“Open With” dialog ignores my selection

Question

I am running Windows 7 x64. I have a file type that I want to associate with Microsoft Access 2003.

I right-click on the file and select Open With->Choose Default program. In the "Open With" dialog, I select the browse button. I choose Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office11\msaccess.exe and press "Open".

I end up back at the "Open With" dialog, but nothing has changed. Access is not listed as a program to use to open the file with. The original program (Adobe Acrobat) that is associated with this program is still selected.

Any tips on getting this association to work?

Answer 1

If all fails, you can edit the registry manually (backup the the hive/key first):

Each file type (extension) which has an associated application has a Registry key under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.

Or use FileAsoc, a Windows File Association Editor

FileAsoc is open source freeware.

Or File Type Doctor, which is part of the Creative Element Power Tools (shareware)

Answer 2

The cause is most likely a quirk in the registry that slipped in for some unknown reason.

Make sure the key value in the following location contains the correct path:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\YOURFILE.EXE\shell\open\command

Search for the application name and the file extension in the registry to see if other entries are possibly corrupted as well.

Answer 3

I have seen cases where some dialogs don't prompt you for security elevation and do not give you a message that the change could not be made. Try doing it through control panel

Control Panel -> Programs -> Default Programs -> Set Associations

Or just type "file open" into the start menu search and choose "Make a file type always open with a certain program"