Can't change file association in Windows

[Muse]

Running XP Pro SP3, until today I had .txt files associated with metapad.exe, a free download. Worked just fine and I've used Metapad on my machines for years. Suddenly today, I open a .txt file and it's Notepad. I try to change the association to metapad and it doesn't work. The file doesn't open in metapad. Windows offers me notepad and wordpad. I tried my metapad folder in my downloads directory, put metapad.exe in the Windows folder, put the metapad directory under \Programs\, nothing worked. Metapad.exe itself opens if I double click the file. Suggestions? Do I have to reinstall Windows?

 

[JackMDS]

Try this, http://majorgeeks.com/FileTypesMan_d1061.html

 

[Muse]

Try this, http://majorgeeks.com/FileTypesMan_d1061.html

Well, I installed it but couldn't figure out what to do with it. I did use it to check out the settings in the registry and it showed that it was using System32's notepad.exe. Well, I have a copy of metapad.exe that I'd renamed "notepad.exe" and I replaced the notepad.exe in system32 with that file and now .txt files are opening with metapad. It says in the title bar that it's notepad, but it's actually metapad. Guess I should be happy with that. Wonder why this all happened...

 

[Muse]

Well, Windows is playing a shell game with me. I replaced the notepad.exe file (68 kb) with the metapad.exe one (88 kb) renamed notepad.exe, did it in Windows, System32 and System32\dllcache but no matter how many times I try, Windows comes up with the 68 kb version. I guess I'll have to check out the metapad documentation. The creator talks about replacing Windows' version of notepad with metapad. Maybe my Windows is too screwed up. Something weird's happening. :\

 

[Muse]

My .txt files are now opening with Metapad, not the renamed metapad, but the metapad.exe. I still don't see the option to open it with metapad in Open With.... I am flummoxed. :hmm:

 

[Paperlantern]

Youve went to control panel, folder options, file types and changed it there?

 

[Muse]

Youve went to control panel, folder options, file types and changed it there?

It wouldn't work. Really crazy. Used to work. I sense another XP reinstall is in my near future.