Vista - This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action....

"This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create and association in the Set Associations control panel"

Hi everyone!
I have been having a problem with my computer for several days now. Opening all programs causes me to recieve this error message. I have to use right click + Run as Administrator to use any of my programs. I have done some forum surfing and tried several recommended techniques for correcting this problem but to no avail. I downloaded the exefix_vista reg file but the very same problem prevents me from merging it (I even tried fixing the reg extension but that failed aswell). I have run the sfc/scannow in command propmt but that came up empty. I would have fresh installed but I am away from home and do not have the means to reinstall vista. I apologize if this post seems in any way redundant but my forum searches have failed me. HELP! PLEASE!

Hello Jimonthy, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Have you already tried this?

http://www.winhelponline.com/article...plication.html

If yes, then you might see if you can do a System Restore at boot using a restore point dated before you had this problem.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi JimothyFredward , How about this;
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond! I really appreciate it! Unfortunately, none of the actions above solved my problem. I "System Restored" back to the earliest point available in my system but the problem was still present. In regards to exefix_cu.reg, I could not merge it as the problem will not allow me to use .reg either. When attempting to use REGEDIT.exe through command prompt I was yet again confronted with the same error.

I currently have attempted:
exefix_cu
exefix_vista
xp_exe_fix (I recognize that this an XP fix but at this point I am trying anything)
regfix_vista

None of the above have worked because they require me to merge a .reg which my unfortunate problem will not allow. Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

Jimonthy,

It sounds like you may have been infected by malware. I would recommend for you to run a very thorough antivirus and anti-spyware scan to help be safe.


For the .reg file extensions, open Default Programs and check to make sure that the .reg extension has the Current Program Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe) set for it. Afterwards, see if you can merge the reg file to fix the .exe file extension.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Have complete two full system scans with each of Spybot S&D and Ad-aware. None of the four scans came up with anything more serious than a few tracking cookies. Are there any other recommended ways to scan for malware (keeping in mind that I seem to be unable to install any new programs)?

I was successful in correcting my .reg problem by associating the .reg extension with Registry Editor. Unfortunately, none of the exefix files I have seem to be correcting the problem. Upon correcting the issues with my .reg files, my right-click menu no longer contained the "Merge" option but only "Open" (I'm not sure if this has any importance). I used "Open" and approved the registry changes but the problem is still present.

Sorry my computer is so difficult! Thank you for your suggestions!

Jimothy,

I would not use the XP methods in Vista, but use the ones for Vista instead.

http://www.winhelponline.com/article...plication.html


This is for any other file extensions that you are also unable to open.

http://www.winhelponline.com/article...ows-Vista.html


If after all of this, then your Vista may be to corrupted and may need to do a clean reinstall.

I would recommend a clean install.