"open with" - can't use unlisted apps

[Ally]

Here's what happens:

I select "open with" from some file's context menu in order to
change that filetype's default application, or "open" if the
extension hasn't been associated with anything yet.

Either way, a list of applications pops up, and in case the one
I'm looking for isn't among them, I click "Browse", locate my EXE
of choice, and select it --

-- so far, so good. Except the app I picked is promptly forgotten
again, and instead of my "new" app, the topmost item in the list
is highlighted. The "new" app is neither added to the list, nor
will it be used to open the file.

I can modify filetype associations just fine using Folder Options,
but I miss having the handy "open with" fly-out menu with
appropriate apps accumulated over time. Now only one app at a time
is known to open the filetype. (You can probably tell I don't
really know what's going on under the hood.)

The problem occurs regardless of user privileges (logged on as
admin right now, same behaviour). XP Pro, SP 1 & all critical
updates installed (-- unless some got lost in the shuffle. I lost
track).

Thanks for any help.
~Ally

 

[roger]

Hi Ally,

Try this reg script from Kelly:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/openwithrestore.reg

Good luck, hope this helps.

 

[Ally]

Hi Ally,

Try this reg script from Kelly:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/openwithrestore.reg

Good luck, hope this helps.

Mh, thanks. Doesn't seem to be working, though. Isn't this just for
restoring the "open with" option? It's never been gone. I had
already rummaged around on kellys-korner-xp.com and dougknox.com,
but no fix seemed to apply to my problem... ohwell.

~Ally

 

[roger]

Hi,

Mh, thanks. Doesn't seem to be working, though. Isn't this just for
restoring the "open with" option? It's never been gone. I had
already rummaged around on kellys-korner-xp.com and dougknox.com,
but no fix seemed to apply to my problem... ohwell.

~Ally

Sorry it didn't work.

Go to:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
Click "C" for Context Menu

"The new OpenExpert is the answer to this problem! Instead of messing
around with a fixed association of a file type with only one
application, it adds an "Open with" item to the context menu of the
chosen file type with all the applications you decide."

Hope this helps