"Folder Options" folder "does not have a program associated with i

[Angelica]

When I open "Control Panel," the "Folder Options" folder is displayed, but if
I click on it, it produces a message that "This file does not have a program
associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the
Folder Options control panel."
.... But it IS the Folder Options control panel! What can I do to fix it?

 

[Elmo]

When I open "Control Panel," the "Folder Options" folder is displayed, but if
I click on it, it produces a message that "This file does not have a program
associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the
Folder Options control panel."
... But it IS the Folder Options control panel! What can I do to fix it?

http://dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

The CPL file association fix is a .reg file stored within a zip file.
So, download the .zip, open the .zip and merge the .reg file.

 

[Angelica]

What I'm asking may be as clear as daylight to someone with experience in
this, but I'm truly confused.

I downloaded the zip file, clicked on it - it warned me that it wasn't
verified but I accepted anyway - then it asked if I wanted to save it in a
specific location (C: something something then temp/temp registry/something),
to which I replied "yes" and it said it was successfully added... so I went
to Folder Options, clicked on it - and I'm right back where I started (i.e.
still no folder associated with it).

Did I do something wrong or was something else the cause?

 

[Elmo]

What I'm asking may be as clear as daylight to someone with experience in
this, but I'm truly confused.

I downloaded the zip file, clicked on it - it warned me that it wasn't
verified but I accepted anyway - then it asked if I wanted to save it in a
specific location (C: something something then temp/temp registry/something),
to which I replied "yes" and it said it was successfully added... so I went
to Folder Options, clicked on it - and I'm right back where I started (i.e.
still no folder associated with it).

Did I do something wrong or was something else the cause?

If you right-click the .reg file, there should be a Merge option. Click
it to repair the association. It's possible that won't fix your problem
though.. it was just a thought.

 

[Angelica]

I truly appreciate your help and time but even though I "merged" it like you
advised, it's still not recognizing the file association...

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Click Start, Run. Type:

"control folders"

Press ENTER.

Does that work?

--
Regards,

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

 

[Elmo]

I truly appreciate your help and time but even though I "merged" it like you
advised, it's still not recognizing the file association...

It might be a new virus trick. Please try these tweaks too:

368. Folder Options/View Empty - Restore Now
225. Restore Folder Options/Internet Options - Disable
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Folder Options help is 3/4 the way down this page:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_f.htm