Windows XP 'Open With' context menu

[Psych]

I have XP Pro. When you right-click on a file, there is an option to bring up a window with different programs to open the file with. There are recurrent programs, recommended programs, and an option to browse and select a program from your computer in this big window. When you select a program from the browser, the file is supposed to open with that program once you exit the browser, but when I try to open with certain programs on my computer (most notibly Firefox and my Hex Editor), I am dumped back to the big window with the recurrent programs, recommended programs, and the option to browse.

My system is moderately tweaked and I have an extra compressed E:\ partition. Does anyone know why this is happening?

 

[Psych]

bump

 

[Psych]

bump

 

[geologist]

So you are saying that when you right-click a file, click open with, and select a program, instead of opening the program XP takes you back to the dialog box to select a program?

Are the programs listed or do you have to browse to them? I am thinking that if you have to browse to the program, maybe you are selecting a broken shortcut?

 

[Psych]

You basically got the right idea. They are not shortcuts, they are the original executables for Firefox and my Hex Editor.

It is supposed to automatically pass that file to the program you selected, but instead I am plopped back to the previous screen, and the program's executable doesn't even show up on the recent selections list! The stupidest thing about this is that it works for just about every other kind of executable. I could even give it fake .COMs and it would still work (by work I mean it crashes, but at least it got that far).

 

[Cat]

BUMP for this problem. I can't associate Firefox with XPI files. My coworkers computer can't associate / or change associations at all any more. It just got worse over time.

 

[Smilin]

Can't you just throw a shortcut to your app into your sendto folder?

All I really use it for is notepad, haven't tried much else.

 

[Cat]

It's extremely annoying to not have this feature working properly. Many applications aren't drag-and-drop aware, so just having the application open isn't enough. You have to then navigate (often across the network for me) to the file you already located.