Open With option

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stan
  • Start date Start date
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Stan

Using XP Home. When right clicking on a file one of the options is Open With
which lists the available programs one can use to open the file. I know how
to add to this list but cannot figure out how to remove any of the entries,
particularly duplicate entries. Can anyone come up with a solution? TIA.
Stan
 
Hi Wes:
Thank you for all the links and I'm sorry you went to all that bother but
the solution is quite intimidating to one of my limited knowledge and
capabilities. I especially don't want to mess with the Registry because I am
forwarned that I might have to reinstall the operating system if I mess up.
This is a case where the cure is worse than the disease. I was hoping there
was a simple easy way to achieve my goal. All things considered, I can live
with what I have but I do appreciate your help. Thanks again. Stan
 
Hi Stan,

Both of these are utilities (programs) no need to enter the registry
yourself.

[[When you right-click a file and choose open-with.. Choose Program option,
the open-with dialog box appears with the list of applications installed in
the system. This utility helps you show or hide an application entry in that
list of programs. You require Administrative privileges to run this utility,
as the settings are applied globally (not per-user)]]

Hide or show an application in the Open-with Choose Program dialog
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithchoose.htm


[[When you right click on a file in Windows XP, one of your options is Open
With. This listing of programs contains some that are predefined and some
that are added because you chose a program that wasn't on the list. Over
time this list can build up to quite a number of programs.

Clear Open With Lists will allow you to selectively remove the "dynamic"
portion of this list for a file extension that you choose (from a list).
Or, if you prefer, you can remove all "dynamic" entries for all file
extensions.

Future enhancements include the ability to select multiple extensions and/or
individual "dynamic" entries.

Operating System(s): Windows XP Only. This utility will run on other OS's,
but has not been verified to work. VB 6 Runtime library required (included
in Windows XP).]]

Clear Dynamic "Open With" Lists
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_open_with.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Stan,

Which entry is duplicated, and where? If you're referring to the open with
menu (different from the open with dialog), see the following link:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_open_with.htm
(This is the 3rd link in Wesley's post)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Hi Wes:
Thank you for all the links and I'm sorry you went to all that bother but
the solution is quite intimidating to one of my limited knowledge and
capabilities. I especially don't want to mess with the Registry because I am
forwarned that I might have to reinstall the operating system if I mess up.
This is a case where the cure is worse than the disease. I was hoping there
was a simple easy way to achieve my goal. All things considered, I can live
with what I have but I do appreciate your help. Thanks again. Stan
 
Wesley,

I have a similar problem as Stan. I have .xlr (Microsoft Works) files that
will not open. MS Works is not listed in the "Open With" list. How can I add
MS Works to the list? I tried this link
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithchoose.htm you suggested, but I didn't
think it was for my problem. Or, can I somehow get the .xlr's to open with MS
Excel (.xls)? Thanks


Wesley Vogel said:
Hi Stan,

Both of these are utilities (programs) no need to enter the registry
yourself.

[[When you right-click a file and choose open-with.. Choose Program option,
the open-with dialog box appears with the list of applications installed in
the system. This utility helps you show or hide an application entry in that
list of programs. You require Administrative privileges to run this utility,
as the settings are applied globally (not per-user)]]

Hide or show an application in the Open-with Choose Program dialog
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithchoose.htm


[[When you right click on a file in Windows XP, one of your options is Open
With. This listing of programs contains some that are predefined and some
that are added because you chose a program that wasn't on the list. Over
time this list can build up to quite a number of programs.

Clear Open With Lists will allow you to selectively remove the "dynamic"
portion of this list for a file extension that you choose (from a list).
Or, if you prefer, you can remove all "dynamic" entries for all file
extensions.

Future enhancements include the ability to select multiple extensions and/or
individual "dynamic" entries.

Operating System(s): Windows XP Only. This utility will run on other OS's,
but has not been verified to work. VB 6 Runtime library required (included
in Windows XP).]]

Clear Dynamic "Open With" Lists
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_open_with.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Stan said:
Hi Wes:
Thank you for all the links and I'm sorry you went to all that bother but
the solution is quite intimidating to one of my limited knowledge and
capabilities. I especially don't want to mess with the Registry because I
am forwarned that I might have to reinstall the operating system if I
mess up. This is a case where the cure is worse than the disease. I was
hoping there was a simple easy way to achieve my goal. All things
considered, I can live with what I have but I do appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Rudy49,

Reinstalling MS Works will automatically register with the Open with dialog.
That's the easiest option.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Wesley,

I have a similar problem as Stan. I have .xlr (Microsoft Works) files that
will not open. MS Works is not listed in the "Open With" list. How can I add
MS Works to the list? I tried this link
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithchoose.htm you suggested, but I didn't
think it was for my problem. Or, can I somehow get the .xlr's to open with
MS
Excel (.xls)? Thanks
 
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