SOLVED: get back my "Open with..."?

[Curt]

PROBLEM SOLVED 
--------------------

a crappy program removed all of my third party program's entries from my Vista's right-click context menu. I don't remember if my "Open with..." long ago was modified by a third-party program, (I am me, so I guess it was), but also "Open with..." has gone, from every file type that I have checked, and I have no idea how to get it back.

I really need to get back my "Open with..."! Please?  

[skwire]

Try following the instructions here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/218805

[Winkie]

Try following the instructions here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/218805

Thanks for the link, Skwire. Now I was able to finally fix this problem on my XP pc:

SYMPTOMS
When you double-click an unknown file type, an unexpected default action may occur.

[Curt]

Try following the instructions here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/218805

Use Registry Editor to examine the file association key for unknown file types:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command
The "default" value for this key should read:
C:\%windir%\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1

my Vista reads:
%SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1

I would guess it is the same? So the problem may have been caused elsewhere? Hmm...

Info:
There is also key with the name DelegateExecute. Its' value data:

{e44e9428-bdbc-4987-a099-40dc8fd255e7}

However, the one above is named openas and does not have any data defined. My guess would be that this could be the problem. But of course I have no idea what it maybe should read.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\







?  

[MilesAhead]

Curt I'd take a look at this tutorial:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/126340-open-add-program.html

Unfortunately they named the domain "vistax64" but it applies to all versions of Vista.  It's the best Vista specific site I've found.

[Curt]

Thank you, Miles

It looks almost dangerous...



I will take a closer look tomorrow when I have had some sleep!

[Winkie]

my Vista reads:
%SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1
I would guess it is the same?

They are the same, but when you can always try to subsitute both %Systemroot% for %WinDir%. That surprisingly fixed it on my XP!

[MilesAhead]

Thank you, Miles

It looks almost dangerous...



I will take a closer look tomorrow when I have had some sleep!

A good way to back up your registry hives short of a Restore Point is ERUNT.
Restoring the registry from it is much less involved than using a restore point.

http://larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

The dude Brink on the Vista site is in charge of the tutorials. He knows his stuff.  Still, it doesn't hurt to back up registry hives first. It's only around a 50 MB folder for a backup.

[sajman99]

Here is another resource. Supposedly the provided .reg file works on both Windows 7 and Vista.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52833-open-context-menu-item-add-remove.html

[Curt]

Here is another resource. Supposedly the provided .reg file works on both Windows 7 and Vista.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52833-open-context-menu-item-add-remove.html

PERFECT!! 

Many thanks to all of you for helping me out on this,
and one special extra Thank You to sajman99

[sajman99]

Curt, you're welcome. I'm glad to know the .reg file worked. 

[Curt]

NB! It should be noted that the registry keys (on the above shown screenshots) still are exactly as they were before the fix, because the address for the proper key was quite different:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]
@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With EncryptionMenu]
@="{A470F8CF-A1E8-4f65-8335-227475AA5C46}"

[Curt]

Disable / Restore "Send To..." system Menu:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/disable-the-send-to-folder-on-the-windows-explorer-context-menu/

[attachurl=#]

Tested on my 32-bits Vista

[MilesAhead]

This one can also be handy for shell context menu:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shell_menu_view.html

[Curt]

-yes, it is terrific, but maybe a little overwhelming, when looking at 296 items...

I use CFi ShellToys, which include the pictured bottom line, "Rarely Used..."

This is for a text file:

[attachimg=#]



This solution has turned out to be more trustworthy, because it doesn't alter or remove any keys, things are either 1) on display, 2) rarely used, or 3) hidden (edited: nothing is hidden in my setup).

[sajman99]

This one can also be handy for shell context menu:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shell_menu_view.html

Yep, and Nirsoft's ShellExView is another useful context tool.

Also, I have used OpenExpert on my XP machine for many years. Too bad this "Open with" replacement doesn't work on Vista/Win7.