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Question Assigning specific file extensions to default program doesn't hold

V

videobruce

Golden Member
Yes, I know how to do it (all 3 methods) but when I point to the programs .exe it doesn't 'stick' in the dialog box. I've done it multiple times, same thing. It's like I never pointed W7's O/S to anything. This just stared a few days ago. No real idea what caused it. Specifically it is .pdf files, but document files were affected also, but for some reason I was able to re-assign that file type.

To make matters worse, I even went to the hassle to restore a image of the O/S I made almost 3 months ago and the same same thing!!
In fact, it was more than one type of file, but .pdf is the major issue.

When I choose the program, the pop-up box with all the other 'assigned' programs shows, but the one I tried to add doesn't get added to the list.
It's PDF Exchange (that I have used for years) is the specific program, but again, it's ALWAYS worked with NO issue. This image and what was the former current active version.

Again, any way I do this it fails. Then and now.

One more detail, I also lost the default programs for .txt (I use Notrebook2) and .odt (Open Office documents & Spreadsheets), but I was able to restore those.
All of this happened apparently one time again, in both W7 installations.
 
I'd either look into editing the registry keys, or try (uninstalling first?) reinstalling PDF xchange, except that you seem to be running the portable version. Is there any setting within PDF xchange to re-associate PDFs with it? If not, how about running the non-portable version if that exists?

Any guess how this happened? Possibly installing or uninstalling some MS Office product? I vaguely recall that there are some little apps out there that can change the default program associations, potentially among other tweaks they're capable of, but IDK which ones are best these days.
 
I have no problem running the portable application, then opening a .pdf file within it. There is no 'default' for .pdf files that I ever saw.
I looked at that Registry key with file associations and the .pdf is assigned to PDF x extension ok.

Unable to assign default programs Registry keys.png
 
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Try to create a new Windows user profile on the machine and log in to it. Does the problem still occur when you are using the new user profile?

If not, your original user profile is probably corrupted.
 
What I did just tried, I have a 2nd W7 Pro O/S as a backup (I've run a 2ndbackup drive for some time now, just in case).
I went to that drive (I'm using it now) and tried the same test. At the time nothing was assigned in that drive for .pdf files, I went thru the process and presto, it worked as it should. No errors or non reaction.
And this is using the exact same program, portable in the exact same backup partition that my main drive (O/S uses, the ONLY difference it's another W7 Pro x64 install.

I find it hard to believe I never opened a .pdf file in my main O/S in 3 months, so it may look like the problem was actually from 3 months ago based on the fact the backup image has the same problem.
 
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