATELY, my registry is so corrupted, much more to be done; the values and keys are in "unknown "; from the problem Ghosting done... More to be fixed.

Comment from LRI41
Date: 02/23/2005 07:06AM PST Comment

astaec, I don't deserve any assist or points for my post, so I
am going to post in CS to have that withdrawn and the point
awarded to sramesh2k

Comment from astaec
Date: 02/23/2005 07:21AM PST Author Comment

I do appreciate your kind thoughts here, LRI41, but if it weren't for your question, the added value would not have been included, which can help others; and why I increased the value of this question. I thought that was an important trigger.

Off to find a good, safe Registry Cleaner for Windows XP SP2 that may help be fix some of the old residuals problems I see and for which I posted a slew of other questions here the past months.

Bottom line, for me, I'm grateful and fine with however this all pans out.

If you could help me make sense of all this I would appreciate it.

 

Pete C

I copied and saved the registry string to my Documents. I changed the name to OpenWith.reg. I double clicked and clicked ok. I go this message:

Cannot import C:\Documents and Settings\Robert and Vicki\My Documents\OpenWith.reg. The specified file is not registry script. You can only import binary files from with the registry editor.

I have XP Home Edition if that helps. Is there anything else I can do?

 

Pete C

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It worked, I can now open my documents with whatever program I want. Again, Thank You!